Camping options near Oak Harbor, Washington include state park campgrounds and military facilities set along the coastline where Puget Sound meets the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The region experiences a marine climate with mild, wet winters and cool summers, with average temperatures ranging from 45°F in winter to 70°F in summer. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island's presence means campers should expect periodic jet noise at certain campgrounds, especially during weekday training exercises.
What to do
Explore historic military installations: Fort Casey State Park offers well-preserved coastal artillery batteries and a lighthouse open for exploration. One visitor noted, "Really neat military relics. Walk to the ferry to visit Port Townsend for the day. Camp in the deep woods. This place is awesome!"
Go crabbing in season: Camano Island State Park provides excellent crabbing access. A camper mentioned, "This campground's beach access gets very busy during crabbing season as all the boaters rush to the boat launch here."
Beach exploration at low tide: At Deception Pass State Park, wait for low tide for the best shoreline discoveries. "The hiking trail is a little 3 mile loop with beautiful views. When you enter the park if you keep driving to the end of the road you'll get to a large parking lot. Drive to the furthest point of that and you'll reach this beach access."
Kayak the currents: The waters around Oak Harbor offer challenging paddling opportunities. According to a visitor: "We even spent a few hours playing in the current that rips through Deception Pass. If you're looking for a large park with lot's of outdoor recreation opportunities, this is a nice location."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Rhododendron Campground offers exceptional site separation in a forested setting. A camper observed, "I had my eye on Rhododendron Campground, but checked at the State Parks on the way here. They were all packed full. I'm so glad this is where I ended up. Much cheaper ($15/site), much smaller (15 sites total), excellent site placement & sense of privacy."
Clean facilities: Kayak Point County Park maintains well-kept amenities. According to a review: "Spacious campsites. Running water. Flushing toilets. Showers. A tranquil Puget Sound experience. I'll keep coming back."
Year-round accessibility: Winter camping remains available at select sites. One visitor shared: "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."
Yurt options: Yurt camping in Oak Harbor, Washington offers comfortable alternatives to traditional tenting. A reviewer of Kayak Point noted: "The coolest thing about the campground is the yurts. They're modern and pretty close together if it's just your family, but we were here for a scout event and it was just so neat staying in the yurts, especially in the colder months."
What you should know
Expect jet noise: The proximity to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island means periodic aircraft flyovers. A camper at Fort Casey State Park reported: "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."
Limited sewer hookups: Many campgrounds have partial hookups only. One visitor warned: "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."
Seasonal facility closures: Off-season visits may have reduced services. A Rhododendron Campground visitor noted: "There appear to be other bathrooms but they were locked up."
Reservation requirements vary: Some sites are first-come, first-served while others require advance booking. A review explains: "They have several secluded campsites set aside for hikers and bikers, and they were totally worth the work. If you plan to hike or bike in and use these spots, get there as early as you can."
Tips for camping with families
Shallow swimming beaches: Fort Worden State Park offers safe places for children to swim. A family reported: "Fun and safe campground. Near the beach with a small aquarium open on the weekend. The family had a blast."
Playground access: Some parks include play equipment near camping areas. A reviewer mentioned: "There's a playground and the shore to keep the kids busy and fishing for us."
Hiking difficulty levels: Trails suitable for different ages can be found throughout the area. According to one parent: "There are flush toilets and potable water. The site was arranged perfectly to house us all. Friends did join me which added company to the breathtaking sunset at the bay and the following day companions at the lake."
Junior Ranger programs: Educational activities are available for children at certain parks. A visitor recommended: "Kids of all ages should do the Junior Ranger program which the Gift Shop has the packets."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Beach Campground — Fort Worden Historical State Park accommodates various RV sizes but requires planning. A reviewer advised: "Jan 24-26, 2025. 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."
Dump station availability: Not all parks offer dump stations on premises. One RVer noted: "For those with RVs/Trailers there is no dump station at this park and the sites do not have a sewer hookup."
Winter camping considerations: Freezing temperatures may affect water hookups. A camper shared this experience: "Full hook up sites are available for more. There are flush toilets and potable water. The only faucet operating currently is the pump spigot as others were shut off due to frost."
Site layout challenges: Many Oak Harbor area campgrounds feature forested settings that can make backing in difficult. According to a visitor: "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."
