The northern border region of Sumas, Washington features a diverse mix of camping options within a short drive of the Canadian border. Sumas RV Park and Campground provides full-hookup sites with pull-through access for larger trailers, while Hidden Meadow Retreat offers a unique farm-based camping experience with private meadow sites. Silver Lake Park, approximately 20 minutes from Sumas, maintains year-round camping with lakefront access and hiking trails. Most campgrounds in this area accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several offering cabin rentals for those seeking more shelter from the Pacific Northwest elements. The proximity to Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest provides additional recreational opportunities beyond the immediate camping areas.
Cell phone coverage can be limited at many campgrounds in the Sumas area, particularly at Hidden Meadow Retreat where visitors recommend printing directions beforehand. As one camper noted, "There was no cell phone service for me, so I recommend printing directions. I trusted my GPS and it got me there, but I wasn't 100% sure I had arrived." Summer weekends typically see the highest demand for campsites, with many locations requiring advance reservations. The region experiences significant rainfall from late fall through spring, making summer and early fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Proximity to the Canadian border means international travelers should carry appropriate documentation when exploring the area's hiking trails, as some paths cross near or along the international boundary.
Waterfront sites at Silver Lake receive consistently high ratings from visitors who appreciate the mountain views and water access. Local campers often use these campgrounds as convenient weekend getaways, with one Sumas resident noting, "We take our kids on spontaneous outings in the trailer randomly. Sumas RV Park we go here often and keep going back! Availability is there!" The area offers good hiking opportunities, with Vedder Mountain providing trails that lead to ridges overlooking both the US and Canada. Winter visitors can use cabins and RV sites as base camps for skiing at Mt. Baker, though winter road conditions may require appropriate vehicles and preparation. Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities with at least basic amenities like picnic tables, fire pits, and toilets, though amenities vary significantly between primitive and developed sites.
$60 - $120 / night
"Lynden KOA was the perfect nearby campground. Tent sites in the back are rather dusty (no grass)… but then again we’re camping so who cares. Grassy sites are around the pond and book up quickly."
"This part of Washington is beautiful. We have been a few times, but never hiked or camped. The weather was perfect for us, so much sunshine and warm weather!"
$35 - $65 / night
"It is located on a working farm. There were chickens, cows, calves, a heron (I think it was nesting near the driveway), a raspberry field, a garden and even a cat wandering around. "
"It's close to Lynden, Bellingham and the coast right near the Canadian border. If you have time drive east to Emerson or Demming - great ride through the farmlands...."
$19 - $32 / night
"It's very well maintained--I noticed the maintenance crew and park staff were always cleaning, mowing, and doing whatever tasks around the campground on a daily basis."
"Its located right next to the lake, there are spots for tent camping as well as RV camping and for years we book an RV site but pitch our tents there because you can fit 3 tents on one site."
"This was our first trip in a new trailer, and the park is close to home for us, so perfect for our maiden voyage. Shaded sites, some hookup (water/electric), but most unserviced."
"Beautiful campground located right next to the bay awesome walking distance from our site to the bay and not too noisy either! Would definitely stay again perfect for small children as well!"
"Larrabee State Park is a publicly owned recreation area located on Samish Bay, six miles (10 km) south of the city of Bellingham, Washington."
"There is a train very close to the campground! It didn't bother us, but some might find that useful. We stayed 1 night here. It was pretty nice."
$25 - $600 / night
"We live in Sumas,so we are locals , we take our kids on spontaneous outings in the trailer randomly,just to get the kids out and enjoy our new 38 foot trave trailer!"
$30 / night
"Campground review: https://www.hipcamp.com/washington/hidden-meadow-retreat/hidden-meadow-retreat)
[Hidden Meadow Retreat](https://www.hipcamp.com/washington/hidden-meadow-retreat/hidden-meadow-retreat"
"I rented a long term space here for over 2 years while working in Washington. Price was by far the best around. It's a very good sized place with spaces to accommodate even the largest trailers."
$419 - $879 / night
LegendHoping this review will prompt the dyrt to remove this campground as there is no button to edit the campground and report for removal. The link for the website of this campground brings you to Hipcamp and there it states this campground is not actively accepting reservations. The last review was from summer 2023 so I think they are 'closed'.
