Best Tent Camping near Lummi Island, WA
Tent camping options around Lummi Island in Washington's San Juan Islands range from established state park campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites. Moran State Park on nearby Orcas Island offers dedicated tent sites at Mountain Lake Campground, while marine state parks like Sucia Island, Obstruction Pass, and Clark Island provide boat-in and walk-in tent camping opportunities with varying levels of amenities. These island campgrounds typically require ferry or boat access, creating a more secluded camping experience.
Most primitive tent sites in the San Juan Islands marine state parks feature basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, but limited or no drinking water. Campers should pack in all necessary supplies, including water and food storage containers to protect against wildlife. According to one visitor, "The vault toilets were some of the cleanest I'd seen," though facilities vary by location. Many sites require advance reservations through Washington State Parks, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis, particularly at smaller marine state parks and primitive camping areas.
The tent camping experience near Lummi Island offers unique island perspectives and marine wildlife viewing opportunities. Sites at Obstruction Pass State Park provide beach access with rocky shorelines ideal for kayakers and boaters. A recent review noted that "The sites were large; we were able to fit 8 tents in two sites, and took over a third site for cooking and eating." Pine and Cedar Lakes Primitive Camping, accessible via a steep but short hike from Bellingham, offers a more secluded forest camping experience with sites marked by log benches. Most tent campgrounds in the area experience seasonal crowds during summer months, with September often providing better availability and more solitude. Campers should be prepared for wildlife encounters, including raccoons at island campsites, which necessitates proper food storage.
