Spring is in full swing in Washington, which means the trails are thawing, the sun is shining (periodically), and the flowers are blooming. As the snow in the mountains begins to melt and the days grow warmer and longer, we’re drawn to the open road to explore everything our state has to offer. Knowing where to start your Washington car camping journey can be overwhelming. There are plenty of options, from the Olympic Peninsula to the Cascades, the Sound, and the Strait. Fortunately, the Team at CampNCar has put together a list of our favorite Washington car camping spots. Continue reading below for The Ultimate Spring Washington Car Camping Road Trip.
Washington Car Camping Road Trip Stop 1: Whidbey Island
While Springs’s warm weather can be felt at sea level, there’s still plenty of snow and winter weather in the mountains. So, our latest car camping trip focuses on some of Washington’s more unique destinations in Puget Sound. Our first stop, Whidbey Island, is easy to get to but feels worlds away. From Seattle, the trek to Whidbey Island takes about one and a half hours and includes a trip on the Clinton – Mukilteo ferry. From Bellingham, the journey takes approximately one hour and forty-five minutes and includes a trip across the iconic Deception Pass Bridge.
Exploring Whidbey Island
The Whidbey Scenic Isle Way runs the length of the island and offers visitors an unforgettable drive. Whidbey is known as an artist enclave with hidden gem galleries, microbreweries, and coffee shops. As far as car camping in Washington goes, Whidbey Island has plenty of options. We love Cranberry Lake’s location in Deception Pass State Park and the views at Cliffside RV Park. If you’re looking for a fun day hike, stop at Fort Ebbey State Park and hike Ebbey’s Landing for stunning water views.
Orcas Island
Our next stop on our spring car camping road trip is Orcas Island. While the trip from northern Whidbey Island/ Deception Pass to Orcas Island can take up to one hour and forty-five minutes, it’s well worth the drive. Orcas Island is the largest of the San Juan Islands in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The horseshoe-shaped island offers visitors a blend of the outdoors and a quaint, small-town art scene. If you’re looking for the best views on the island, hike up Turtle Back Mountain. The hike along Turtle Back Mountain’s Ship Peak Loop is a moderate three-mile loop that offers views of the straight and surrounding Islands.
Car Camping on Orcas Island
A handful of private campgrounds on Orcas Island offer a mix of glamping and camping with several amenities. We like camping in Moran State Park, which has three separate campgrounds with dozens of campsites each.
San Juan Island
While the trip from Orcas Island to the island chain’s namesake, San Juan, is short in distance, it takes approximately one hour, accounting for the time it takes to arrive early and wait at the ferry terminal. San Juan Island is equal parts hippie enclave and outdoor paradise. San Juan is the most popular of the 172 islands that make up the San Juan Islands, thanks to its isolated island charm. Bop into Friday Harbor to explore the island’s shops and galleries and dine at a handful of farm-to-table eateries. If you’re in the mood for an adventure, head offshore in a kayak and keep your eyes peeled for whales. Several kayak tour operators offer single-day and multi-day adventures on the island.
Camping on San Juan Island
While the island is small, there are still a few options for car camping. There’s free camping at the San Juan Horse Farm and a campground at the San Juan County Park that are both ideal for car camping. Campsites at San Juan County Park offer views of the Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island.
All you need to start this epic Washington Car camping adventure is a bit of sunshine. With summer around the corner, campsites will only get more crowded. Stay tuned to the CampNCar blog for more guides and camping tips.