ScoutThis is a local campground to me, but I have visited a few other KOA's in the State and this one is on another level. Very engaged campground and completely SAFE! I rarely would let my kids out of my site but at this campground I let them cruise around on their bikes and they go all over the place. The pool is clean and well kept. I will be returning to this campground for years to come.
ScoutThe coffee shop makes the best coffee, and the staff are super friendly and helpful. Updated sites and beautiful ponds with lots of ducks & baby ducks , eagles, owls. This campground is well maintained and clean , and they host fun events. Not far from downtown Lynden where there’s a variety of eating choices and fun stores.
RangerStayed on grass. Quiet and spacious. Lots of walking. Amenities on site. River access across the street. Stayed in 31’ class c motorhome
RangerQuiet and spread out. Plenty of hiking. Great river access for fly fishing. Winery next door. Stayed in 31’ class c motorhome.
TravelerWhat a Beautiful place this Location has to offer!!! Stunning views ! Beautiful beach! Amazing sunsets! Campground has really nice clean traditional camp sites! Plenty of sites! And an overflow Campground across the street that has a quite a few sites too,that are really nice and clean! We live fairly close and still enjoy going here a few weekends every year!
LegendWe followed RV Trip Wizard south on I-5 straight to the campground (CG). At the stoplight next to Lowe’s, you simply continue straight into the resort entrance for check-in. Check-in was super easy and informative, and we were then escorted to pull-through Site 11 with FHUs. A standout feature here is that each long pull-through has full utility hookups on both sides. Sewer placement was excellent—neither too high nor too low—and the sewer cap even swivels to align with your hose(something we’d never seen before). The pad was long enough for our 40' toy hauler with the patio down, plus convenient parking for our F450. It was interesting that a CG this nice did not have picnic tables nor fire pits/barbecues at the sites. Connectivity was great: campground Wi-Fi delivered~49 Mbps down/ 44 Mbps up, while T-Mobile Home Internet hit 133 Mbps down/ 9 Mbps up. On the north side of the CG is a tree farm where dogs can roam off-leash. We were also able to receive packages—very helpful coming back from Alaska/Canada—and even had our vehicle washed onsite. An RV tech staying in the CG was available for repairs. The campground hosts and workers could not have been more accommodating—allowing package delivery, coordinating vehicle washing and RV repairs, and most of all not fertilizing our grassy site because of our 15-year-old pup. There is some road and occasional train noise, but nothing too disruptive. They were getting the shower houses and laundry building finished up while we were there. This is a very nice, newer campground, and we thoroughly enjoyed our week-long stay.
ScoutOne amazing lake and a great spot in the BC wilderness to relax. Water is very cold but the views are great and the nighttime stars are even better.
There are a few hiking trails in the area, including Lindeman Lake, a must-hike if you're staying here.
ScoutGood little RV park, within walking distance of a dog park, children's park and public bathrooms which is nice. Only downside is that there is not septic at the spots which for $40 a night I would think that they would, but the water is clean and overall the whole lot is nicely kept up with and clean.
Camping spots near Sumas, Washington lie within Whatcom County where Mount Baker National Forest creates a backdrop of 10,781-foot volcanic peaks. Winter precipitation averages 46 inches annually, contributing to lush forest conditions through spring and summer. Most camping areas sit at elevations between 500-1,500 feet, with higher sites experiencing cooler nighttime temperatures even during summer months.
Kayaking at Silver Lake: Silver Lake Park provides easy water access with a designated launch area. "The lake swimming area is walkable via a trail that runs behind the sites," notes one visitor at Silver Lake Park. Lake activities are particularly popular from June through September when water temperatures are warmest.
Farm experiences: Several campgrounds offer unique agricultural experiences not found at standard forest sites. At Oostema Farmstead, campers interact with livestock. "Lisa gave us a tour and let our children pet/feed the cows, goat, and pig. The kids loved it!!" reports one family.
Hiking Vedder Mountain: Trails lead to ridges with cross-border views approximately 4 miles from Sumas. "On our hike, we ended up on a ridge overlooking both the US and Canada," explains a camper who stayed at Hidden Meadow Retreat. Trail access requires high-clearance vehicles in some seasons.
