Glamping options around Marysville, Washington cluster primarily along the Puget Sound and nearby lakes within a 30-mile radius of the city center. The region averages 46 inches of rainfall annually, with summers typically dry and mild—perfect for outdoor recreation from July through September when temperatures range from 65-80°F. Many glamping accommodations in this area occupy former timber industry sites, connecting visitors to the region's logging heritage.
What to do
Beach exploration at Deception Pass: Visitors can walk the expansive shoreline at Deception Pass State Park, where coastal hiking trails connect to the nearby lighthouse. "The little store right outside the camp has amazing salmon," notes camper Kaila R., who recommends bringing proper footwear for the rocky beaches.
Wildlife viewing along Puget Sound: At Camano Island State Park, visitors regularly spot marine wildlife during crabbing season. "This campground's beach access gets very busy during crabbing season as all the boaters rush to the boat launch here," mentions reviewer wisepig. The park offers specialized wildlife viewing platforms for better sightings.
Historical tours at Fort Casey: Military history buffs can explore concrete bunkers and artillery emplacements dating back to the early 1900s. "We like to watch the ferries and they don't make that much noise. But, this is near a major Naval Air Force base in Oak Harbor," explains Judy T., noting the unique mix of maritime and military heritage accessible from the campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Kayak Point County Park, the layout prevents the crowded feeling common at other waterfront campgrounds. "This is a great campground, it only has one loop of camping and it's a small county park, but surprisingly the sites are not on top of each other and there is good privacy between sites," explains Brooks S., who appreciates the secluded camping experience despite its popularity.
Year-round accessibility: Most glamping locations near Marysville remain open throughout winter months, though with reduced amenities. "We went for a winter meet-up with my local teardrop trailer group. As mentioned in other reviews, the beach campground is very open with little privacy between spots, but there is quite a bit of space," reports Christina F. about her January stay at Fort Worden State Park.
Short drive convenience: The relative proximity to Seattle makes these glamping sites popular for weekend getaways without extensive travel time. "Camano Island is a great campground for newly and/or easy campers. It's a bit far enough away from the city but not too far away of a long drive," explains Nikki R., highlighting the appeal for urban residents seeking quick escapes.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites book completely during summer months, particularly weekend dates from June through September. For tent camping at Fay Bainbridge Park, be prepared for walk-in sites only. "Booked and told tent sites could be driven up to. Not the case. Host was very nice. Beautiful place," warns Robert N. about the misconception regarding site accessibility.
Military aircraft noise: Several campgrounds experience periodic jet noise from nearby Naval operations. "For over two hours, we were treated to intermittent but frequent LOUD jets flying close to the ground. We both had headaches and our dogs were upset," reports a Fort Casey visitor, noting this occurs primarily on weekdays during training exercises.
Shower token systems: Many facilities require tokens or coins for hot shower use. "The showers have great water pressure and hot water. I was kinda disappointed that they aren't a little more private but still got the job done," notes Bri S. about facilities at Kayak Point County Park, where tokens can be purchased at the entrance booth.
Tips for camping with families
Beachfront access: River Meadows Park offers family-friendly river beaches with shallow water access. "Great little campground if you want to head to the river! Short walk to beach on river. Great river floating, swimming etc. Some trails and a huge open field for play!!" describes Mindy P., emphasizing the kid-friendly water features.
Playground amenities: Several glamping sites feature modern playground equipment within sight of camping areas. "Amazing kids area pirate ship. Great beach walk and good camp sites," recommends Tanya B. about the elaborate play structures at Fay Bainbridge Park that keep children entertained between water activities.
Open field activities: Many campgrounds include large grassy areas suitable for ball games and group activities. "This is a huge group site. Has running water, a couple fire pits and a bunch of picnic tables. These are lots of level spots to pitch tents," reports Bridget S. about accommodating 22 children comfortably at a group site.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: RV campers should verify pad lengths before booking, as many historic campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "All campsites are surrounded by trees so choose carefully if you need a pull through or if you have a large rig that you're trying to back up," advises Jamie S. about Kayak Point, where sites can accommodate most medium-sized RVs but require careful navigation.
Internet connectivity: Remote work campers can find usable cell signals at select locations. "Give this new world of remote work, I also included a SpeedTest if someone is considering to work from a campsite," notes Brooks S., who found sufficient connectivity at Kayak Point for basic online functions, though signal strength varies significantly between campgrounds.
Limited dump stations: Not all glamping sites offer sewer hookups or dump stations. "The downside is there is no sewage dumping site at the park. However there are public bathroom available," cautions ML D. about Fay Bainbridge Park, requiring RVers to plan ahead for waste management during longer stays.
