Camping cabins near Lummi Island, Washington provide options for outdoor recreation in the northern Puget Sound area. Lummi Island itself is 9.25 square miles with elevations up to 1,665 feet at Lummi Mountain. The island experiences a mild maritime climate with average summer temperatures in the 70s and winter lows rarely dropping below freezing, making cabin accommodations comfortable year-round.
What to do
Water activities at Deception Pass State Park: The park offers multiple swimming areas and opportunities for kayaking in the currents. "I ended a two week long sea kayaking expedition here in the fall. It's a large park with a lot of room. We even spent a few hours playing in the current that rips through Deception Pass," writes Sarah C. about Deception Pass State Park Campground.
Beach combing and clamming: Search for shells and collect seafood during low tide periods. "This has to be one of my all time favorite places for Shell Fishing and Crabbing! Peaceful and not too busy, access to the beach, and group camp sites makes this a family destination for quiet fun. Dont forget your Shellfish license and hit those beaches at low tide, because dinner is going to be delicious," advises Dani H. about Birch Bay State Park Campground.
Island exploration: Rent transportation to explore the entire island. "We didn't visit the San Juan islands this time around but make time to go to Friday Harbor and Orcas island; spend at least day in each and explore around. You can take a bus tour in Friday Harbor but we recommend renting a car for Orcas island," suggests Vivi W. from a stay at Burlington-Anacortes KOA.
What campers like
Seasonal wildflower displays: Spring and summer bring colorful wildflower blooms to hiking trails. "We went hiking twice, and loved every second of it. As you can see from my pictures, flowers were in full bloom and were absolutely gorgeous. I couldn't stop taking pictures of flowers! There were these super pretty purple ones that were everywhere," shares Melani T. from her stay at Lynden-Bellingham KOA.
Private cabin settings: Some campgrounds offer more secluded cabin options. "The sites in the new section are strangely not level, you can tell by the amount of blocks under the motorhomes. BUT. It's clean. The bathrooms are nice. It's VERY kid friendly. AND there is an indoor pool," notes Kathy A. about Burlington-Anacortes KOA.
Farm-to-table experiences: Working farms in the area provide unique camping experiences with fresh food. "Lisa gave us a tour and let our children pet/feed the cows, goat, and pig. The kids loved it! We like that there isn't rows of RVs and Trailers stacked on top of each other, you have space to wonder and spread out," says Christina B. about her stay at Oostema Farmstead.
What you should know
Military jet noise: Naval operations can create noise disruptions at certain times. "You'll hear jets overhead on a regular basis. 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," writes will L. about Deception Pass State Park Campground.
Weather preparedness: Even in summer, temperatures can fluctuate. "Be prepared for rain," advises Leonard H. at Deception Pass State Park Campground. "The only campground open in the winter at Deception Pass State Park is the Quarry Pond area. And even though the weather was wet and cold the campground was far from empty during our stay," shares Erica G.
Shower facilities vary significantly: Many campgrounds charge for showers or have limited hours. "I went to take a shower one night and was surprised to see that they shut the hot water off each night from 10pm to 7am. And the shower didn't even work, the water just came out in a dribble," reports Chelsea B. about her stay at Bay View State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with organized kids' activities: Several resorts provide scheduled events. "Our 4 year old daughter really enjoyed the activities that were offered, we made family matching tie dies, she made bird feeders, we rented a paddle boat one day and a row boat a different day," shares Russel about their family stay at Lakedale Resort.
Consider shoulder seasons: Visit during spring or fall for fewer crowds. "It was mid week stay at the end of the season, so a very slow time to be there, which maybe made it better. There were minimal campers there and we really enjoyed having extra space and quiet," explains Robert P. about Lakedale Resort in September.
Pack for variable weather: Nights can be cool even in summer. "The canvas cabins were a great solution to either traveling with gear or renting gear locally since we flew into the area. When we arrived we found the cabin with everything we needed including firewood with matches and newspaper for lighting, a s'mores kit, and bed warmers," notes Robert P. about accommodations at Lakedale Resort.
Tips from RVers
Check for specific RV accommodations: Not all campgrounds have full hookups. "While Moran State Park is nice, there are no hookups, further reducing your options. You should be aware that for many of the sites, the hookups are on the 'wrong' side, necessitating driving your RV in rather than backing in," explains Lee D. about their stay at West Beach Resort.
Understand dump station availability: Plan accordingly for longer stays. "The other challenge is that there is no dump station or sewer hookups. This was not an issue for us in our camper van but people in RVs should be aware of this," continues Lee D. about West Beach Resort.
Consider unlevel sites: Bring leveling blocks for many area campgrounds. "Asphalt roads with compacted dirt pads. See website for length of level pad. We stayed in RV in site without hook-ups," notes Leonard H. about Deception Pass State Park.
