Campgrounds near Lopez Island in Washington's San Juan Islands range from state parks to county facilities, with a variety of options for tent camping, RV sites, and cabins. Spencer Spit State Park Campground on Lopez Island offers tent and RV sites with beach access, operating from March to October. Additional camping areas include Odlin County Park near the ferry landing, which features both waterfront and forested sites. San Juan County Park on Friday Harbor provides year-round camping with boat-in access, while Moran State Park on Orcas Island contains multiple campground areas including Mountain Lake, Midway, Northend, and Southend campgrounds.
Ferry access significantly impacts camping logistics in the San Juan Islands region. Most campgrounds are accessible via the Washington State Ferry system, with some locations being a short drive or walk from ferry landings. Several locations like Turn Island State Park require boat-only access, making planning essential for transportation between islands. Water is available at most established campgrounds, though some smaller marine state parks require visitors to bring their own. Several campgrounds are seasonal, with the primary camping season running from spring through fall. "Lopez Island is a slow paced beauty, and this park is a great place to camp while you explore all there is to see," notes one visitor about Spencer Spit State Park.
Waterfront camping receives particularly high ratings throughout the San Juan Islands. Campers frequently mention the excellent beach access and water activities as highlights of their stays. Several visitors pointed to Spencer Spit's beaches as perfect for kayaking, swimming, and beachcombing. The small marine state parks accessible only by boat or kayak provide a more secluded experience but come with limited amenities and wildlife challenges. A reviewer of Odlin County Park mentioned: "This campsite was definitely above than I expected! It has waterfront with beach, campsites are neat and restroom is better than other campsites!" Visitors should be prepared for raccoons at some of the marine parks, as multiple reviews mention persistent wildlife looking for food. Most campgrounds in the region feature clean restrooms, with some offering showers, while others provide only composting toilets.
$12 - $40 / night
"Deception Pass is one of our favorite campgrounds in WA having lots of coastal access and a trail system along the water which takes you to The Bridge as well as other lookout points on Anacortes island"
"Some trails walking distance from the campsite to gorgeous beaches while others we drove to get to other trails and scenic lookouts. I loved every minute staying there."
"San Juan Island Washington Is THE Emerald Gem of this state!! If you ever want to find heaven on earth this is it!!"
"The campground location is beautiful. The sites and bathrooms are clean. There aren’t many camping options on the island, so overall it’s a great place to camp."
$12 - $45 / night
"I was able to snag one of the amazing sites on the lake. It sits down from the road and an embankment so there is a level of privacy from the road, but not your neighboring sites."
"It’s right above the main road and a freshwater lake. It’s pretty steep, sprained my ankle right before the trip. They were very helpful at the entrance and gave me a lower site."
"Spencer’s Spit is a great kayak launch spot or a base camp for exploring Lopez Island in the San Juan’s. Good campsites situated in a forest. Large sites with tables and close facilities."
"Spencer Spit State Park is located on friendly Lopez Island just a short drive from the ferry terminal. It has many sites and is popular with locals and tourists."
$30 - $37 / night
"Washington Park is a nice clean park with 3 loops. 1 loop for non hookups. Most of these sites are on the outside of the campground and provide good privacy."
"Great medium size campground surrounded by saltwater, short trails, and grassy picnic areas. Great views of islands and sunsets. Boat launch with large paid parking area."
"There are great hikes all around, we walked around the lake and plopped our canoe in right from the site to go explore around."
"Situated on a small peninsula on gorgeous mountain lake. Great fishing and kayaking. Hiking trail right outside you your campsite. Put toilet only, no room for RV’s or campers."
"Lots of the spots have huge forested areas behind them. Was easy walking distance to the lake where you can rent kayaks and paddle boards or lounge on the beach."
"Its tucked away in the woods. There are usually deer in the morning. So be sure to pack away food. The bathrooms are well maintained. It is well worth the hike to the lookout on the mountain."
"Larrabee State Park is a publicly owned recreation area located on Samish Bay, six miles (10 km) south of the city of Bellingham, Washington."
"There is a train very close to the campground! It didn't bother us, but some might find that useful. We stayed 1 night here. It was pretty nice."
"The campground has a great location and is easily accessible from all that the San Juan Island has to offer."
"Great spot on the lakes, lots of different options from tents, to hook ups to cabins to canvas tents etc. Hot showers for a price! But worth it."
$12 - $75 / night
"Beach walks and a county path nearby. There is also a marine center with small aquarium nearby."
"Our spot backed up to beautiful trees and was nicely situated to not feel crowded."
ScoutNice campground with a spot on view of the Coupeville Ferry Terminal and a nice easy walk up to the fort itself. Water is turned off at the sites in winter but can get some at the spigot near the bathroom if needed. Not a ton of privacy but beautiful and right on the water!
ScoutSuper empty and great heated bathrooms. Need access to the park to get in.
LegendThe campground (CG) is right off US-101, so it was easy to find. For an eastbound arrival, there’s a turn lane for the left turn across the highway. Our first impression was a nice CG in a forested setting. During check-in, we asked about the Good Sam discount, which wasn’t an option when we booked online; since we had already paid in full, they couldn’t apply the discount. We were then escorted to pull-through Site 814 with FHUs. The turn into the site was a little tight due to lava boulders (a recurring theme with most of the pull-through sites in this loop). The site was plenty long enough for our 40' toy hauler, with room to put the patio down and park our F450—though we did have to get a little creative squeezing the truck in. Water and electric were centered on the pad, but the sewer was at the back end of the site, so we needed 20+ feet of sewer hose. Water pressure was good, and we got a strong signal on our T-Mobile home internet, so we didn’t need to deploy Starlink. We had 4 bars of 5G on both Verizon and T-Mobile, and the campground Wi-Fi was better than most at 60.6 Mbps download. There’s also a decent-sized fenced dog area. Overall, this was a solid CG that worked well as a base to explore Olympic National Park.
ScoutThis is a local campground to me, but I have visited a few other KOA's in the State and this one is on another level. Very engaged campground and completely SAFE! I rarely would let my kids out of my site but at this campground I let them cruise around on their bikes and they go all over the place. The pool is clean and well kept. I will be returning to this campground for years to come.
ScoutThe coffee shop makes the best coffee, and the staff are super friendly and helpful. Updated sites and beautiful ponds with lots of ducks & baby ducks , eagles, owls. This campground is well maintained and clean , and they host fun events. Not far from downtown Lynden where there’s a variety of eating choices and fun stores.
TravelerWhat a Beautiful place this Location has to offer!!! Stunning views ! Beautiful beach! Amazing sunsets! Campground has really nice clean traditional camp sites! Plenty of sites! And an overflow Campground across the street that has a quite a few sites too,that are really nice and clean! We live fairly close and still enjoy going here a few weekends every year!
LegendWe followed RV Trip Wizard south on I-5 straight to the campground (CG). At the stoplight next to Lowe’s, you simply continue straight into the resort entrance for check-in. Check-in was super easy and informative, and we were then escorted to pull-through Site 11 with FHUs. A standout feature here is that each long pull-through has full utility hookups on both sides. Sewer placement was excellent—neither too high nor too low—and the sewer cap even swivels to align with your hose(something we’d never seen before). The pad was long enough for our 40' toy hauler with the patio down, plus convenient parking for our F450. It was interesting that a CG this nice did not have picnic tables nor fire pits/barbecues at the sites. Connectivity was great: campground Wi-Fi delivered~49 Mbps down/ 44 Mbps up, while T-Mobile Home Internet hit 133 Mbps down/ 9 Mbps up. On the north side of the CG is a tree farm where dogs can roam off-leash. We were also able to receive packages—very helpful coming back from Alaska/Canada—and even had our vehicle washed onsite. An RV tech staying in the CG was available for repairs. The campground hosts and workers could not have been more accommodating—allowing package delivery, coordinating vehicle washing and RV repairs, and most of all not fertilizing our grassy site because of our 15-year-old pup. There is some road and occasional train noise, but nothing too disruptive. They were getting the shower houses and laundry building finished up while we were there. This is a very nice, newer campground, and we thoroughly enjoyed our week-long stay.
ScoutGood little RV park, within walking distance of a dog park, children's park and public bathrooms which is nice. Only downside is that there is not septic at the spots which for $40 a night I would think that they would, but the water is clean and overall the whole lot is nicely kept up with and clean.
ScoutSmall rv park with mostly full timers. Tent sites with power right next to the river. Open gravel camping. Not great water access. Bathroom, shower uses quarters, laundry room, boat launch. Craft island hiking trail is great, I recommend walking it barefoot till you get out to the island. If the tide is out you have many acres of sand bar to walk out into the bay. Boat launch available. Some spots have full hookups.
Lopez Island campgrounds offer distinct camping experiences across Washington's San Juan Islands, with sites located between 0 and 500 feet above sea level. The region experiences mild summers with average temperatures between 65-75°F and limited rainfall from June through September. Most campsites remain cool even during summer due to marine breezes and extensive forest cover.
Kayaking from beach access points: Spencer Spit State Park Campground provides excellent launching options for water activities. "I have camped here three times and it's always a good time. You can drive here from the Lopez, IS ferry but it's a great spot to boat to. The canoe/kayak sites are beautiful and pretty private. There's beautiful views and great beach combing," notes one visitor.
Hiking nearby trail systems: Moran State Park offers extensive trail networks with varying difficulty levels. "Miles of hiking trails that lead to the highest point in the San Juans, Mt Constitution. One of the most incredible views I have ever seen in the PNW," reports a camper. The park features over 30 miles of trails through old-growth forests.
Wildlife viewing and photography: The islands provide numerous opportunities to observe native species. At San Juan County Park, "The bluff is perfect for frizbee, football, soccer, sunbathing, watching the water traffic and sometimes Orcas!" A visitor mentioned that "you have to take a ferry to the island so you don't need a boat (but it'd be great to have one, kayaks included)."
Private waterfront access: Southend Campground receives high marks for its lakeside locations. "The Southend camground at Moran is definitely the way to go. Most sites have their own private beach access of you want to keep your own boat on shore or swim with kids, the bathrooms are newer and much nicer," writes one reviewer. Sites often book 6+ months in advance.
Clean facilities: Despite remote locations, many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and amenities. A camper at Washington Park Campground noted, "We had such a great time at this site. the bathrooms are centrally located between all sites and they have the option for firewood to be delivered to your campsite, which was awesome because it meant no unnecessary trips to town."
Multiple camping options: From tent sites to glamping, the region offers various accommodation types. At Lakedale Resort, "We had Nevas Canvas Tent #6. It was amazing! Glamping at its finest! King size bed was super comfy. We had a huge deck overlooking one of the three lakes. Our tent also had a bathroom w/ a toilet and shower, an electric heater, a trundle bed/couch, and electrical outlets."
Ferry logistics are crucial: Reservations for ferry transport are strongly recommended. "To get to Moran State Park or anywhere on Orcas Island, you need to take a ferry. I had read that you should get a reservation but I ignored it, thinking it would be no problem. Luckily we were the second to last car to get on the ferry but we were really close to not making it," reports one camper.
Weather conditions: Nights can be chilly even in summer. A visitor at Deception Pass State Park advised, "Be prepared for rain." Another noted, "We stayed in RV in site without hook-ups. Fighter jet noise on a Monday morning during our stay."
Limited supplies on islands: Plan to bring necessities. "Pack in what you'll need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What recreational activities and attractions are available on Lopez Island for campers?
Lopez Island is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts with numerous recreational opportunities. Kayaking is particularly popular, with Spencer Spit State Park Campground offering kayak rentals and an excellent launch spot. The island's slow pace makes it perfect for cycling, with bike-friendly roads connecting various attractions. Beach activities abound at Odlin County Park Camping - Lopez Island, where visitors enjoy swimming and spectacular sunset views. Hiking trails wind throughout the island, offering scenic vistas of the surrounding San Juan archipelago. Wildlife viewing, beachcombing, and fishing for Searun Cutthroat are also popular activities for campers exploring this peaceful island.
Where are the camping options on Lopez Island?
Lopez Island offers several excellent camping options. Spencer Spit State Park Campground on the northeast side provides car camping, RV pull-through sites, group sites, and walk-in beach sites facing the water. Located just off the ferry landing, Odlin County Park Camping - Lopez Island features waterfront access with a sandy beach and neat campsites with better-than-average restrooms. For a more private experience, Lopez Farm Cottages & Tent Camping offers tent sites in a charming farm setting. All these options provide excellent bases for exploring the island's natural beauty.
What camping is available near Lopez Island, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lopez Island, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 218 campgrounds and RV parks near Lopez Island, WA and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lopez Island, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lopez Island, WA is Deception Pass State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 109 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lopez Island, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Lopez Island, WA.
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