Farm-fresh produce: Several Sumas area campgrounds operate on working farms with seasonal harvests. "I opted to pay $3 to fill a basket from the garden and my yield included tomatoes, carrots, peppers, and fresh herbs," shares a camper at Oostema Farmstead.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the Sumas region maintain above-average bathroom facilities according to multiple reviews. At Birch Bay State Park Campground, "The bathrooms were so clean though, and it is a beautiful bay."
Kid-friendly amenities: Many camping areas feature dedicated play spaces. "Kids can ride their bikes and fish and parents don't have to worry," mentions a visitor to Lynden-Bellingham KOA. Several campgrounds offer organized activities during summer weekends.
Cell service limitations: Many camping spots near Sumas have limited connectivity. "There was no cell phone service for me, so I recommend printing directions," advises a Hidden Meadow Retreat visitor. Download maps and directions before arrival, especially for sites east of Sumas.
Seasonal availability: Campgrounds operate on different schedules, with most sites fully operational May through September. "Sites are nice, close to others but still good privacy. Everything was clean and well taken care of," notes a camper at Oostema Farmstead.
Train noise considerations: Some campsites experience railroad disruptions. At Larrabee State Park Campground, "We visited in the winter, so it was quiet. Downside was the trains barreling through all night. Could barely sleep with earplugs."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water access appropriate for different age groups. "Great Amenities... Swimming pool, mini golf, arcade games, paddle boats. Lots of trees and shade!" reports a visitor to Lynden-Bellingham KOA.
Playground access: Multiple sites feature dedicated play areas. "Recently redone sites, with new bbq/fire pits. New gravel around the site. The grounds are great for kids to play, lots of fields, and creeks to explore, and perfect for family bike riding or skate boarding," explains a Silver Lake Park camper.
Educational opportunities: Farm-based campgrounds provide unique learning experiences. "This is a working farm with beef cattle and an extensive garden," notes one family at Oostema Farmstead, making these sites particularly valuable for children learning about agriculture.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for comfortable setup. "The site was extremely unlevel front to back so much so my rear stabilizers barely touched the ground," reports an RVer at Larrabee State Park.
Pull-through availability: Larger rigs find accommodations at several local campgrounds. "Nice pull thru sites for those with larger trailers or 5th wheels, people are nice, clean quite location," notes a local camper who frequently visits Sumas RV Park and Campground.
Hookup considerations: Electrical service varies between campgrounds. "Full hookups, wifi, bathrooms, shower, laundry room, swimming pool. Has separate parking for boats, utility trailers etc," explains a long-term visitor to Birch Bay State Park, highlighting amenities important for extended stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Sumas camping areas?
Camping areas around Sumas offer diverse amenities to suit different preferences. Swift Creek Campground provides great access to northern Cascades trails with beautiful scenery. For those seeking more comfort, Chom's RV Campground offers convenient highway access and is family-owned with an on-site manager for assistance. Many area campgrounds provide water hookups, toilet facilities, and picnic areas. The Mt. Baker region also features rental cabins with modern amenities like WiFi, fireplaces, and even EV charging stations for those who want a more luxurious outdoor experience.
Where can I find camping in Sumas, Washington?
Sumas offers several camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Sumas RV Park and Campground provides excellent facilities right in town with pull-through sites for larger RVs and trailers. Just a short drive away, Hidden Meadow Retreat offers a quieter camping experience with last-minute availability even during peak season. For those willing to venture slightly further, the Mount Baker area provides additional camping opportunities with easy access to hiking trails and stunning mountain scenery.
When is the best time of year to camp in Sumas?
The best time to camp in Sumas is from late spring through early fall (May to September) when temperatures are mild and most trails are accessible. Deception Pass State Park Campground, a popular destination not far from Sumas, offers excellent camping conditions during summer with opportunities for beach activities and hiking. Some locals enjoy camping here from October through June as well, noting it's never too cold and less crowded. Fall brings beautiful foliage, while summer provides the warmest temperatures for swimming in nearby lakes. Winter camping is possible but prepare for cooler temperatures and potential snow, especially at higher elevations.
Keep Exploring
