210 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The San Juan Islands surrounding Friday Harbor, Washington feature a mix of established campgrounds and marine-accessible sites, creating a distinctive island camping experience. San Juan County Park, located on the western side of San Juan Island, offers grassy waterfront sites with sunset views and basic facilities including real bathrooms but no showers. Approximately 10 minutes from downtown Friday Harbor, Lakedale Resort provides diverse accommodation options from traditional tent sites to glamping yurts with amenities like hot showers. For boat and kayak enthusiasts, several marine state parks including Turn Island (3.5 miles from Friday Harbor) and Jones Island offer more primitive camping experiences with composting toilets and limited facilities.
Ferry access significantly shapes the camping experience in the Friday Harbor region, with advance planning essential during summer months when sailings frequently reach capacity. A Washington State Discover Pass ($30 annually) is required at most county and state campgrounds in the area. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with westerly winds sometimes creating challenging conditions for kayakers and boaters. As one camper noted, "We camped on the north east side of Jones Island, next the marina, to be protected from the heavy wind that was coming from the west." Wildlife encounters are common, with raccoons presenting a particular challenge. According to a Turn Island visitor, "The raccoon situation is serious, they know how to get into your food. All food should be in hard sided containers."
Marine-based camping sites receive consistently high ratings from visitors who appreciate the combination of water access and natural settings. Stuart Island Marine State Park offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, with campers reporting sightings of harbor seals, bald eagles, river otters, and deer. The islands' beaches transform with tidal changes, creating unique exploration opportunities. Shaw Island County Park features what locals describe as "some of the warmest swimming you'll find in the San Juan Islands" as incoming tides warm over sun-heated sand flats. Cell service varies considerably between islands and campgrounds, with some remote areas having limited or no coverage. Most campgrounds require bringing all necessary supplies, as one reviewer advised: "Get on the ferry with a full tank of gas and all you think you'll need."
"Some trails walking distance from the campsite to gorgeous beaches while others we drove to get to other trails and scenic lookouts. I loved every minute staying there."
"This is one of the most popular locations in Washington State and easy to see why. Both fresh and salt water experiences are within a few steps away with amazing sunsets and breathtaking views."
from $12 - $167 / night
Check Availability"Friday Harbor is famous for whale watching and views of Olympic National Park and Vancouver."
"San Juan Island Washington Is THE Emerald Gem of this state!! If you ever want to find heaven on earth this is it!!"
"About 10 minutes to Friday Harbor and 10 minutes to English Camp. Great spot on the lakes, lots of different options from tents, to hook ups to cabins to canvas tents etc. Hot showers for a price!"
"The campground has a great location and is easily accessible from all that the San Juan Island has to offer."
"We enjoyed our stay at this campsite, but do note it is on the opposite side of the island from the ferry terminal, so you need to drive there."
"I was able to snag one of the amazing sites on the lake. It sits down from the road and an embankment so there is a level of privacy from the road, but not your neighboring sites."
from $31 - $51 / night
Check Availability"Like all of the sites in the Washington Marine Island state park system, this spot has toilets and well maintained sites."
"The majority of the campsites are up a steep hill away from the water and the precious few sites along the water fill up fast (like 6 months in advance)."
from $12 - $70 / night
Check Availability"There are great hikes all around, we walked around the lake and plopped our canoe in right from the site to go explore around."
"Situated on a small peninsula on gorgeous mountain lake. Great fishing and kayaking. Hiking trail right outside you your campsite. Put toilet only, no room for RV’s or campers."
from $43 / night
Check Availability"We camped there doing a guided kayak 3 days trip from Friday Harbor in June of 2022."
"I have seen orcas 300 feet away from the fire ring fishing off the eddylines. Seals often gather here to feed and play in the eddy."
from $23 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Watmough Beach on the southern end of the island is a 300 yard flat hike/walk to stunning cliff views and a great Cell coverage was spotty throughout the camp. AT&T was mostly available but slow."
"There are plenty of beach sites, a few are “walk-in” – which just means that you can’t park your car there. There are lots of forested sites which offer more privacy than the beach."
"Lots of the spots have huge forested areas behind them. Was easy walking distance to the lake where you can rent kayaks and paddle boards or lounge on the beach."
"Its tucked away in the woods. There are usually deer in the morning. So be sure to pack away food. The bathrooms are well maintained. It is well worth the hike to the lookout on the mountain."
from $31 - $43 / night
Check Availability"Northend is close to the public beach, which has a sandy swimming area, snack bar, and boat rentals. The site is at a trailhead to walk around Cascade Lake or down to Rosario."
"Decent campsites located right after the entrance to Moran State Park."
from $31 - $51 / night
Check Availability
GuideWe needed a place for the night before hitting North Cascade NP, we were able to pull into the rest areas last spot. A lot of semi's so it's loud if you're in between them but you get used to it after some time
ScoutHikes and beach walking distance from campground, but you hear the road and train at all hours
GuideLeft for the evening for dinner got back and someone stole our stuff smart enough to not leave anything too valuable homeless living in area?
GuideSign states you can only stay here for 8hrs, a few cars look like they may live here.
Right off 101 and you can hear every car.
They have about 5 spots for an RV.
