Best Tent Camping near Lopez Island, WA
Tent campsites in the San Juan Islands near Lopez Island, Washington, offer a mix of waterfront and forest settings across several island locations. Odlin County Park on Lopez Island provides tent sites with beach access, while Shaw Island County Park offers secluded tent camping with pristine shoreline views. Many sites are accessible by boat, kayak, or ferry, creating unique opportunities for island-hopping tent camping adventures.
Most tent campgrounds in this area feature basic amenities including pit toilets or composting toilets, picnic tables, and designated fire rings. Campers should note that drinking water is available at some locations including Odlin County Park and Shaw Island County Park, but many marine state parks like Obstruction Pass and Turn Island require visitors to bring their own water supply. Walk-in tent sites are common, particularly at Obstruction Pass State Park where campsites are approximately half a mile from parking. During summer months, reservations are essential for drive-in tent campgrounds, while many boat-in locations operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
The island tent camping experience offers exceptional shoreline access and wildlife viewing opportunities. Many tent campsites provide direct beach access for swimming, paddling, and watching boat traffic through the islands. Raccoons are frequently mentioned as persistent wildlife visitors, particularly at Turn Island and Jones Island, requiring proper food storage. Marine tent campsites often feature spectacular sunset views and relatively warm swimming compared to other Puget Sound locations. A visitor commented that "Shaw Island Country park is located in Indian Cove makes a great stopping point between Odlin or Spencer's Spit and Turn Island/Friday Harbor. As the water comes back in over warn sand it heats up making for some of the warmest swimming you'll find in the San Juan Islands." Tent campers should be prepared for limited shade at some exposed shoreline sites and variable weather conditions throughout the camping season.