Best Tent Camping near Lopez Island, WA

Great place to bring your LQ (any size rig) and camp with your horses. There are a few non-equestrians, but we need to keep this a place for equestrians because we are losing more and more campsites.  Trails are well maintained and extensive.

No water or electric at the camp, but you can drive down to a creek and pump or collect water for your horses. You will be boondocking.

High-line poles are available to high-tie your horses. We set up a portable corral and were fine. Picnic tables and fire rings are also available.

No manure pile or wheel barrow. There is a vault toilet and I got cell service on my phone.

There were SO MANY available campsites when we got there. About mid afternoon. The ranger was super friendly and welcoming! The bathrooms were nice and had showers that require tokens that you can buy with your site at check in. The sites vary in size and shape but most of them are decently private/ spaced apart. The site next to us never got booked, probably because it was small, but it was nice for us because it was only a few bushes away. Sites include a picnic table and fire ring with grill grate . There was a trail to the beach not far from us and it was super nice. Although there are plenty of signs that require dogs to be on leashes most people did not adhere to those rules, so keep an eye out if you're bringing the doggos. Very family friendly, very cozy, very nice stay!

Despite the poor weather, I couldn't have been happier with my Whiskey Creek Beach camping experience. From the views, adequately spaced tent sites, steel fire pits, potable water, picnics table, Adirondack chairs and shower access, this was a perfect getaway for this solo, 50-something, female camper, accompanied only by her chow-chow . I was able to finally fulfill my dream of camping along the shore. 

One of the amazing features for those camping at the shorefront sites (T9, T10, T12) are the elevated, 12×14 decks that serve as your tent pad; No need to worry about a tarp placement beneath the tent. Metal cleets are placed around the deck stucture that you can use as tie downs for your tent and fly. These were useful for my additional tarp as I had to contend with mostly adverse weather conditions.The hosts have also provided, for your convenience, additional tie downs in case of high winds. Side Note: with the set up I created, I never once, had to contend with tent leakage, from the top or bottom. 

There is a small, single shower hut apx. 30 yards from the tent site. It is an off the grid shower, but extremely clean, and has running hot water. The cost was $5.00 for unlimited use. The outhouse for the sites, next to the shower hut, is rather old, and was, in my opinion, the only drawback. There is, however, a newer flush toilet up a small hill near the site which I found myself gravitating to. 

The hosts were extremely helpful and responsive. The area has a secure access gate. Firewood is available for sale at a cost of $4.99. The small town of Joyce is but a 10 minute drive where you will find an extremely well stocked old timey general store, two quaint resturaunts, and a laundromat, a huge bonus as I was on an extended stay of seven days.

For those inclined to explore the region, you are well within driving distance to some of Washington's exceptiinally breathtaking hikes, including Hurricane Ridge, The Ozette Triangle, and Cape Flattery.

On the north east side of Lopez Island, Spencer Spit offers all kinds of camping options. There is a large car camping area with RV pull-thru sites and group sites. There are also several walk-in or boat in beach sites that face the water. Additionally, both to the north and south end of the spit there are several mooring buoys for sailing or motor vessels. The south end of the spit offers the one Cascadia Marine Trail site which is limited to anyone arriving by human or small boat wind power.

The campground offers flush toilets, sinks, running water, but no showers. However, Lopez Villiage has some of the best showers which you can use for the suggested donation of $2. Rent a bike or kayak to explore the island, right from the state park! Go get an ice cream or latte while you’re there. Great options in the village.

Cost: $30 – $35 /night

Campground Review

My three-year-old and I backpacked in and it was amazing. Crazy crowded and crazy loud with the military jets overhead (Naval Air Base nearby) – but beautiful none the less. It’s good to note that the jets do shut off around 5 pm and there is plenty of quite time from that point on. But be prepared during the day for some ear splitting noise - I would actually advise ear plugs!

We hiked in for the adventure, but also because all the drive-in sites were reserved. They have several secluded campsites set aside for hikers and bikers, and they were totally worth the work. We ended up in site #233 and it was perfect. Totally tucked away in the trees with soft ground and simple surroundings. If you plan to hike or bike in and use these spots, get there as early as you can. All the sites got used and several folks who showed up toward evening didn’t get spots. We walked around to see all the drive-in spots and there are some pretty nice ones, but none as secluded as the hike/bike spots. The hike in from the northern park boundary is amazingly beautiful and it sure makes you appreciate the spot once you get there.

There are trails everywhere from the campsites, but most importantly down to the beach and Cranberry Lake. I must say it’s quite amazing to sleep amongst the tall trees of the forest and then meander down to the beach to play! Cranberry Lake has a designated swimming area where the water is super shallow and just perfect for the kiddos.

Amazing beauty and well worth the experience!

Product Review

Green Goo – Multiple Products

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time – on this trip I tested the amazing variety of salve and such from Green Goo. I made sure to take the salve for Dry Skin, Foot Care, and Pain Relief – all great stuff for backpacking! One feature I really like about the salves is the tin, they are perfect for stuffing in a little side pocket of your pack and don’t add much weight at all. It was heavenly to rub the balm into sore muscles and feet after we set up camp and recovered from the hike. The foot care stuff is especially helpful for me since my heels crack so bad. This stuff has really made a difference for my heels like nothing I’ve tried before. My daughter is a pretty rough and tumble little adventure seeker and has never been without some sort of scrape, scratch, or bump from climbing everything and running everywhere – the Skin Repair tin gets multiple uses daily – and it really does help heal her up quick. Overall – this stuff rocks, I’m totally sold on it and can’t wait to try other products from the company!

Hello and welcome to my review on Lopez farm cottages and tent camping. My name is Aaron Wakefield. I am a new member to theDyrt community. When I say it is my extreme privilege and honor to give a five star review on this campground, you better believe if there were more stars I would give them. That being said, I hope you all like to read because this is going to be a bit of a lengthy review. I only say that because I’ve been known to have the gift of gab.

I have already done a short video on the specific area that I am camping at within this campground. I hope you will like it and that it will provide some information for any of you that should come up this way and decide to camp here.

I am camping at tent site 11. This is one of their drive in sites that will accommodate your vehicle next to your campsite. There are three of these sites in my area. They are very clean, they’re organized and plenty spacious for your tent camping needs.

I have met two people here and spoken to three that work and run this campground. This morning I met John the owner. He is a very kind man. He works very hard at making this place outstanding for his visitors. I have spoken with Cathie his wife and she is also a very kind and hardworking person. Any questions that I have asked have been answered with no details missed or left out. In many instances, I have been given suggestions and resources that will also accommodate my stay here.

Lopez farm cottages and tent camping is exactly that. There are cottages to be rented, nests, which are something between a cottage and a tent. Then you have your tent sites. Some of these sites you can park and walk in, others you can backpack in while even others like mine you can drive to your site with your vehicle and have your vehicle right there. I don’t know, but this is quite a great selection in the area of camping and just getting out. I have also met Triana. This wonderful lady has the task of keeping the bathroom and the general area of all these campsites cleaned up and ready for their next guests. Again, I have created a short video that shows this campsite two others and the building that they share. This building I am informed is only two years old. So John is doing a lot to accommodate his guests. It’s more than I have seen in any place for just camping.

Thanks for being patient and reading this very wordy review. I hope in someway you found it informative and that it will provide some information to you should you decide to come and stay here on your next visit in the Pacific Northwest.

Just remember, if you come to Lopez Island, make your stay here a wonderful one by visiting Lopez farm cottages and tent camping on Lopez Island of the San Juan Islands in Washington state.

Aaron Wakefield theDyrt -

Lopez island is a slow paced beauty, and this park is a great place to camp while you explore all there is to see! Spencer Spit State Park campground is a heavily forested area on a lagoon enclosed sand spit. There are a few walk-in spaces to camp on the spit itself as well. We visited the park midweek in early June and had the entire campground to ourselves. The beach area is about a 10 minute walk from the campground. The beach is littered with beautiful driftwood and shells and even clams! There are picnic tables down on the spit, so pack a lunch and spend the day down at the beach, or come down in the evening for star watching and s'mores. The only drawback to this area were the bugs. Not much to be done about that, but perhaps a different time of year would be better?