The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Friday Harbor, WA

997 Reviews

Tent camping around the San Juan Islands is concentrated across several marine state parks accessible primarily by boat from Friday Harbor, Washington. Jones Island Marine State Park, Turn Island State Park, and Stuart Island Marine State Park offer tent-only sites that serve as popular destinations for kayakers and small boat enthusiasts exploring the archipelago. Most campgrounds in this island network are primitive in nature, requiring self-sufficient camping preparations and adherence to leave-no-trace principles.

Campers accessing these marine state park tent sites need to prepare for minimal facilities and boat-in access requirements. The majority of tent campgrounds feature composting or vault toilets, but limited or no drinking water sources. Many sites require campers to store food in hard-sided containers due to active raccoon populations, particularly at Turn Island State Park. Sites typically include picnic tables and fire rings, though seasonal fire bans may apply depending on conditions. Tent pads are generally situated on natural surfaces, with some offering beach access or forest settings. One camper noted that "the raccoon situation is serious, they know how to get into your food. All food should be in hard sided containers, or boat hatches."

Areas farther from the main islands offer deeper seclusion and wilderness-style backcountry tent camping. The tent sites on Jones Island provide exceptional sunset views and wildlife viewing opportunities, while Turn Island's proximity to Friday Harbor means more boat traffic but easier accessibility for short primitive tent camping trips. Several of the marine state parks feature hiking trails that circle the islands, offering opportunities to explore beyond the immediate tent sites. Sucia Island Marine State Park receives particularly high ratings from tent campers who appreciate its pristine setting. A visitor commented that Jones Island offers "the best sunset view in the San Juan Islands off the most SW side. I have seen orcas 300 feet away from the fire ring fishing off the eddylines."

Map showing campgrounds near Friday Harbor, WashingtonExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Friday Harbor, Washington (55)

    1. Jones Island Marine State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Deer Harbor, WA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 378-2044

    $12 / night

    "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."

    2. Odlin County Park Camping - Lopez Island

    6 Reviews
    Lopez Island, WA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 378-8420

    "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."

    "It has waterfront with beach, campsites are neat and restroom is better other campsites! This place is perfect for who goes on bikepacking or using car to camping there."

    3. Mountain Lake Campground — Moran State Park

    12 Reviews
    Olga, WA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 376-2326

    "The way the campsites are tiered allows for a sense of seclusion even with neighbors on all sides. "

    "We were in site 22, right on the water (but also right next to the access road.) There is a lovely 3 mile hike around the lake with a fun bridge to jump off of to swim."

    4. Shaw Island County Park

    4 Reviews
    Lopez Island, WA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 378-8420

    "Just across the Channel from Lopez, the park located in Indian Cover makes a great stopping point between Odlin or Spencer's Spit and Turn Island/Friday Harbor."

    5. Obstruction Pass State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Olga, WA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 902-8844

    "My twelve year old wanted to try backpacking, but not hike too far. My wife didn't want us to get eaten by bears. The solution? Obstruction Pass!"

    "I kayaked in to this campground and though it's an awesome location it was a bit disappointing."

    6. Turn Island State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Lopez Island, WA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 902-8844

    "This island is just east of San Juan Island and about 3.5 miles from Friday Harbor. It offers two beaches for camping."

    "And the raccoons as cute as they are will walk up to your campsite right in front of you and steal your food."

    7. Stuart Island Marine State Park Campground

    4 Reviews
    Deer Harbor, WA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 902-8844

    $12 / night

    "We headed to here from Friday Harbor at the San Juan County launch. We came in through Reid Harbor and stayed on the left side in site 12 I believe. Whichever is the first site over there."

    "The vault toilet was clean and there was a composting area close to that. The campsites were large; we were able to fit 8 tents in two sites, and took over a third site for cooking and eating."

    8. Griffin Bay Campground

    1 Review
    Friday Harbor, WA
    5 miles
    Website

    "Nice, quaint campground away from most other campers and is on DNR land. The campsites are nicely trimmed and easily accessible from the beach."

    9. Blind Island Marine State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Deer Harbor, WA
    7 miles
    +1 (360) 902-8844

    10. Sucia Island Marine State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Eastsound, WA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 376-2073

    "Madrona trees around every corner. And your choice between perfect privacy or a few neighbors. This island is amazing!"

