Fort Casey Campground sits on Whidbey Island's eastern shore where Keystone Harbor meets Admiralty Inlet. Cabins near Keystone Harbor face consistent winds from the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with summer temperatures averaging 60-70°F even during peak season. Winter visitors should prepare for strong coastal winds that can make cabin camping more challenging during storms, particularly at waterfront locations.
What to do
Explore military history: Fort Casey provides access to preserved gun emplacements and historical structures. "Really neat military relics. Walk to the ferry to visit Port Townsend for the day. Camp in the deep woods. This place is awesome!" notes a visitor to Fort Casey Campground.
Beach exploration: Low tides reveal diverse marine life along shorelines. At Deception Pass State Park Campground, one camper shared: "We were a large group and enjoyed the bit of extra space. We even spent a few hours playing in the current that rips through Deception Pass."
Kite flying: The open fields at many parks provide ideal conditions for kite flying due to consistent coastal winds. A Fort Casey visitor explained: "The expansive grass fields allow a place to run our dog and fly kites. We spent many hours exploring the beach and observing sea life."
What campers like
Lighthouse access: Several parks feature historic lighthouses with scheduled tours. "The fort is fun to explore all the dark nooks and crannies. The light house is just cool," reports a camper about Fort Casey.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening hours offer prime wildlife spotting opportunities. At Fort Flagler Historical State Park Campground, visitors appreciate that "There is a lot of wildlife such as squirrels eating crumbs off the floor from previous campers."
Ferry watching: Cabins near ferry routes provide continual boat traffic viewing. "We love this small waterfront campground. Great beach and views with historic fort and bunkers. View of boats and cruise ships coming and going," shares a Fort Casey camper.
What you should know
Navy jet noise: Proximity to Naval Air Station Whidbey means periodic jet noise during training exercises. A Beach Campground — Fort Worden Historical State Park visitor notes: "Jan 24-26, 2025. We went for a winter meet-up with my local teardrop trailer group. The first night there were a few gusts of wind that shook the trailer, but it died down."
Limited privacy: Most cabin sites have minimal separation between neighbors. "The campground was in heavy use, but not completely full. Bathrooms in bad repair, trails in bad repair, dumpsters stinking and overflowing," reports one visitor to Camano Island State Park Campground during peak season.
Wind exposure: Waterfront cabin sites face more wind impact than forested locations. At Fort Flagler, a camper recommends: "Camping at the upper (wooded) site is the quieter of the two campsites. Best of all you have quick access to the beach on either side of the point with an incredible view."
Tips for camping with families
Junior Ranger programs: Several parks offer educational activities for children. At Kitsap Memorial State Park Campground, a visitor recommends: "Kids of all ages should do the Junior Ranger program which the Gift Shop has the packets."
Playground access: Choose cabins near developed play areas for convenience. "The property itself is great. There's a playground and a couple large open fields for kids to play. Also really close to the water which is cool," explains a Kitsap Memorial visitor.
Protected swimming areas: Some parks offer designated swimming zones with gradual entry. A Deception Pass visitor noted: "Cranberry Lake has a designated swimming area where the water is super shallow and just perfect for the kiddos."
Tips from RVers
Water pressure concerns: Several cabin areas experience low water flow during peak usage. A Kitsap camper observes: "Water pressure is low, averaging just over 20psi."
Winter considerations: Some facilities remain open with reduced services. At North Whidbey RV Park, a winter visitor noted: "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."
Electrical limitations: Check power requirements against available hookups. At Fort Flagler, a visitor explained: "We stayed in site 9. It was on the smaller size but it fit our 21ft Class C just fine. Bathrooms and showers are available. It was all in very good condition."
