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Camping near Bellingham, WA

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Campgrounds near Bellingham provide options along the Puget Sound coastline and inland forest areas. Larrabee State Park Campground, located on Samish Bay about six miles south of Bellingham, offers both tent and RV camping with hookups in a forested setting near the shoreline. For those seeking a more primitive experience, Pine and Cedar Lakes Primitive Camping provides hike-in tent sites accessible by trail. The region includes several state parks with cabins and developed facilities, including Birch Bay State Park north of the city and Deception Pass State Park to the south. KOA campgrounds in Lynden and Burlington supplement these public lands with additional amenities for RV travelers.

    Many campgrounds in the Bellingham area require advance reservations, especially during summer months when sites fill quickly. Larrabee State Park and other developed facilities typically offer amenities like drinking water, picnic tables, and showers, while primitive sites at locations like Pine and Cedar Lakes have minimal infrastructure. Weather conditions remain mild year-round, though winter camping requires preparation for rain and cool temperatures. Most state park campgrounds in the region operate throughout the year, providing camping opportunities regardless of season. A recent review noted that "Clean campground in the rainforest along Chuckanut Drive...While it's a beautiful forest campground, the campsites are pretty close together and not very private."

    Noise from passing trains represents a common issue at Larrabee State Park, with several visitors mentioning the disruption in reviews. According to one camper, "The trains aren't kidding. They are loud and they are all night." Campsites at Pine and Cedar Lakes provide a more secluded experience, requiring a "steep but short hike" to reach the primitive camping areas. These lakeside sites offer greater solitude but lack facilities. Beach access represents a highlight at coastal campgrounds, with tide pools and shoreline exploration opportunities at Larrabee State Park. Proximity to mountain biking and hiking trails adds recreational value to many of the campgrounds in the region, particularly those along Chuckanut Drive. The combination of coastal and forest settings gives Bellingham-area campgrounds distinct character compared to other camping regions in Washington.

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    Best Campgrounds near Bellingham (264)

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      1. Larrabee State Park Campground

      3.9(43)7mi from Bellingham99 sitesRVs, Tents

      "We have not camped at Larabee State Park, but we did scope it out during a recent visit to Bellingham. Here’s what we saw: Great newer looking playground for kids: bonus for families!"

      "Larrabee State Park is a publicly owned recreation area located on Samish Bay, six miles (10 km) south of the city of Bellingham, Washington."

      from $12 - $70 / night

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      2. Deception Pass State Park Campground

      4.5(113)26mi from Bellingham349 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Some trails walking distance from the campsite to gorgeous beaches while others we drove to get to other trails and scenic lookouts. I loved every minute staying there."

      "This is one of the most popular locations in Washington State and easy to see why. Both fresh and salt water experiences are within a few steps away with amazing sunsets and breathtaking views."

      from $12 - $144 / night

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      3. Birch Bay State Park Campground

      4.5(35)17mi from Bellingham172 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "This was our first trip in a new trailer, and the park is close to home for us, so perfect for our maiden voyage. Shaded sites, some hookup (water/electric), but most unserviced."

      "Beautiful campground located right next to the bay awesome walking distance from our site to the bay and not too noisy either! Would definitely stay again perfect for small children as well!"

      from $12 - $113 / night

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      4. Bay View State Park Campground

      4.0(33)18mi from Bellingham93 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Beach walks and a county path nearby. There is also a marine center with small aquarium nearby."

      "Our spot backed up to beautiful trees and was nicely situated to not feel crowded."

      from $12 - $87 / night

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      5. Lynden/Bellingham KOA

      4.1(18)14mi from BellinghamRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Lynden KOA was the perfect nearby campground. Tent sites in the back are rather dusty (no grass)… but then again we’re camping so who cares. Grassy sites are around the pond and book up quickly."

      "This part of Washington is beautiful. We have been a few times, but never hiked or camped. The weather was perfect for us, so much sunshine and warm weather!"

      from $60 - $120 / night

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      6. Oostema Farmstead

      5.0(8)14mi from Bellingham5 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "It's close to Lynden, Bellingham and the coast right near the Canadian border.  If you have time drive east to Emerson or Demming - great ride through the farmlands...."