    "The Caves are fun to climb around in and have a fun history of hiding smugglers."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 55 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Friday Harbor Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Friday Harbor, WA

82 Photos of 55 Friday Harbor Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Friday Harbor, WA

997 Reviews of 55 Friday Harbor Campgrounds

  • JP C.
    Sep. 22, 2022

    Jones Island Marine State Park Campground

    Would love to go back

    We camped there doing a guided kayak 3 days trip from Friday Harbor in June of 2022. Weather had been iffy the prior few days but we end up being lucky and had close to perfect weather for our short trip. We camped on the north east side of the island, next the marina, to be protected from the heavy wind that was coming from the west that weekend.

  • Taylor C.
    Jul. 1, 2025

    Stuart Island Marine State Park Campground

    Kayak trip!

    We headed to here from Friday Harbor at the San Juan County launch. We came in through Reid Harbor and stayed on the left side in site 12 I believe. Whichever is the first site over there. You do have service for ATT, not strong everywhere but pretty good! They have pit toilets and potable water. We hiked to the schoolhouse and the lighthouse. It was about 5-5.5 miles round trip. Weather was pretty chilly at night but not unbearable. Raccoons are really bad! Put up all your food. Saw several deer while here too. Lots of wildlife… 2 harbor seals stayed in the harbor the whole weekend. Saw several bald eagles. Saw a river otter and several raccoons.

  • Elise M.
    Aug. 11, 2020

    Harry Osborne State Forest - TEMPORARILY CLOSED 2023

    Quiet and Lots of Space

    Great place to bring your LQ (any size rig) and camp with your horses. There are a few non-equestrians, but we need to keep this a place for equestrians because we are losing more and more campsites.  Trails are well maintained and extensive.

    No water or electric at the camp, but you can drive down to a creek and pump or collect water for your horses. You will be boondocking.

    High-line poles are available to high-tie your horses. We set up a portable corral and were fine. Picnic tables and fire rings are also available.

    No manure pile or wheel barrow. There is a vault toilet and I got cell service on my phone.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2016

    Turn Island State Park Campground

    Amazing sunrise photo opps!

    This island is just east of San Juan Island and about 3.5 miles from Friday Harbor. It offers two beaches for camping. The north beach has at least 4 mooring buoys for sailing or motor vessels, in addition to nice beach sites. The west beach is better for sea kayak landing or small boat haul up, with about 12 or so sites. Great for sunset or sunrise.

    No water or power is available at this island, however the composting toilets are kept clean, and the island is extremely cute. Be forewarned the raccoon situation is serious, they know how to get into your food. All food should be in hard sided containers, or boat hatches. We flipped our boats over on the beach after witnessing 2 big fellas trying to pull at the hatch covers.

    Cost: $12 /night

  • Stephanie R.
    Oct. 9, 2021

    Washington Park Campground

    Beautifully forested, quiet spot - does have electric hookups

    We made a last minute decision to stay here, when our ferry from Friday Harbor was delayed by several hours. Very quiet campground, with lots of trees. Bathrooms do have showers as well. And despite details on this site, RV sites do have electric hook up as well. It was absolutely everything that we could have hoped for, for a very good price.

  • Ariel & John W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Heart O' the Hills Campground — Olympic National Park

    Beautiful clean primitive campgrounds

    In the Olympic NP, close to Hurricane Ridge to the south, 15 min to town of Port Ángeles to the north. Camped in loop C. Had a beautiful private site. Old growth forest and hiking trails all around. No hookups, no dump station. Each site has fire ring, picnic table. Each loop has a clean, powered, plumbed bathroom, no showers. Would camp again.

  • H
    Sep. 22, 2022

    Deception Pass State Park Campground

    Cozy campsites !

    There were SO MANY available campsites when we got there. About mid afternoon. The ranger was super friendly and welcoming! The bathrooms were nice and had showers that require tokens that you can buy with your site at check in. The sites vary in size and shape but most of them are decently private/ spaced apart. The site next to us never got booked, probably because it was small, but it was nice for us because it was only a few bushes away. Sites include a picnic table and fire ring with grill grate . There was a trail to the beach not far from us and it was super nice. Although there are plenty of signs that require dogs to be on leashes most people did not adhere to those rules, so keep an eye out if you're bringing the doggos. Very family friendly, very cozy, very nice stay!

