Cabin camping options near Shoreline range from forested settings to waterfront locations within a 50-mile radius. Most sites require reservations through the Washington State Parks system or county park websites, with booking windows opening 9 months in advance. The majority of cabin facilities maintain year-round operation, though winter access may involve reduced services at some locations.
What to do
Beach exploration: Dash Point State Park offers 3,000 feet of shoreline for exploring. "Fun and safe campground. Near the beach with a small aquarium open on the weekend. The family had a blast," notes visitor Nicholos J. The park includes hiking trails through forested areas connecting to beach access points.
Wildlife viewing: Dosewallips State Park provides opportunities to see elk and various bird species. "Every night, my husband and I would walk to the wildlife viewing platform to see lots of birds, or walk down by the river and see lots of elk and bald eagles," shares Amy & Stu B. The park sits along both river and coastal habitats.
Historic exploration: Fort Worden Historical State Park features military installations and a lighthouse. "There are two gun batteries right next to the campground and a trail right out to the beach. You are also close to the Point Wilson Lighthouse," Christina F. explains. The former military base includes multiple historic buildings open for tours.
What campers like
Yurt accommodations: Tolt MacDonald Park offers yurt camping near Shoreline, Washington with heated structures. "Spent a night in the yurt. Everything worked," reports Chris A. The yurts include electricity, beds, and heating for comfortable year-round use.
Waterfront views: Kitsap Memorial State Park provides direct water access. "Stayed at Kitsap Memorial Park past few days. Very quiet area, lots of room on site 9, walked to beach area," shares mike D. The park includes waterfront views of Olympic Mountains across the strait.
Private campsites: Dash Point State Park offers secluded sites despite urban proximity. "This campground is remarkable in the privacy between each of the camping spots, the bird life, the wild and deep forest vibes, and the walking trails," according to Brittany D. Most sites include substantial tree cover between neighbors.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabin and yurt camping near Shoreline requires advance planning. "Make sure and go to near by Hama Hama for their oysters," suggests Dean from Dosewallips State Park, highlighting the need to plan activities along with accommodations.
Seasonal crowds: Summer months see highest demand for yurt and cabin sites. "Even in winter, the park was busy with people during the day and the campground was full," Christina F. notes about Fort Worden, indicating year-round popularity.
Site spacing concerns: RV and cabin areas often feature close quarters. "The camper spots are really close together. There is a big field to play ride bikes walk dog etc.," reports Nicole R. from Kitsap Memorial State Park, suggesting booking corner sites when possible.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access considerations: Look for cabins and yurts with short walks to water. "The tent spots are clustered together in 2 areas with a shared covered pavilion... We drove down to the beach from the site but I'm pretty sure there is a trail if you wanted to walk," shares Bridget S. about Camano Island State Park.
Play areas: Several parks feature dedicated children's facilities. "Amazing kids area pirate ship. Great beach walk and good camp sites," reports Tanya B. about Fay Bainbridge Park, noting the specialized play equipment.
Swimming options: Check water safety conditions before visiting. "Cranberry Lake has a designated swimming area where the water is super shallow and just perfect for the kiddos," Travis D. explains about Deception Pass State Park, highlighting the family-friendly swimming area.
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Check service availability when booking. "If you want/need one, you cannot get one. Normally 30 amp posts are sufficient but we ended up here during a heat wave and an entire section of the park blew after having several days of power issues," warns Derek & Alex W. about Tall Chief Campground, highlighting the importance of electrical capacity.
Site selection strategies: Choose corner sites for more space. "No sewer. But if you enjoy a little distance between sites without sacrificing camp size line up here," advises Richard D. about Tall Chief, noting the tradeoff between hookups and space.
Arrival timing: Plan early arrival for better site options. "Larger RVs should be in the lower site numbers. Ours is mid-size and we barely fit in #26, though it was nicely shaded," shares Judy J. about Fay Bainbridge Park, indicating size restrictions at certain sites.
