The Lakebay area sits on the Key Peninsula, surrounded by the waters of Puget Sound and Case Inlet. Most campgrounds in this region remain between 0-500 feet in elevation, creating mild camping conditions even during winter months. The nearby Harstine Island offers additional camping options connected to the mainland by a short bridge, allowing campers to experience island camping without needing a ferry.
What to do
Beach exploration at low tide: At Joemma Beach State Park, the tide cycles expose excellent shoreline areas. "There's a small nature path, a rocky oyster shell-covered beach, and some grassy areas," notes one visitor to Potlatch State Park.
Shellfish harvesting: The Hood Canal area provides excellent clamming and oyster picking opportunities. "Fun was had walking on the beach at hood canal," reports a camper at Potlatch. Another visitor to Twanoh State Park adds, "A quick walk from camp and your picking oysters from Hood Canal. Amazing!"
Boating and water access: Many campgrounds feature boat launches or docks. "There are two docks you can walk down to, both are beautiful and if you have a kayak or boat they would be ideal," explains a visitor to Jarrell Cove State Park. Water conditions remain relatively calm in the protected inlets.
Wildlife viewing: The forested shorelines support diverse wildlife. "We did spot a bald eagle early in the morning," mentions a camper at Joemma Beach. At Jarrell Cove, "Several deer came up throughout the day to eat the apples off the ground and trees in those spots, that was fun."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the natural separation at Penrose Point State Park where "Sites and restrooms were clean. We had a great time exploring the beaches. Sites were reasonably private and quiet at night (except for a brief invasion of 6 raccoons at our site one night!)."
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards remain high across most parks. At Dash Point State Park, "The washroom and shower is kept clean, as is the rest of the campground." Another visitor noted, "Easy to find, great access to the sound & creek, sites had plenty of tent space. Well forested, potable water & fire rings, bathrooms were clean."
Waterfront access: The ability to enjoy water activities directly from camp ranks highly. "The beach is a short walk from camp, just long enough to make you feel like you earned your sunset view," explains a Dash Point visitor. At Belfair State Park, a camper appreciated that "the beach was great, water is rather warm for in the sound, it's also pretty shallow which is great for the kids to play in."
Wooded settings: The forested environment enhances the camping experience. At Penrose Point, "the sites felt relatively private and the whole park is heavily wooded." A visitor to Lakebay Getaway mentioned, "The location is great, so close to the water, Penrose and other peninsula activities."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking during peak season. At Belfair State Park, "The beach loop fills up quickly - get your reservations in as early as possible if you want to camp there." However, Joemma Beach offers some first-come, first-served sites.
Weather considerations: While generally mild, shoulder seasons bring variable conditions. "It got little chilly at night but wasn't too bad," reports a Joemma Beach camper who visited during Easter weekend.
Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more separation than others. At Twanoh State Park, a visitor noted, "The campsites are all cramped together right next to the roadway. There's no vegetation so you can see just about every site/camper from any site you choose."
Cell service fluctuations: Connectivity varies by location and carrier. At Jarrell Cove, a visitor mentioned, "T-mobile service spotty - could not use hotspot. Had to drive about 15 mins down road to park to access 5G." Another camper at Lakebay Getaway reported, "We use Verizon and no issues."
Tips for camping with families
Shallow swimming areas: For safer water play with children, certain beaches offer better conditions. "The swimming was great too," notes a visitor to Twanoh State Park, while another camper at Belfair mentioned the "shallow" water being "great for the kids to play in."
Campground selection for kids: Some parks offer more child-friendly features. A visitor to Potlatch State Park stated, "This place is Perfect for families with all size children. There is a small stream running through the side of Some of the camp spots that the kids can play."
Junior Ranger programs: Several state parks offer educational opportunities. A parent camping at Penrose Point shared, "The grounds, including bathrooms, were well maintained and the kids enjoyed taking part in the junior ranger program."
Noise considerations: Family-friendly campgrounds can get busy during peak times. "The campground was full with lots of families with young kids," notes a Penrose Point camper, while another at Joemma Beach cautioned, "This is also the spot where you go to camp and party with friends and family. So if you're looking for quiet, that's not always the case here."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Gig Harbor RV Resort provides full-service options close to Lakebay. "Very clean. Friendly and helpful staff," reports a visitor who noted it's "pet friendly, but not many attractions for children (no playground, no pool)."
Site selection for RVs: At several state parks, specific loops work better for larger rigs. At Jarrell Cove, "Site 8 is a pull through and is very large, but not so private as everyone walking to the main dock walks right past your site."
Leveling challenges: Some state parks present terrain difficulties. "Some of the sites are not very level for a tent," notes a Potlatch visitor, which applies doubly for RVs needing relatively flat surfaces.
RV size limitations: Many peninsula campgrounds have space restrictions. A Twanoh State Park camper warned, "If you need sunlight for your solar panels, you may be out of luck" due to the heavy forest canopy, while sites at several parks are noted as "not big-rig friendly."
