Camping options around Point Roberts extend throughout the northwestern Washington region with sites spread across the San Juan Islands and mainland locations. The area's marine climate brings mild, relatively dry summers with temperatures typically ranging 65-75°F between June and September. Travelers should note that many campgrounds in this region require advance reservations during peak season, with some sites booking up to six months in advance.
What to do
Beach activities at Birch Bay: The shoreline offers excellent opportunities for shellfish harvesting at low tide. "This has to be one of my all time favorite places for Shell Fishing and Crabbing! Peaceful and not too busy, access to the beach, and group camp sites, makes this a family destination for quiet fun," notes a Birch Bay State Park Campground visitor.
Hiking on Orcas Island: Multiple trail systems provide access to mountain viewpoints and forest walks. A visitor to Southend Campground at Moran State Park shares, "It offers so many different things from miles of hiking trails to swimming holes, cliffs to jump from, fishing, boating spectacular views and so much more!"
Island exploration: Discover historical sites and natural features across the islands. "The best part of camping on Stuart Island is the walk up to the Turn Point Lighthouse. Along the way you can visit a small museum, the island's library, and an old one room schoolhouse," explains a camper at Stuart Island Marine State Park.
What campers like
Private waterfront access: Many sites offer direct beach or lake frontage. "The South End campsite, known for its spectacular views and proximity to the water, offered a perfect base for our outdoor retreat. Each site had enough room for our camping gear and offered a personal slice of the park's stunning natural scenery," reports a visitor to Moran State Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region hosts diverse marine and land animals. At Deception Pass State Park, a camper noted, "Saw several deer while here too. Lots of wildlife... 2 harbor seals stayed in the harbor the whole weekend. Saw several bald eagles. Saw a river otter and several raccoons."
Quiet natural settings: Despite popularity, many campgrounds maintain a peaceful atmosphere. One Deception Pass State Park Campground visitor describes, "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 jet making racket so our stay was relatively quiet."
What you should know
Ferry logistics: Island camping requires planning around ferry schedules. A camper at Southend Campground warns, "Do remember before booking a site that there is an hour long ferry ride to Orcas from Anacortes. You will need reservations in the summer. The campground is about 40 minutes drive time from the ferry."
Limited services: Many island campgrounds have minimal facilities. "We headed to here from Friday Harbor at the San Juan County launch. They have pit toilets and potable water," explains a Stuart Island Marine State Park visitor.
Wildlife precautions: Food storage is essential at island sites. "You need to store your food bins well due to aggressive racoons (we wedged ours under the picnic table benches)," advises a Stuart Island Marine State Park camper.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Several campgrounds offer equipment rentals for kids. A visitor to Lakedale Resort shares, "Our 4 year old daughter really enjoyed the activities that were offered, we made family matching tie dies, she made bird feeders, we rented a paddle boat one day and a row boat a different day."
Kid-friendly amenities: Some resorts have additional facilities beyond standard camping. "Since this is a resort, it's a great place for families with kids. Our boys took advantage of the games - tether ball, chess, horse shoes, etc. If you want to make full use of the resort, plan to stay 2+ nights," notes a Lakedale Resort camper.
Swimming areas: Many campgrounds feature designated swimming zones. "Swimming in Cascade Lake was undoubtedly a bonus that enhanced our camping experience. The lake's water was crystal clear, making it inviting at any time of the day," reports a Moran State Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access for larger rigs. A visitor to West Beach Resort advises, "You should be aware that for many of the sites, the hookups are on the 'wrong' side, necessitating driving your RV in rather than backing in. This makes it challenging when it comes time to unhook and then re-hook when leaving the site, especially for larger rigs."
Road conditions: Island roads may present challenges for RVs. "Road through campsites are a little tight, but we fit!! Dump station at the front of the park," notes a Birch Bay State Park visitor with a 30-foot travel trailer.
Limited dump facilities: Plan for waste management limitations. West Beach Resort campers point out, "The other challenge is that there is no dump station or sewer hookups. This was not an issue for us in our camper van but people in RVs should be aware of this."