      "It is located on a working farm. There were chickens, cows, calves, a heron (I think it was nesting near the driveway), a raspberry field, a garden and even a cat wandering around. "

      from $35 - $65 / night

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      7. Pine and Cedar Lakes Primitive Camping

      4.7(3)4mi from BellinghamTents

      "Close to Bellingham, no bay views but nice scenery, little lake, and dense forest nonetheless. Good steep trails nearby and charming boardwalks."

      "Steep but short hike, but hey, it's close to town! A 15 minute drive from downtown Bellingham and you get yourself a secluded, quiet lake."

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      8. Burlington-Anacortes KOA

      4.1(10)15mi from BellinghamRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "There is a creek that goes by the campground and it makes it for a nice walk with dogs or without dogs :) There are a lot of trees there, which provide shade for part of the day, which is great."

      "Large sites are surrounded by woods and farmland. This is a great weekend getaway."

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      9. The Cedars RV Resort

      4.3(4)10mi from BellinghamRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "There are several back in spots around the perimeter with a bit more room (length). There are spaces with sufficient width for tip outs and those without."

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      10. Bellingham RV Park

      3.3(3)4mi from BellinghamRVs

      "Flew in to the Bellingham airport, picked up a vehicle and arrived at Bellingham RV Park at about dusk (if you can't tell from the photos). Registration process was super-easy."

      "Cute RV-only park not far from the Canadian border. Parking spots are pretty straight-forward, as it’s just a lot for RVs. Advanced reservations are highly recommended. No tent camping available."

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    Recent Camping Photos near Bellingham, WA

    255 Photos of 264 Bellingham Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Recent Reviews near Bellingham, WA

    1039 Reviews of 264 Bellingham Campgrounds

    • LThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 31, 2026

      Silver Lake County Park

      A fabulous county park

      The county redid an older CG about 6 years ago (?), and they did a beautiful job throughout. The roads and driveways are all asphalt, the spaces mostly large, and depending on the site, have nice privacy. The bathroom facility is beautifully done.

      Maple Creek CG part of the 3 CG park is the best for the rv crowd with water/electricity, and a dump station. There are a number of trails taking walkers to the beach area having lots of grass, boat rentals, and trails connecting to the other two CG’s.

      We don’t get cell coverage (Verizon or AT&T), so we now bring the Starlink Mini beginning in 2025.

      And we love the beautiful trees, not too dense, allowing sunshine coming in. We used to tent, have a 27’ Airstream nowadays, but this CG is like a beautiful USFS experience.

    • LThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 31, 2026

      Lake Erie Campground

      A really nice area to camp

      Behind the small well kept store is the lawned campground for tenters, or RVs. The flat area is well kept grass on the shoreline of Lake Erie and has a dock. New orange tables for each site. Looming across the road is wonderful Mt. Erie and the Anacortes Community Forest Lands with many trails for all levels. Trail maps online, and one can connect to a trail just walking a short bit. Mt Erie has a gorgeous view of the San Juans, Whidbey Island, Olympics, Cascades and eagles flying by. The south face has many rock climbs for all levels, even at least one 5.13! A noted area for newbies trying rock climbing, with someone to assist.

      There are basically no trees, but with the grass and sunshine, wonderful. Downtown Anacortes is about 10 minutes away. Scenic Deception Pass to Whidbey Island less than that, or a nearby trail makes a scenic hike to the bridge. A great place to explore so many things.

    • Ed S.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 30, 2026

      Larrabee State Park Campground

      Nice state park campground

      Very nice campground located within the state park. Sites can be a little tight! Bathroom and showers were very well kept!

    • Katherine C.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 29, 2026

      Mt Baker Hwy gravel pull off. Free: April 1-Nov 1

      Good staging area for baker or shuksan

      A big open gravel pull out about the size of a football field maybe. It’s used as a Sno-Park in the winter and has a couple trailheads in the back. A couple cars pulled down the FS road labeled “ski” in the back so there may be more private sites down that road, but I don’t know firsthand.