GuideHIGHLY recommend site 33 as it is secluded! Once in the site, I could not really see my neighbors. And this site was huge! I was in the Forest loop, which was lovely. Probably not for big trailers like 5th wheels or longer bumper pulls as the road through is very narrow and campsites are between big trees. It was perfect for my little 18 foot teardrop though. No playground. Good cell service. Here's the thing though, this is pretty much right next to NAS Whidbey so if jet noise bothers you, don't camp here. They were not doing night ops while we were there, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.
ScoutHad everything for camping especially a quick walk to the water!
TravelerI travel for a living and spend multiple months—or even years—at different parks. This one was amazing. The staff and the people were incredibly friendly, which actually made it hard to leave when it came time to move to another park in a different state. I would definitely consider moving back here when I reach retirement.
GuideWiFi only at the office. Restaurant ($24 hamburger) on site. Small store with an ice cream bar. Boat rental available. Located on the lake. Water and electric only at sites (dump available) $65 per night. A great place to bring the kids.
ScoutBeautiful location and lots of services available on site and strong WiFi through the grounds. Camp for two days here on the weekend.
Camping options near Friday Harbor, Washington revolve around the unique marine landscape of the San Juan Islands, with sites accessible by ferry, car, and small watercraft. Friday Harbor sits at sea level with most campgrounds within 10 miles of town. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-75°F with cooler evenings, and campgrounds experience strong westerly winds that demand proper tent staking and rain protection even during peak season.
Wildlife watching from shorelines: Jones Island Marine State Park offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities from its western shore. "I have seen orcas 300 feet away from the fire ring fishing off the eddylines. Seals often gather here to feed and play in the eddy. I have even seen humpback whales near the location from sea kayak," notes one visitor who led commercial trips to the island.
Kayaking to remote sites: For paddlers seeking solitude, the islands offer many water-accessible campsites. "Jones Island has three access points. The southern cove has buoys, anchorage, and an easy beach to land on," explains a kayaker. These marine parks require self-sufficiency and proper planning.
Hiking island trails: Moran State Park on Orcas Island provides extensive trail networks. "The island has a fun vibe, and is located in the rain shadow of the Olympics so we had great weather. We camped on a lake that had easy trailhead access to the peak of Mt. Constitution, an easy/moderate hike with excellent views," shares one camper who hiked from the campground.
Protected campsites: Wind protection ranks high on campers' priorities. "I camped on the north east side of Jones Island, next the marina, to be protected from the heavy wind that was coming from the west that weekend," reports a kayaker who carefully selected their site based on weather conditions.
Warm swimming areas: Spencer Spit State Park Campground on Lopez Island offers beach access that warms nicely in summer. "There's lots of beach access and amazing views north, south, and west," notes a camper. The park's lagoon area provides sheltered water exploration and wildlife viewing.
Spacious group sites: Odlin County Park on Lopez Island ranks highly for group camping. "The sites are large and well appointed, ours was in a nice wooded area, had two picnic tables, a nice fire pit with grill and multiple flat spots for our tent," reports one camper, though they noted the sites don't offer extensive privacy.
Ferry planning requirements: Reservations for ferries to the islands are essential, particularly during summer. "Reservations are HIGHLY recommended prior to arriving on the island for any type of accommodation," states a visitor to Lakedale Resort. Ferry waits can exceed three hours without reservations during peak season.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies dramatically between islands and campgrounds. "There isn't much (or any) cell service in the area," reports a camper at Lakedale Resort. Others note that AT&T sometimes works when Verizon doesn't, and higher elevations offer better chances for connection.
Wildlife precautions: Food storage concerns extend beyond bears in this region. "The raccoon situation is serious, they know how to get into your food. All food should be in hard sided containers," warns a camper. Deer are abundant throughout the islands and frequently wander through campsites.
Beach-to-forest options: San Juan County Park combines forest camping with beach access. "The sites themselves are great as well. Perfect size. The only noise you hear regularly is the wind and waves. The bluff is perfect for frizbee, football, soccer, sunbathing, watching the water traffic and sometimes Orcas!" explains a long-time visitor.
Lake activities for children: Cascade Lake at Moran State Park offers family-friendly water access. "My 2 year old spent the entire weekend wading around the shallows," notes a parent who found the shallow entry perfect for toddlers. The park rents kayaks and paddleboards from the day-use area.
Plan for rainy days: Weather in the San Juans changes rapidly. "We were soaked the entire time - granted we were fully expecting that going in February," shares a winter camper at Moran State Park who came prepared with appropriate rain gear and still enjoyed their stay.
Limited hookup options: Deception Pass State Park offers one of the more RV-friendly options in the region. "Most of RV sites looked great & we loved ours," reports one RVer who stayed at the park. However, reservations are essential as RV sites are limited throughout the islands.
Consider site leveling: Many campgrounds sit on uneven terrain. "The campground is very hilly, which can make for a hike to bathrooms in the night if that is a consideration for you. The sites are not level, we wished we carried leveling blocks in our van," notes a visitor to Moran State Park.
Ferry size limitations: RVers must verify ferry capacity limits before arrival. Larger RVs may require advance arrangements and special boarding procedures, with height restrictions typically around 13 feet and length limitations that vary by vessel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Friday Harbor, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Friday Harbor, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 210 campgrounds and RV parks near Friday Harbor, WA and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Friday Harbor, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Friday Harbor, WA is Deception Pass State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 111 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Friday Harbor, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Friday Harbor, WA.
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