Spencer Spit State Park Campground, near Lopez Island, Washington, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy the beauty of the San Juan Islands. With a mix of tent and RV sites, this campground offers a great base for exploring the island's stunning landscapes and outdoor activities.

The campground is known for its easy access to the beach, making it a popular choice for swimming, kayaking, and beachcombing. Visitors have raved about the beautiful views and the well-maintained facilities, including clean bathrooms and picnic tables. One camper noted, “The beach area is about a 10-minute walk from the campground,” which is perfect for a day of sun and fun.

If you're into kayaking, this place is a dream. There are kayak rentals available right on-site, and the campground serves as a great launch point for adventures around the island. Reviewers have highlighted the privacy of the kayak sites and the peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for both relaxation and exploration.

While the campground can get busy, especially the waterfront sites, the friendly vibe and the surrounding nature make it worth the visit. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, Spencer Spit State Park Campground has plenty to offer for a memorable outdoor experience.

Spencer Spit State Park Campground

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Lopez Island. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Lopez Island. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Lopez Island

The Best Camping Near Lopez Island, Washington

Lopez island is a slow paced beauty, and this park is a great place to camp while you explore all there is to see! Spencer Spit State Park campground is a heavily forested area on a lagoon enclosed sand spit. There are a few walk-in spaces to camp on the spit itself as well. We visited the park midweek in early June and had the entire campground to ourselves. The beach area is about a 10 minute walk from the campground. The beach is littered with beautiful driftwood and shells and even clams!  There are picnic tables down on the spit, so pack a lunch and spend the day down at the beach, or come down in the evening for star watching and s'mores. The only drawback to this area were the bugs. Not much to be done about that, but perhaps a different time of year would be better? 

Great beach access. 

On the north east side of Lopez Island, Spencer Spit offers all kinds of camping options.  There is a large car camping area with RV pull-thru sites and group sites.  There are also several walk-in or boat in beach sites that face the water.  Additionally, both to the north and south end of the spit there are several mooring buoys for sailing or motor vessels.  The south end of the spit offers the one Cascadia Marine Trail site which is limited to anyone arriving by human or small boat wind power.  

The campground offers flush toilets, sinks, running water, but no showers.  However, Lopez Villiage has some of the best showers which you can use for the suggested donation of $2.  Rent a bike or kayak to explore the island, right from the state park!  Go get an ice cream or latte while you’re there.   Great options in the village.

Cost: $30 – $35 /night


Island camping in the rain shadow!

Like all of the sites in the Washington Marine Island state park system, this spot has toilets and well maintained sites. Unlike many of the sites in the system, you can access this campground by vehicle. This is definitely one of the more developed campgrounds in their system. There are NOT hookups or showers here.

The park offers a cool lagoon to watch birds and other wildlife. There are also several hiking trails in the park and it's relatively easy to launch from the beaches in the park.

Wonderful spot for island hopping in the San Juans

Spencer’s Spit is a great kayak launch spot or a base camp for exploring Lopez Island in the San Juan’s. Good campsites situated in a forest. Large sites with tables and close facilities. The actual Spit has kayak rentals and fire pits. We launched our trip from here. Nice wide beach for kayaks to enter the water. Fresh water to fill our Drom bags too.

Good launch site for kayaking in the San Juan Islands

Spencer Spit is one of the most popular campgrounds in the San Juan Islands and for good reason! There's lots of beach access and amazing views north, south, and west. The majority of the campsites are up a steep hill away from the water and the precious few sites along the water fill up fast (like 6 months in advance).

Whether you are arriving by boat and have to make the trek up to a campsite or arriving by car and have one of the beach sites, there are carts available to make the journey easier. If you are arriving by man or wind powered beachable watercraft there are also Cascade Marine Trail sites on the southern side of the spit.

There are kayak rentals available on site. The quaint village of Lopez is also a short bike or drive away. Hitchhiking is highly common and very acceptable on Lopez as well.

One of the most popular campgrounds in the San Juans

I have camped here three times and it's always a good time. You can drive here from the Lopez, IS ferry but it's a great spot to boat to. The canoe/kayak sites are beautiful and pretty private. There's beautiful views and great beach combing. 

Great Place to Kayak/Canoe To

Spencer Spit State Park is located on friendly Lopez Island just a short drive from the ferry terminal. It has many sites and is popular with locals and tourists. Most of the sites are for those arriving by car, but there are a few for cyclists, hikers, and human-powered watercraft. There is a large carpark at the entrance and you have to carry your gear in, however they provide wheelbarrows to assist you. The human-powered watercraft sites are a bit hidden. They are located on the south side of the park up the hill from the kayak rental hut. Which you can rent kayaks from if you want.

Great spot whether car camping or kayaking

It has cool place where you can swimming or kayaking from that place. They have bike parking ready. It was easy to park my bike there. It is beautiful view. 

Nice place

We stayed at the first group site entering the park with 10 other people in our party. Overall, plenty of space and parking. Covered eating area with outlet. Bathrooms were far away. Plenty of things to do and see. We biked all over the island. 

Photos of Spencer Spit State Park Campground

Real photos from real campers