Camping near La Conner, Washington offers access to tidal flats and estuarine environments where freshwater from the Skagit River meets Puget Sound saltwater. Positioned at just 20 feet above sea level, most campsites around La Conner experience moderate temperatures with summer highs rarely exceeding 75°F and winter lows typically in the mid-30s. Morning fog is common in summer months, burning off by midday.
What to do
Beachcombing at low tide: The shoreline at Bay View State Park Campground offers excellent tidepooling opportunities. "Padilla Bay is beautiful and within walking distance of the campgrounds," notes CJ W., who recommends visiting during low tide to see marine life.
Military history exploration: Explore the gun batteries and historic fortifications at Fort Flagler Historical State Park Campground. "The most fun is exploring all the gun batteries. We did the tour and it was very informative. Lots of history and there are even a few geocaches," writes Jill T., highlighting the educational aspects of this site.
Stargazing: Clear nights offer excellent astronomical viewing at some locations. Christina F. reports from Fort Worden: "We had beautifully clear skies and little light pollution so it was really nice for stargazing." Winter camping can provide some of the clearest skies when weather cooperates.
Island trails: Several campgrounds feature hiking loops through wooded areas with ocean views. At Washington Park Campground, a reviewer notes there is "a two mile loop road that is great for walking, but also had trails to the beach for great exploring."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers frequently mention site spacing as important. At Washington Park Campground, "While the sites are generous in size, there is little separation/privacy between them," according to Lee D., making specific site selection important.
Beach access: Direct water access ranks high in camper preferences. Aletta M. praises Deception Pass State Park Campground for its "breathtaking sunset at the bay to the right and the following day companions at the lake to the left... the site was arranged perfectly."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms are consistently mentioned in positive reviews. One camper at North Whidbey RV Park notes: "Great park, super clean and well run," while another at Bay View State Park comments, "Bathrooms and showers were spotless."
Multi-use amenities: Parks with diverse facilities get high marks. Marisa N. describes Washington Park Campground as having "a park for kids to play and covered bbq shelters that are first come-first served and bonfire pits on the beach."
What you should know
Naval air traffic: Navy jets from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station create noise at many area campgrounds. At Larrabee State Park Campground, campers report hearing jets, though less frequently than other locations: "We visited in the winter, so it was quiet. Downside was the trains barreling through all night. Could barely sleep with earplugs."
Railroad noise: Several campgrounds sit near active rail lines. Danielle S. writes about Larrabee State Park: "There is however, a train that runs right by the campground and it is loud!"
Variable cell service: Mobile reception varies significantly between locations. At Thousand Trails La Conner, Paula C. advises: "Cell reception is bad but there are businesses and the library in La Conner where cell reception is good."
Limited sewer hookups: Full-service sites are often in short supply. Jeff M. explains: "It was disappointing to find that the few sites that have a sewer connection were all taken and no way to know this in advance."
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially in summer. Bobby B. shares a tip about Washington Park: "We didn't have a reservation, but lucked out on a great site. All sites have a calendar posted with reservation dates listed. First come first serve is available for any not reserved that night."
Tips for camping with families
Protected swimming areas: Families with children appreciate designated swim zones. Travis D. mentions at Deception Pass: "Cranberry Lake has a designated swimming area where the water is super shallow and just perfect for the kiddos."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment. Carlyn N. values that La Conner Marina RV Resort "had a playground area and easy access to the beach. We also took advantage of the hiking trails nearby."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids enjoy spotting local animals. "We also were able to see lots of fun sea life and captured, then released, some larger crabs," notes one family who stayed at Washington Park.
Cabin options: For families new to camping, cabins provide a transitional experience. Jen D. shares: "We actually stayed at the cabins rather than in a tent. The views of the bay from the cabin were great. The cabin is definitely luxurious if you're used to tenting (two padded bunks and a queen sized bed; also has heat if you need it)."
Tips from RVers
Uneven sites: Many RVers mention leveling challenges. Jason W. warns about Larrabee State Park: "We had site T6 which is full hook up pull through. The site was extremely unlevel front to back so much so my rear stabilizers barely touched the ground."
Limited full hookups: Availability of complete utility connections varies by campground. At La Conner Marina RV Resort, Stan & Jesús H. advise: "Premium sites are double wide and have a spot to park your RV AND Vehicle. Premium Sites $55 before discount (back-in only), Pull-through Sites $55 before discount, Regular Back-in Site $45."
Tight turning radius: Larger rigs face maneuverability challenges at some locations. A reviewer at North Whidbey RV Park mentions they accommodated their "fifth wheel with total rig length 53ft" but notes that parking can be tight in some sections.
Off-season advantages: Winter camping offers more availability for larger units. Mike K. shares about Fort Flagler: "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."
