Rhododendron Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Rhododendron Campground sits within Rhododendron Park just over a mile from Coupeville on Whidbey Island, a county-run site with 15 wooded sites arranged in two loops. Tall conifers provide consistent overhead shade, and reviewers consistently note the generous spacing between sites. One camper described the atmosphere as "coastal woodland, damp forest-y," which tracks with the canopy and understory vegetation visible in site photos. At $15 per night, it runs cheaper than most state park alternatives in the area, and reservations are available.

Noise is worth factoring into trip planning. A dog kennel or shelter sits adjacent to the campground, which can produce barking during afternoon hours before animals are brought in for the night. More notably, military jets from a nearby installation have been reported running touch-and-go exercises, sometimes for an hour or more starting around 8 PM. Light road noise appears in the mornings as well. The campground is not isolated from its surroundings.

Amenities include drinking water, water hookups, picnic tables, and portable toilets. The site accommodates RVs up to 25 feet and is ADA accessible. Cell service is available. Pets are welcome. A security note: at least one reviewer reported a theft from an unattended site, so keeping valuables secured or with you is advisable. Campers looking for a base to explore the island's southwest end may also consider Fort Casey Historical State Park Campground a few miles down the road.

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RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsRhododendron Campground is located in Washington near Coupeville

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Coordinates

48.20563289 N
122.6521654 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 8/22/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 8/22/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 8/22/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 8/22/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 8/22/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 8/22/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


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Reviews5 Camper Reviews - Rhododendron Campground

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3.5

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5 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the spacious, private sites in a beautiful forested setting at an excellent $15/night value. However, visitors often highlighted significant noise from military aircraft and nearby facilities that can disrupt the peaceful atmosphere.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jul. 20, 2026

Thieves

Left for the evening for dinner got back and someone stole our stuff smart enough to not leave anything too valuable homeless living in area?

Site12
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Sep. 4, 2025

Rhododendron Park & Campground

Currently $15/night. Beautiful wooded area with space between most sites. A couple Port-O-Potties and garbage cans. Half occupied or less on a Wednesday night. Next to a dog kennel or shelter, so there was quite a bit of barking when we arrived late afternoon, but was quiet when they were put in for the evening/night. Military jets flew back and forth for an hour starting at 8PM--these aren't normal airplane sounds. It's frighteningly LOUD. For a solid hour. Very faint road noise in the morning. So basically, don't expect peace and quiet if you visit... but it's a nice, cheap spot for a quick overnight while traveling through.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Rhododendron Campground by Meghan B., September 4, 2025
  • Review photo of Rhododendron Campground by Meghan B., September 4, 2025
  • Review photo of Rhododendron Campground by Meghan B., September 4, 2025
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 8, 2022

Sweet privacy

I had my eye on Rhododendron Campground, but checked at the State Parks on the way here. They were all packed full. I’m so glad this is where I ended up.

  • Much cheaper ($15/site)
  • Much smaller (15 sites total)
  • Excellent site placement & sense of privacy (I can’t see anyone from where we are)

Only a few words of caution:

  • It’s close to the road and I can hear the beep beep beep if construction vehicles.
  • It feels very coastal woodland, damp forest-y. I love it, but mention it in case of allergies.
Site11
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Rhododendron Campground by allison W., July 8, 2022
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Rhododendron Campground by allison W., July 8, 2022
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jul. 24, 2021

Nice quiet 15 site campground

Beautiful tall semi old growth trees everywhere. The 15 sites are well maintained and form two loops around three portapotties. There appear to be other bathrooms but they were locked up. This place is the definition of a shady spot for pigmentally challenged white boys like me. There are a few sites the look large enough to host a good size group.

Site10. & 6
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Rhododendron Campground by Marc G., July 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Rhododendron Campground by Marc G., July 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Rhododendron Campground by Marc G., July 24, 2021
  • (9) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there free camping available at Rhododendron Campground?

No, Rhododendron Campground is not free. The camping fee is $15 per night per site. This is quite affordable compared to many state parks in the area, which tend to be more expensive and often fully booked. The reasonable price makes it an excellent value, especially considering the privacy and natural setting of the campground.

What amenities are available at Rhododendron Campground?

Rhododendron Campground offers basic amenities in a beautiful natural setting. The campground features porta-potties (at least three) and garbage cans throughout the camping area. While there appear to be permanent bathroom facilities, these may not always be open. The 15 campsites are well-maintained and arranged in two loops. The sites offer good privacy with ample space between them, and the entire campground is shaded by tall, semi-old growth trees. No hookups or shower facilities are mentioned, so come prepared for a more rustic camping experience.

Where is Rhododendron Campground located on Whidbey Island?

Rhododendron Campground is located on Whidbey Island in Washington state. The campground is situated in a wooded area that features beautiful tall trees providing excellent shade. It appears to be near a dog kennel or animal shelter. While the exact location coordinates aren't specified, it's worth noting that the campground may occasionally experience noise from nearby Navy planes doing touch-and-go exercises. Contact Island County Parks or check their official website for precise directions to this peaceful woodland retreat.

Can you bring RVs to Rhododendron Campground?

While Rhododendron Campground can accommodate some RVs, it's primarily designed for tent camping and smaller rigs. The campground's natural setting with tall trees may limit access for larger RVs. The 15 sites are arranged in loops and spaced well for privacy, but there are no hookups available. Consider the size of your RV carefully before planning your trip, and for larger rigs, you might want to contact the campground directly to confirm accessibility for your specific vehicle size.

Is there a map of Rhododendron Campground?

Official maps of Rhododendron Campground can be obtained from Island County Parks, which manages the property. The campground consists of 15 sites arranged in two loops around three porta-potties. For planning purposes, knowing that the sites are well-spaced with good privacy and surrounded by tall trees can help visualize the layout. Contact Island County Parks directly for the most current and detailed map of the campground to help with site selection and navigation.