  • Karen H.
    Oct. 4, 2020

    Whiskey Creek Beach NW

    Unexpected Gem

    Despite the poor weather, I couldn't have been happier with my Whiskey Creek Beach camping experience. From the views, adequately spaced tent sites, steel fire pits, potable water, picnics table, Adirondack chairs and shower access, this was a perfect getaway for this solo, 50-something, female camper, accompanied only by her chow-chow . I was able to finally fulfill my dream of camping along the shore. 

    One of the amazing features for those camping at the shorefront sites (T9, T10, T12) are the elevated, 12×14 decks that serve as your tent pad; No need to worry about a tarp placement beneath the tent. Metal cleets are placed around the deck stucture that you can use as tie downs for your tent and fly. These were useful for my additional tarp as I had to contend with mostly adverse weather conditions.The hosts have also provided, for your convenience, additional tie downs in case of high winds. Side Note: with the set up I created, I never once, had to contend with tent leakage, from the top or bottom. 

    There is a small, single shower hut apx. 30 yards from the tent site. It is an off the grid shower, but extremely clean, and has running hot water. The cost was $5.00 for unlimited use. The outhouse for the sites, next to the shower hut, is rather old, and was, in my opinion, the only drawback. There is, however, a newer flush toilet up a small hill near the site which I found myself gravitating to. 

    The hosts were extremely helpful and responsive. The area has a secure access gate. Firewood is available for sale at a cost of $4.99. The small town of Joyce is but a 10 minute drive where you will find an extremely well stocked old timey general store, two quaint resturaunts, and a laundromat, a huge bonus as I was on an extended stay of seven days.

    For those inclined to explore the region, you are well within driving distance to some of Washington's exceptiinally breathtaking hikes, including Hurricane Ridge, The Ozette Triangle, and Cape Flattery.

  • Travis D.
    Aug. 6, 2017

    Deception Pass State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Green Goo at Deception Pass State Park Hike-In Campground

    Campground Review

    My three-year-old and I backpacked in and it was amazing. Crazy crowded and crazy loud with the military jets overhead (Naval Air Base nearby) – but beautiful none the less. It’s good to note that the jets do shut off around 5 pm and there is plenty of quite time from that point on. But be prepared during the day for some ear splitting noise - I would actually advise ear plugs!

    We hiked in for the adventure, but also because all the drive-in sites were reserved. They have several secluded campsites set aside for hikers and bikers, and they were totally worth the work. We ended up in site #233 and it was perfect. Totally tucked away in the trees with soft ground and simple surroundings. If you plan to hike or bike in and use these spots, get there as early as you can. All the sites got used and several folks who showed up toward evening didn’t get spots. We walked around to see all the drive-in spots and there are some pretty nice ones, but none as secluded as the hike/bike spots. The hike in from the northern park boundary is amazingly beautiful and it sure makes you appreciate the spot once you get there.

    There are trails everywhere from the campsites, but most importantly down to the beach and Cranberry Lake. I must say it’s quite amazing to sleep amongst the tall trees of the forest and then meander down to the beach to play! Cranberry Lake has a designated swimming area where the water is super shallow and just perfect for the kiddos.

    Amazing beauty and well worth the experience!

    Product Review

    Green Goo – Multiple Products

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time – on this trip I tested the amazing variety of salve and such from Green Goo. I made sure to take the salve for Dry Skin, Foot Care, and Pain Relief – all great stuff for backpacking! One feature I really like about the salves is the tin, they are perfect for stuffing in a little side pocket of your pack and don’t add much weight at all. It was heavenly to rub the balm into sore muscles and feet after we set up camp and recovered from the hike. The foot care stuff is especially helpful for me since my heels crack so bad. This stuff has really made a difference for my heels like nothing I’ve tried before. My daughter is a pretty rough and tumble little adventure seeker and has never been without some sort of scrape, scratch, or bump from climbing everything and running everywhere – the Skin Repair tin gets multiple uses daily – and it really does help heal her up quick. Overall – this stuff rocks, I’m totally sold on it and can’t wait to try other products from the company!

Guide to Friday Harbor

Tent camping near Friday Harbor, Washington, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the great outdoors.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Some prices for tent camping range from $12 to $25

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Friday Harbor, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Friday Harbor, WA is Jones Island Marine State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Friday Harbor, WA?

TheDyrt.com has all 55 tent camping locations near Friday Harbor, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring