Small town coastal comforts surrounded by nature await in Anacortes, Washington.
Anacortes is a non-stop natural playground for campers to explore beaches and forests via boating and hiking. This coastal community in Washington state offers opportunities to explore the mainland, as well as quick ferry rides to its surrounding San Juan Islands, home to gorgeous old-growth forests and the epic orca whale lookout at Lime Kiln Point State Park. Consider packing your passport and extending the journey up to Vancouver Island, British Columbia (just a short sub-90-minute ride away). Camping near Anacortes includes high-quality RV parks, pristine campgrounds, private dispersed camping, and gorgeous glamping.
Put boats, boots, and bikes on the list for this outdoor adventurer dream destination. Set west of Anacortes, Washington Park provides campers a place to enjoy beachfront views with a boat launch and picnic tables, hike marked trails in lush forests, or pedal the pavement on a 2.2-mile loop (which also works for easy walking). The campground offers RV and tent sites with water and electrical hookups or non-utility options at a cheaper rate. Its 25 sites are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so reservations are highly recommended.
South of Anacortes in Oak Harbor, Deception Pass State Park bridges the gap between Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island with a buffet of locations for campers to rest and recharge. Spend the day hiking the trails, have a beachside lunch on a picnic table, or take a drive over the 188-foot Deception Pass Bridge. To get out on the water, wade down to Bowman Bay to find an easy entry boat launch, optimal for canoeing and kayaking.
Sail over to San Juan Island for a full coastline of beaches, boat docks, hiking trails, and parks. San Juan Island National Historical Park offers a beautiful blend of history and nature. Head west to Lime Kiln State Park for epic whale-watching, or take a float east to Turn Island Marine State Park, a 35-acre island on the inner coastline of San Juan. With camping options on the coast and inland, choose from campsites, glampsites, cabin rentals, and more when visiting this west coast paradise outside Anacortes.
Late spring to late fall is the best time to visit Anacortes, though the area offers incredible camping spots year-round in the changing seasons. With lower temperatures in spring, campers can wrap up in a blanket to watch beach storms or trek through damp rainforests. In summer, stretch that blanket out on the beach to spot migrating whales. Or enjoy the lingering warm temperatures of fall just east of the Cascades. No matter what time of year adventure calls, this camping corner of the Pacific Northwest is the perfect place to answer.