Cabin camping near Stanwood, Washington offers year-round options along the Puget Sound. Most cabins are located within a 30-minute drive of Stanwood, stretching from Camano Island to Whidbey Island and the mainland near Burlington. Winter cabin stays are common with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing, though cabins with heating systems are recommended from November through March.
What to do
Beach exploration at low tide: Fort Flagler Historical State Park provides access to beaches where visitors can observe marine life. "Lots to do there...beach, crabbing, clamming, playground, sport courts, trails, and the most fun is exploring all the gun batteries," notes one camper at Fort Flagler.
Winter camping excursions: Deception Pass State Park remains open in colder months with heated cabin options. "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," reports Erica G.
Lighthouse visits: Fort Casey State Park offers historical lighthouse exploration combined with beachcombing. A visitor shares, "Fort Casey provides a wonderful journey to the past. The guns and lighthouse give many hours of exploration. The expansive grass fields allow a place to run our dog and fly kites."
Island ferry day trips: Fort Worden Historical State Park cabins provide easy access to ferry routes. "The Port Townsend ferry is right there so you can enjoy watching the ferry come and go. It would also be a great day excursion to walk onto the ferry and spend the day walking around and exploring Port Townsend," explains a Fort Casey visitor.
What campers like
Private cabin layouts: At Bay View State Park, the cabin arrangements provide good separation. "Bayview is one of my husband and I's favorite state parks for short term camping. Even when it's full, it's peaceful and the majority of sites have decent privacy via trees + shrubs," writes CJ W.
Group accommodations: Larger cabin sites accommodate multiple families at some locations. One visitor to Camano Island State Park explains, "Stayed in the group site with my daughter's American Heritage Girls troop. We had 22 girls and there was plenty of room. This is a huge group site. Has running water, a couple fire pits and a bunch of picnic tables."
Winter accessibility: Heated cabins provide off-season comfort when tent camping isn't practical. A winter visitor to Fort Casey notes, "We visited Fort Casey in early November, 2020. We used the AC power and water hookups for our 25ft trailer. The site is located near the beach, so naturally there isn't much privacy and you are constantly exposed to the elements. However, the beautiful water and mountain scenery more than compensate."
Historical features: Fort Flagler Historical State Park cabins place guests near military history sites. "We did the tour and it was very informative. Lots of history and there are even a few geocaches. There is also a museum," reports Jill T.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Some cabin locations experience noise from nearby military operations. A Fort Casey visitor noted, "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."
Seasonal bathroom access: At La Conner RV, winter campers may find limited facilities. A visitor reported in June 2023: "Dump stations and all campsite sewer hookups are down for maintenance. Nearest offsite dumps are 10 miles away."
Advance planning required: North Whidbey RV Park offers last-minute availability but with limitations. "We called early afternoon and asked if they had a space for that night for a fifth wheel with total rig length 53ft. Nice grass around all the campsites, 50 Amp electricity, water and sewer," shares a camper.
Off-season vacancy patterns: Deception Pass offers unique winter opportunities. "Always a great time! There's lots of beaches to walk and trails to hike. The little store right outside the camp has amazing salmon," mentions Kaila R.
Tips for camping with families
Safety-conscious sites: Camano Island offers cabin camping suitable for young children. "Want to feel safe and secure? I reserved space 97 at deception state park for just myself and was just amazed of the feeling safe when I arrived. Set way back from the road the campsite was surrounded by wilderness with a cute trail to the bathroom," shares Aletta M.
Kid-friendly activities: Burlington-Anacortes KOA provides structured family activities. "This is a well kept campground. It is clean and safe. The summer weekends have pancake breakfast and ice cream socials," mentions a camper.
Multi-generational options: North Whidbey RV Park offers both cabin and RV options for extended family stays. "We spent the weekend here with my sister and her family who rented one of the cabins at the RV Park. The cabin was very simple, clean and had a well-stocked kitchen. They enjoyed their stay and it was a convenient way for all of us to spend more time together," writes Kristin S.
Water safety considerations: Camano Island State Park has designated swimming areas appropriate for younger children. A visitor reports, "Cranberry Lake has a designated swimming area where the water is super shallow and just perfect for the kiddos."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Camano Island State Park, location matters significantly. "Wow did we luck out, last min stay and got a site RIGHT on the water! Site 10. Worth every penny, great little hikes and wonderful spaces," shares Kimberly W.
Seasonal vacancy patterns: Fort Flagler becomes first-come, first-served during off-season. "Awesome fall and winter camping. First come first serve after Oct 31st. Spend a long weekend there last week. No problem finding 2 sites side by side for 40 ft rigs. Great hiking and exploring," reports Mike K.
Practical amenities: Deception Pass State Park provides useful services for longer stays. "This campground is great, the reservation system is super easy to use, facilities are clean, there's a convenient store within walking distance for any forgotten camp essentials, and trails to the bridge and beaches leave from right next to the sites."
Road condition awareness: Access to some cabin areas requires careful navigation. "Trees hanging low over road need to be trimmed. Narrow road into campground creates issues if you meet a wide Class C on the road," warns Nancy R. about changes at Camano Island State Park.