    • Kim G.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 28, 2026

      Upper Forest Campground — Fort Worden Historical State Park

      So much to see and do

      Fort Worden State Park has it all. Proximity to a wonderful town, Port Townsend (we rode our bikes there), a hardware store we needed for repairs, amazing scenery and history, trails, kayak rentals, coffee cafe and coffee truck (shout out to Heidi at Gypsy Coffeehouse (food truck behind visitor center). We will go back for way more than the overnight we had.

    • Kim G.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 28, 2026

      Deception Pass State Park Campground

      We keep returning here

      Deception Pass State Park is an incredible place to camp. The scenery and hikes have a wow factor. We enjoy the smaller Quarry Pond side. Great facilities. Wonderful campground.

    • RThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 26, 2026

      Town and Country Motorcoach and RV Resort

      Tucked away

      In the middle of everything! But quiet! The I-5 off ramp easy.

      High end site; great for families w/small pool & hot tub. Restaurant on site was super good! High-quality ingredients crafted with care.

      The site is designed with sunrises and sunsets in mind.

    • CThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 22, 2026

      NF Dispersed Camping

      Bacon Creek Road

      Very convenient spot. I didn’t have to go far in to find a place to car camp for the night. So I can’t speak to what’s further up the road (including Forest Road 1062, which is the marker for this Dyrt listing). I was still on Forest Road 1060, which is labeled Bacon Creek Road from Highway 20. Initially I drove past it trying to find where my map told me to turn based on the GPS. So just keep an eye out for Bacon Creek Road. Google Maps labels at Forest Road 1060.

    Guide to Bellingham

    Camping near Bellingham offers diverse lakeside and forest camping experiences within a short drive from the city. Situated in Whatcom County with elevations ranging from sea level to 1,000 feet, the area experiences mild summer temperatures averaging 70°F with cool nights in the 50s. Winter camping requires preparation for frequent rainfall, with December through February averaging 5-7 inches of precipitation monthly.

    What to Do

    Paddle sports on Mountain Lake: At Moran State Park, visitors can enjoy kayaking on the calm lake waters. "This is a large campground on Orcas Island. It sits on Lake Moran which is a fun lake to kayak and cliff jump," notes Rich M., highlighting the water activities available.

    Hiking at Pine and Cedar Lakes: The trails offer a challenging but rewarding experience with a "steep but short hike" to reach the primitive camping areas. "Close to Bellingham, no bay views but nice scenery, little lake, and dense forest nonetheless. Good steep trails nearby and charming boardwalks," reports Harry H.

    Wildlife watching: Many campgrounds around Bellingham provide opportunities to spot local fauna. At Larrabee State Park Campground, campers might encounter "furry neighbours" as one reviewer warns: "Just be aware that it has some nosy raccoon residents who feel very comfortable coming right up to camp to investigate your food situation."

    What Campers Like

    Lakeside camping spots: At Mountain Lake in Moran State Park, campers appreciate waterfront sites. "We were in site 22, right on the water (but also right next to the access road.) There is a lovely 3 mile hike around the lake with a fun bridge to jump off of to swim," shares Jessica B.

    Beach access: Birch Bay State Park Campground offers excellent beach recreation opportunities. "Grab a meal at the near by Doe Bay resort, you wont be disapointed!" recommends one visitor, while another notes, "If you're the type that loves walks along the beach and breath taking sunsets... Brich Bay State Park is the place to be!"

    Private wooded sites: Several campgrounds feature secluded sites. At Deception Pass State Park Campground, one camper found "Feeling safe and secure" noting, "Set way back from the road the campsite was surrounded by wilderness with a cute trail to the bathroom."

    What You Should Know

    Train noise: Multiple reviews mention the railway near Larrabee State Park. "Lovely area and views. We visited in the winter, so it was quiet. Downside was the trains barreling through all night. Could barely sleep with earplugs," reports Daryl N.

    Military jet sounds: Campers at Deception Pass should prepare for overhead noise. "Definitely worth a stay with it's proximity to the beach, stargazing, hiking. The whole area feels magical. Plus Anacortes is a fun town just a few minutes away. The only downside is the noise from the naval base nearby. You'll hear jets overhead on a regular basis."

