Camping options near Startup, Washington range from established campgrounds to remote primitive sites nestled in the western foothills of the North Cascades. The area sits at elevations between 500-800 feet in the valleys, with surrounding mountains rising to over 6,000 feet. Winter temperatures average 35-45°F with frequent rain, while summer brings 70-85°F days and significantly less precipitation, making May through October the primary camping season.
What to do
Swimming in alpine lakes: Barclay Lake offers a refreshing swimming spot after a moderate 2-mile hike with just 500 feet of elevation gain. A camper noted, "Went here in the snow but this place is a great hike in spot. Not too long of a hike and has very rewarding views."
Blackberry picking: At Wallace Falls State Park Campground, summer visitors can forage for wild berries near camp. One reviewer shared, "If camping in July-August, blackberries abound! I picked enough berries to share with my crew. There is nothing better than perfectly ripe blackberries on a camping ⛺️ trip."
Hike to waterfalls: The trails at Wallace Falls feature multiple scenic cascades. A camper mentioned, "The hike to Wallace Falls (lower & upper) is moderate & enjoyable. The 'wooded hike' meanders along the Wallace River, which is said to have salmon & steelhead in August."
Alpaca viewing: Paca Pride Guest Ranch combines camping with animal encounters. A visitor commented, "Camped on a yurt tent pad here and it was awesome. Alpacas and other animals. Mellow and fun!"
What campers like
Private, secluded sites: Hollyhock Farm offers tent camping spots tucked away in the forest. A reviewer praised, "The sites were secluded from one another within a beautiful forest, the toilet was clean and fairly close to the sites, parking was easy and the host was a total gem!"
Riverside locations: The South Fork Sauk River area provides tent camping with river access. One camper mentioned, "Numerous spacious tent sites with fire rings and gorgeous river & Mountain View camp grounds."
Uncrowded camping: Squire Creek Park & Campground sometimes has availability even during busy holidays. A camper was pleasantly surprised: "Reservable campsites, mature forest, 2 hours from Seattle, not full on Labor Day weekend! I didn't know that existed."
Forest camping: Squire Creek offers sites beneath tall evergreens. A visitor observed, "It's a nice small campground on the Mountain Loop Highway. It has very dense trees and a small beach on a creek for wading."
What you should know
Road conditions: The Mountain Loop Highway turns from paved to gravel, affecting access to some sites. One camper cautioned, "Once the highway turned into a gravel road is when I started seeing nice dispersed campsites."
Dust issues: Summer camping along unpaved roads requires extra preparation. A reviewer at South Fork Sauk River noted, "The Mountain Loop Highway is gravel and dirt through here, and many people travel too fast on it and kick up a lot of dust. This gets everywhere, so be careful of allergies and expect to clean all your gear."
Bathroom facilities: Availability and maintenance of toilets varies widely. One Squire Creek camper reported, "During the early evening of our first night, they came and locked the bathrooms leaving the entire campground with one, well used portable toilet."
Noise levels: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds despite forest settings. A reviewer mentioned, "We had carefully selected our site to be away from the road but we were unsuccessful in escaping the sound."
Tips for camping with families
Easy hiking options: Wallace Falls offers kid-friendly trails. A visitor noted, "The 'wooded hike' meanders along the Wallace River, which is said to have salmon & steelhead in August. The waterfalls are beautiful & well worth the hike."
Wading areas: Squire Creek includes shallow water access perfect for children. According to a review, "It has a small beach on a creek for wading. Hiking trails and a larger river are a short drive away."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Monte Cristo Campground serves as a base for family nature exploration. A camper explained, "If you want something in between drive in camping and backpacking, this is it. The hike up to the site was very simple and easy and the actual hike itself was beautiful."
Berry picking activities: Summer camping provides edible nature lessons. A Wallace Falls camper shared, "I picked enough berries to share with my crew. There is nothing better than perfectly ripe blackberries on a camping trip."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Squire Creek, RV campers should check site dimensions carefully. A camper advised, "If camping in a trailer, take special note of accessibility of the site by checking out the campground map. I would recommend the sites 1 - 11 area as most accessible for trailers."
Campsite accessibility: Some sites have physical constraints for larger vehicles. One RVer explained, "The site we chose was based on length but it was narrow, with a tree branch that kept us from going further back on the site and some tricky turns to get to it."
Seasonal planning: Tent camping Startup, Washington areas can be enjoyed year-round with proper preparation. A visitor to Squire Creek noted, "Early spring and fall much more tranquil. Overall nice stay!"
Connectivity: Some campgrounds offer cell service despite remote locations. A Squire Creek camper mentioned, "Great pitstop on the way to northern cascades. We had a site away from the road so minimal road noise. Good connectivity on verizon."
