Mount Vernon camping sites range from riverfront state parks to marina-based facilities, offering year-round access across diverse landscapes. The area sits in the Skagit Valley at approximately 180 feet elevation with moderate precipitation ranging from 32 to 34 inches annually. Winter temperatures typically remain above freezing, while summer daytime temperatures average 70-75°F, creating favorable conditions for camping from spring through fall.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Bay View State Park Campground offers easy access to nearby biking routes. "The whole park was clean and pretty quiet! It was right on the water and was exactly the right distance from Seattle to make us feel like we'd really left," notes a camper at Bay View State Park Campground.
Explore local farms: Greenstone Farm Camping provides a rural setting with mountain views while remaining close to town. "Really nice farm with a great mountain view. Quiet rural setting but close to town (Mt. Vernon) if you need anything or just want to explore the farmer's market, as we did," according to a visitor at Greenstone Farm Camping.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear nights offer excellent celestial viewing at several campgrounds. "Definitely worth a stay with its proximity to the beach, stargazing, hiking. The whole area feels magical. Plus Anacortes is a fun town just a few minutes away," reports a visitor at Deception Pass State Park.
Kayaking and paddling: The Skagit River and nearby waterways provide ample paddling options. "I ended a two week long sea kayaking expedition here in the fall... We even spent a few hours playing in the current that rips through Deception Pass," shares a camper who enjoyed the water access.
What campers like
Off-season tranquility: Winter camping offers a quieter experience at many campgrounds. "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," explains a visitor at Deception Pass State Park Campground.
Well-maintained facilities: Campgrounds in the region generally feature clean restrooms and showers. "Bayview is one of my husband and I's favorite state parks for short term camping. Even when it's full, it's peaceful and the majority of sites have decent privacy via trees + shrubs," mentions a camper at Bay View State Park.
Walk-in camping options: For a more secluded experience, several parks offer hike-in sites. "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," shares a visitor who backpacked into Deception Pass State Park.
Riverfront access: Camping near water remains popular throughout the region. "Want to feel safe and secure? I reserved space 97 at deception state park for just myself and was just amazed of the feeling safe when I arrived. Set way back from the road the campsite was surrounded by wilderness with a cute trail to the bathroom," notes a solo camper.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from transportation corridors. "Park is remarkably pretty with older trees. Most of RV sites looked great & we loved ours. Read reviews that complain about low flying jets causing a racket. Happy to say we only encountered a couple jets making racket so our stay was relatively quiet," reports a visitor at Deception Pass describing the nearby Naval Air Base activity.
Limited sewer hookups: Several campgrounds have restricted numbers of full-hookup sites. "This is my first time using a thousand trails membership so I didn't know what to expect. But it was disappointing to find that the few sites that have a sewer connection were all taken and no way to know this in advance," cautions a camper at La Conner RV.
Fire restrictions: Seasonal fire bans may affect cooking plans. "Lovely beach with panoramic view of the bay, a short hike away. Friendly people. Good facilities. Fire risk high so no wood or charcoal fires," mentions a visitor at Bay View State Park.
Variable site sizes: Campsite dimensions vary significantly between and within campgrounds. "Small campsites (some really tiny) with picnic tables, pit toilets and potable water. Some sites have a water view, but most are tucked away in the trees," reports a camper regarding Bay View.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play structures for children. "Great park with lots of activities and a variety of spaces to explore. Love the open fields and walking trails with possibility of seeing elk," notes a visitor at Rasar State Park Campground.
Swimming areas: Look for designated swimming spots for safer water play. "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," shares a parent who camped at Deception Pass.
Accessibility options: Some campgrounds offer ADA-compliant facilities. "Great ADA camping. Trails are smooth enough for an electric wheelchair and the path to the river is paved. Not many spots so book early," advises a camper about Rasar State Park.
Indoor recreation alternatives: For rainy days, some facilities offer covered activity spaces. "This Koa was clean and well maintained. It had several amenities and the large sites 200-213 had Mountain View," reports a visitor at Burlington-Anacortes KOA.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites requiring additional equipment. "The sites in the new section are strangely not level, you can tell by the amount of blocks under the motorhomes," notes a visitor at Burlington-Anacortes KOA.
Pull-through availability: Several campgrounds offer easier access sites for larger rigs. "Each site has grass with central grass strip. Site is well maintained with showers shared with Marina. Clean excellent wifi and AT&T," reports a visitor at La Conner Marina RV Resort.
Winter accessibility: Many camping spots near Mount Vernon, Washington remain open year-round. "We stayed in January in our RV! We're able to get a spot with a water view and full power/water. Sewer sites are limited, no internet at the site and cell service is decent but not great," explains a camper at La Conner RV.
Utility reliability: Power and water connections generally remain operational throughout the year. "All the power poles, water, sewer hookups all look in good order. A few sites are reserved with a permanent sign, for RV's larger than 35' which is nice," mentions a visitor at Thousand Trails Mount Vernon.
