Dispersed camping near Greenbank, Washington requires planning for varied terrain and seasonal conditions. Sites around Whidbey Island can be accessed by boat, kayak, hiking trails, or forest roads depending on location. The region experiences mild but wet winters with summer temperatures averaging 65-75°F, making June through September the most favorable camping season for most locations.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Point Doughty, visitors can observe marine wildlife from their campsites. "Two orca whales cavorted just 100' off and a stellar sea lion, harbor seals and many sea bird varieties provided fantastic entertainment," notes one camper at Point Doughty.
Kayaking excursions: Hope Island Marine State Park offers a unique paddle-in camping experience accessible by watercraft only. A visitor reports, "Rent kayaks (or bring your own) at Boston Harbor in Olympia. It's a short trip to the island, which is only accessible by boat. I was worried, with only four camping spots, that we wouldn't get one, but we ended up being the only people on the island," according to a camper at Hope Island Marine State Park.
Hiking nearby trails: Lake Angeles in Olympic National Park provides backcountry camping accessed via a challenging trail. "Hike is about 4 miles from the trailhead with ~2,500ft of elevation gain. Trailhead is right by the toll booths for the park," explains a visitor to this remote location.
What campers like
Waterfront camping: Mountain Loop Highway dispersed camping offers sites along waterways. One camper notes, "Easy enough to access right off the mountain loop highway. Meandering sites along the river with good logs for benches and fire rings made from forest rocks," about their experience at Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp.
Island solitude: The isolation of boat-in camping creates unique experiences away from crowds. A visitor to Hope Island shared, "We ended up being the only people on the island. Boston Harbor rents both doubles and singles and this was an easy and un-intimidating introduction to kayaking."
Forest settings: Forest road camping like NF-27 Tunnel Creek provides wooded sites with established camping areas. "The drive up to this road is half paved and unpaved, not too bumpy. Big area for camp - dry camping. There was already a fire ring made," reports a camper who stayed at NF-27 Tunnel Creek.
What you should know
Site accessibility challenges: Many boat-in camping locations require planning for landing conditions. At Point Doughty, "During low tide it is very rocky and tough on fiberglass kayaks, but there's a small path that can launch one or two kayaks at a time."
Weather considerations: Wind and water conditions affect boat-in camping safety and comfort. A visitor to Large Pull Out (Dispersed) on FR 24 advised checking conditions, noting, "The road itself is a gorgeous drive and since it's free it's worth it!"
Facility limitations: Most dispersed sites lack amenities and require self-sufficiency. At Lake Angeles, one camper advises, "Primitive campground, so bring your own water, trowel, tp, everything!!"
Seasonal insects: Mosquitoes are common at forest sites during summer months. A visitor to NF-27 Tunnel Creek reported, "Lots of mosquitoes around," highlighting the need for insect protection.
Tips for camping with families
Site privacy issues: Some locations experience heavy trail traffic through camping areas. At Pine Lake Campground, a camper warns, "Cute sites, but you will be interrupted 500 times a day with walkers who use the trail and want to go straight through your site."
Trail difficulty ratings: When hiking to campsites with children, consider elevation gain and distance. Lake Angeles requires a strenuous hike that may challenge younger hikers, with "about 4 miles from the trailhead with ~2,500ft of elevation gain."
Wildlife awareness: Familiarize children with local wildlife expectations and safety protocols. At Hope Island, one camper mentioned, "There were raccoons on the island with us but other than that we had the place to ourselves."
Tips from RVers
Pull-out options: Forest road pull-outs accommodate smaller RVs without designated campgrounds. A camper at Large Pull Out (Dispersed) on FR 24 noted, "There was a handful of large pull out spots along this road. Nothing fancy and not secluded but got the job done."
Road condition awareness: Access roads to dispersed camping vary in quality and maintenance. One visitor to NF-27 Tunnel Creek described, "The drive up to this road is half paved and unpaved, not too bumpy," which indicates suitability for smaller RVs but potential challenges for larger rigs.
Limited amenities: RVers must plan for self-contained camping without hookups or facilities. Most dispersed camping options near Greenbank lack water, electric, and sewer connections, requiring campers to bring all necessary supplies and properly manage waste.
