Fort Casey State Park sits adjacent to the Coupeville-Port Townsend ferry terminal at Keystone Harbor, offering camping options with views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Olympic Mountains. Most Keystone Harbor campgrounds operate seasonally from spring through fall, with varying off-season availability. Campers should prepare for coastal weather including fog and strong winds, especially at shoreline sites where gusts can be particularly challenging during storms.
What to do
Explore military history: Fort Casey Campground preserves concrete gun emplacements and historic buildings from WWII coastal defenses. "The Fort is fun to explore all the dark nooks and crannies. The light house is just cool. The land around the Fort is easy to hike around to see the different parts and buildings," shares one visitor.
Attend ranger programs: Deception Pass State Park Campground offers interpretive programs during summer months. "The only campground open in the winter at Deception Pass State Park is the Quarry Pond area. And even though the weather was wet and cold the campground was far from empty during our stay," notes camper Erica G.
Try beach activities: Beachcombing and tidepooling opportunities abound along the shorelines. At Fort Worden Historical State Park, one camper shared, "We spend the entire weekend here camping... We could spend so many more hours exploring the buildings and beaches! Also saw so much wildlife: otters, deer, crab (lots of baby crabs everywhere!!) and starfish."
Visit multiple forts: The area contains several historic military installations within short driving distance. "If you like bunkers, canons, and barracks, with a view, then come here. There is a lighthouse that still functions and plenty of beach access," notes a Fort Worden visitor.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Fort Flagler Historical State Park Campground offers excellent nature watching. "You can walk the beach or walk the beautiful forest. Well maintained, great camphosts and a cool snack shack," shares Linda M.
Walking trails: Varied terrain from beaches to forests provides numerous hiking options. "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!" reports a Deception Pass camper.
Water access: Most campgrounds near Keystone Harbor offer direct water access. At Sequim Bay State Park Campground, one visitor noted, "This Bay is absolutely stunning. The water is so clear, and there is so much wildlife in this park. I've never seen more starfish, and seals."
Ferry watching: Many campsites provide views of ferry traffic. "We love this small waterfront campground. Great beach and views with historic fort and bunkers. View of boats and cruise ships coming and going," reports a Fort Casey camper.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Strong winds affect coastal sites regularly. At Fort Ebey State Park Campground, a camper advised, "Fort Ebey is a great place to pull up your car/trailer or RV. The campground is easy to find from the highway and the facilities are very clean."
Noise factors: Navy air operations can create significant noise disturbances. "Between our obnoxious neighbors and the constant drone of what must be the nearby paper mill, make for a less than pleasant stay. Nothing says camping like being lulled to sleep by heavy machinery," reported one camper at Fort Townsend.
Site privacy varies: Campgrounds feature different privacy levels between sites. "The campsites are extremely well kept, bathroom facilities very clean, and you can't beat the views from the bluff. This, of course, comes at a cost - we wandered into one of the higher priced sites ($35/night)," noted an Ebey visitor.
Reservation requirements: Most sites require advance booking, especially during summer. At Point Hudson, a camper explained, "You'll definitely need to book well in advance for this one."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly options: Camano Island State Park Campground offers family-focused amenities. "Stayed in the group site with my daughter's American Heritage Girls troop. We had 22 girls and there was plenty of room. This is a huge group site. Has running water, a couple fire pits and a bunch of picnic tables," reports a family visitor.
Swimming areas: Protected swimming spaces are available at some parks. "Cranberry Lake has a designated swimming area where the water is super shallow and just perfect for the kiddos," notes a Deception Pass camper.
Educational opportunities: Military history provides learning experiences for children. At Fort Casey, one visitor recommends, "Kids of all ages should do the Junior Ranger program which the Gift Shop has the packets."
Playground access: Some campgrounds have dedicated play areas. "This has been well thought out with the play parks. It really is a lovely site," shares a visitor to Sequim Bay State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Waterfront sites offer views but less privacy. "If you're looking for a large park with lot's of outdoor recreation opportunities, this is a nice location," writes a Deception Pass RVer.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by campground. At Fort Flagler, "There are two gun batteries right next to the campground and a trail right out to the beach. You are also close to the Point Wilson Lighthouse."
Length restrictions: Some sites limit maximum vehicle length. "Jan 24-26, 2025 - We went for a winter meet-up with my local teardrop trailer group. As mentioned in other reviews, the beach campground is very open with little privacy between spots, but there is quite a bit of space," shares an RV camper at Fort Worden.
Winter accessibility: Several campgrounds remain open year-round with limited services. "Awesome fall and winter camping. First come first serve after Oct 31st. Spend a long weekend there last week. No problem finding 2 sites side by side for 40 ft rigs," reports a Fort Flagler visitor.
Traveler
