Tent camping near Keystone Harbor offers sites on both Whidbey Island and nearby Olympic Peninsula locations. The region receives about 21 inches of rainfall annually, significantly less than surrounding areas due to its location in the Olympic rain shadow. Most campgrounds maintain seasonal operations from April through October, with several sites providing direct water access for boaters and kayakers.
What to do
Explore historic bunkers: Fort Ebey State Park features military installations from World War II that provide educational exploration opportunities. "There's the old bunkers and batteries to explore right next to the campground," notes one Fort Ebey State Park Campground visitor. "There's also a great hiking trail that begins at the campground and takes you along the bluff and shoreline to Ebey's Landing Historic Park."
Kayak to remote sites: For experienced paddlers, boat-in camping offers solitude away from crowds. "This is a great boat-in-only site," writes a camper about Kinney Point State Park Campground. "No running water but vault toilets. No reservations. Rack for kayaks above high tide. Nice alternative to the Oak Bay sites at Pt. Hadlock to the west."
Salmon fishing: Several campgrounds provide access to waterways with seasonal salmon runs. One camper at Dungeness Forks mentioned: "Right next to the creek/water which was beautiful with wild salmon that we spent the morning fishing for!"
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds feature natural vegetation barriers. "The campsites are generally large and well separated by foliage, even in winter," reports a visitor to Deer Park Campground. "We've camped here a few times, and we've seen wildlife each time, mostly deer. It's a good place to make memories!"
Wildlife encounters: Deer sightings are common throughout regional campgrounds. A Fort Ebey camper noted: "There are great hiking and mountain biking trails through forest, ocean views and beach access, and it's also fun to explore the old WWII facilities. Bring flashlights."
Water features: Proximity to rivers, lakes, and Puget Sound provides both recreation and ambiance. "Nestled in the valley in between two beautiful rivers," writes one Dungeness Forks Campground visitor. "Lovely big spots with good dispersed facilities - restroom, tables, and fire pits. Some great spots next to the rivers that need to be got early."
What you should know
Limited facilities at remote sites: Many smaller campgrounds have minimal amenities. "Tiny campground on the river: no reservations, toilets, but no safe water, no trash collection," explains a Dungeness Forks visitor. "The drive up was a little intense, but our sedan made it (no RVs!)."
Early arrival recommended: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "We got up there about 1 o'clock on a Friday…you definitely need to be there earlier! Everything was crazy packed full already," advises a camper at Deer Park.
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires navigating challenging roads. "The drive to the site was accurately steep with little room on either side. Our 19ft campervan made it up and down but a car did need to pull off to the side for us and back up a ways for us to squeeze by," reported one camper at Dungeness Forks.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: For families new to camping, consider established campgrounds with amenities. "My daughter and I camped at Fort Ebey during Spring Break and it was a lovely time with many Scotch Broom and other seaside flowers were in bloom," shares a visitor to Fort Ebey State Park. "There are so many fun walking paths around the bluffs as well as a beautiful hike around Lake Pondilla with interpretive signage naming the native moss and lichen."
Pack extra clothes: Weather can change rapidly in this coastal region. "We arrived here while beginning our trip around the Olympic peninsula. We unfortunately got caught in rain for almost 2 weeks," warns a camper at Dungeness Forks.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer natural and historical learning experiences. "There are old (but well maintained) battery and concrete gun emplacements from WW2 when the Fort was used to defend the West coast," notes a Fort Ebey camper.
Tips from RVers
Casino parking options: When formal RV sites are full, alternative options exist. "Great free camping for up to three nights. Just call security (number is on the sign) to register when you arrive," shares a visitor to Tulalip Casino. "Very nice friendly security staff. Great place to walk your dog."
Size restrictions: Many forest roads have limitations for larger vehicles. "This is just a parking lot for you to park your RV while gaming. There is a spot for the animals to wee and that is about it," explains a Tulalip Casino camper.
Hookup availability: Most sites near Keystone Harbor offer limited or no hookups. "Nice place to have a free spot for the night. Not sure the max number of nights. I forgot to ask. No hook ups and no water available. Clean area and pet exercise area. Security drives by regular," reports another Tulalip Casino visitor.
