Best Dispersed Camping near Point Roberts, WA
Dispersed camping options near Point Roberts, Washington are primarily boat-in or hike-in destinations on islands and natural areas. Point Doughty provides three non-reservable primitive sites on Department of Natural Resources land, requiring boat access and offering no amenities beyond picnic tables and fire rings. Hope Island Marine State Park offers boat-access camping with similar primitive conditions. Pine Lake Campground features hike-in sites that require permits and prohibit fires, maintaining a minimalist backcountry experience for visitors seeking seclusion.
Access to these dispersed camping areas requires specific transportation planning. Point Doughty campsites sit atop a steep bluff from the beach landing area, with a challenging path that may involve loose dirt and requires careful navigation when carrying equipment. During low tide, the rocky shoreline can be difficult for kayaks and small watercraft. Hope Island camping necessitates crossing potentially rough waters by kayak or boat, with no alternative land access. Pine Lake sites are reached exclusively by hiking trails, with no vehicle access available and limited facilities once there.
These remote camping locations provide unique wilderness experiences away from developed facilities. Point Doughty offers epic views and opportunities to observe marine wildlife, including orcas and sea lions. One camper noted, "During low tide it is very rocky and tough on fiberglass kayaks, but there's a small path that can launch one or two kayaks at a time." Hope Island delivers a secluded island camping experience with trails circling the small landmass. A visitor remarked, "We kayaked to the island, the waters were pretty rough so I would recommend for anyone planning to stay here to look into the waters, tide and wind report the day of." Pine Lake campers should expect to share the area with day hikers, as reviews indicate: "Cute sites, but you will be interrupted 500 times a day with walkers who use the trail and want to go straight through your site."