    Limited privacy at some sites: Many reviewers note the close quarters at popular campgrounds. One camper at Bay View State Park Campground observed, "Just 20 minutes from Mount Vernon/Burlington, near the water front/slough. Small campsites (some really tiny) with picnic tables, pit toilets and potable water."

    Tips for Camping with Families

    Playground access: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "We stayed during Memorial weekend and had a blast! With young children we loved that Larrabee had a playground area and easy access to the beach," shares Carlyn N.

    Kid-friendly amenities: Lynden-Bellingham KOA offers numerous activities for children. "Great Amenities…. Swimming pool, mini golf, arcade games, paddle boats. Lots of trees and shade! I love how it's tucked away and you forget your right in Lynden," notes Renee R.

    Farm experiences: Unique accommodations like Oostema Farmstead provide educational opportunities. "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," reports Christina B.

    Tips from RVers

    Site leveling challenges: Prepare leveling blocks at some campgrounds. One RVer at Larrabee noted, "We had site T6 which is full hook up pull through. The site was extremely unlevel front to back so much so my rear stabilizers barely touched the ground."

    Hookup options: Most state parks offer partial hookups. At Birch Bay, "Ewuipment: 30' Travel Trailer. Stayed in South Campgrounds. Road through campsites are a little tight, but we fit!! Dump station at the from of the park."

    Reservations essential: During peak season, advance booking is critical. "We were able to secure two spots next to each other. Busy place, but the spots are partitioned off by natural trees and shrubs," notes one family camper at Deception Pass State Park.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What amenities are available at Bellingham campgrounds?

    Swift Creek Campground provides excellent access to Northern Cascades hiking trails with beautiful scenery. This makes it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the wilderness. Oostema Farmstead offers grassy sites with updated hookups, picnic tables, and level camping areas. They also sell meat from their grass-fed cattle for a farm-to-table experience. Many campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities like running water and restrooms. Some locations offer coin-operated showers, playground equipment for children, and proximity to beaches. Amenities vary by campground, with more developed sites providing electric hookups, while primitive sites focus on natural surroundings with fewer facilities but more seclusion.

    Where are the best camping locations near Bellingham, Washington?

    Bellingham offers excellent camping options for nature lovers. Larrabee State Park Campground is located on Samish Bay just 6 miles south of Bellingham, offering fishing, boating, mountain trails for hiking and biking across its 2,683 acres. For those seeking a more secluded experience, Pine and Cedar Lakes Primitive Camping provides a tranquil setting close to Bellingham with scenic trails, charming boardwalks, and sites surrounded by dense forest with lake views. Other notable options include Swift Creek Campground with its great access to Northern Cascades trails, and Oostema Farmstead which offers pastoral views over raspberry fields. Each location provides unique experiences, from oceanfront settings to mountain vistas.

    Are there oceanfront camping options in the Bellingham area?

    Larrabee State Park Campground offers prime oceanfront camping on Samish Bay just south of Bellingham. The park features a charming beach with beautiful views, clean grounds, and bathroom facilities with coin-operated showers. Campers can enjoy quick access to both the beach and local amenities in Bellingham. The waterfront location provides an ideal setting where the mountains meet the sea, though be prepared for occasional train noise as tracks run near the campground. For additional oceanfront options, Bay View State Park Campground near Mount Vernon offers drive-in sites with water and toilet facilities. These coastal campgrounds provide stunning sunset views and water recreation opportunities while still maintaining proximity to urban conveniences.

    Is RV camping available near Bellingham, WA?

    Yes, RV camping is readily available near Bellingham. Bellingham RV Park is a dedicated RV-only facility with straightforward parking spots, convenient location near the Canadian border, and proximity to gas stations and the Bellingham Airport. The park features a lodge with laundry facilities and showers, and advanced reservations are highly recommended. No tent camping is available at this location. For those seeking alternatives, Birch Bay State Park Campground offers big-rig-friendly sites with water and toilet facilities. Some campgrounds offer electric hookups, though it's worth noting that at certain locations like Larrabee State Park, power may be shut off at specific hours. Most RV parks in the area require reservations, especially during peak season.

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