Tent camping near Hamilton, Washington provides access to the North Cascades ecosystem with elevations ranging from 300 to 5,000 feet within a 20-mile radius. The area receives approximately 65 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush forest conditions and seasonal water sources. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F with cooler nights in higher elevation camping areas.
What to do
Hiking to alpine lakes: The trail to Anderson and Watson Lakes Hike-In offers a moderate 2.5-mile trek with significant elevation changes. "There is a lot more up and down than I was anticipating on this trip. The best campsites are at the Upper Watson Lake and it is first come, first serve," notes camper Danielle S.
Backpacking for beginners: The trail to Anderson Point Campsite provides an accessible entry point for novice backpackers. "After a short and easy hike on the Baker Lake trail you arrive at Anderson Point, an area of scattered camp sites next to Baker Lake with stunning views of Koma Kulshan (Mt. Baker)," writes Alex T., who recommends weekday visits for greater privacy.
Wild berry picking: In late summer, trails near Baker Lake yield seasonal harvests. A visitor to Maple Grove Campsites observed, "Plenty of wild berries, flowers, and ferns along the way. We had fun just relaxing under the Big Leaf Maple trees."
What campers like
Lakeside camping: Waterfront sites at Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite provide direct lake access without reservations. "Spots are not near each other so you get privacy that way. A lot of through traffic because of the hikes nearby and the sites are right on the road," notes Alaina I. Another camper adds, "If you think all the spots are taken, keep driving. So many spots along Baker Lake Road."
Secluded tent sites: Park Butte Trailhead offers higher-elevation camping with strategic positioning. "We chose to stay at one that had more exposure but was closer to the fire lookout... It was fairly windy but gorgeous with a great view of the sunset," reports Megan D.
Convenient locations: Squire Creek Park & Campground serves as a strategic base for exploring regional trails. Annie B. describes it as "Reservable campsites, mature forest, 2 hours from Seattle, not full on Labor Day weekend! I didn't know that existed."
What you should know
Bridge closures: Access to some trailheads requires additional planning. A recent visitor to Blue Lake BackCountry Campsites warns, "The bridge over the nooksack River on Forest service road 12 has been out for the last few years. You can park there and walk across it or ride a bicycle or an e-bike or maybe a small ATV but they are not planning to repair it at all."
Limited facilities: Many dispersed sites lack basic infrastructure. At Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite, Sarah S. notes camping is "Quiet and beautiful views! We parked our vehicle off the road at the top of the flat and walked down to the lake for sunrises and sets."
Road conditions: Access to certain camping areas involves rough driving surfaces. The route to Anderson and Watson Lakes includes "10 miles up a pot-hole strewn road," according to Danielle S., who adds "you have a lengthy drive just to get to the dirt road. But the trip is worth it."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly backpacking: Some trails offer perfect introductory backpacking for young children. Jill T. shares her experience at Blue Lake BackCountry Campsites: "We were looking for a short destination that would introduce my 5 and 7 year old boys to the wonderful world of backpacking. Blue Lake was perfect. It is a very short hike to the lake ~1.5 miles-ish."
Weekend planning: County parks provide reliable alternatives when federal campgrounds fill. At Squire Creek Park & Campground, a visitor recommends to "check county and city campgrounds along with the bigger players such as State and Federal parks."
Seasonal considerations: Summer camping near Hamilton brings specific challenges. A camper at Baker Lake Road notes, "Late July, there's a lot of partying on the lake. It's not so bad but you'll definitely hear people having fun." Another warns about "A TON of mosquitos so bring your spray!"
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: When tent camping near Hamilton with a trailer, carefully review site dimensions. At Cedar Groves Rural Campground, four designated tent sites are surrounded by "tall dense trees, with tons of wildlife all around you," according to Jake C.
Seasonal timing: Off-season camping offers significant advantages for privacy. Jakob M. reports about Squire Creek Park: "Had the whole park to our selves. Beautiful old growth forest with a river."
Road noise considerations: Several campgrounds in the area experience traffic disturbance. Suzanna L. notes about Squire Creek Park: "The sound of trucks and traffic kept us awake most of the night. We had carefully selected our site to be away from the road but we were unsuccessful in escaping the sound."
