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Best Camping Trips in Western Washington
Our corner of the Pacific Northwest is filled with excellent places to go camping, but we’ve narrowed it down to a handful of our favorites. Whether you’re an avid backpacker or a fan of family-friendly campsites where you can drive up and enjoy the view, we have some ideas to get you excited. We should note that campsites offering reservations fill up fast while others are on a first-come, first-served basis so plan accordingly.
Baker Lake
Photo by US Forest Service.
Washington’s northern Mount Baker can be seen from just about anywhere in the state! It boasts one of the most popular camping sites in Washington: Baker Lake. The western area is great for the whole family with easy trails and tons of activities like boating, fishing, picnicking, hiking, and pack and saddle trips.
Cost: $22.75 per night
Drive-Up Camping: Yes
Birch Bay State Park
Photo by Leo Phillips.
Birch Bay State Park is nestled just below the Canadian border alongside the cute town of Birch Bay, Washington. In addition to its water slide amusement park and many cute shops, the 1.5-mile waterfront Birch Bay State Park provides an incredible experience perfect for all ages. An easy setup awaits – just make sure to book in advance! They fill up quickly.
Cost (seasonal pricing): $20-37 for standard sites, $35-50 for full utility trailer sites
Drive-Up Camping: Yes
Deception Pass State Park
Photo by WA State Parks.
Don’t miss Washington’s most visited state park! With miles of beachfront and trails to enjoy, this camping experience is hard to beat. Located on the northernmost tip of Whidbey Island, the impressive Deception Pass Bridge connects to the mainland where you can quickly get to Anacortes. From there, the San Juan Islands are just a ferry ride away!
Cost: $30 per night
Drive-Up Camping: Yes
The Enchantments
Photo by Leo Phillips.
Located in the already enchanting Bavarian town of Leavenworth. The famed Aasgard Pass is a beauty to behold – and a bear to climb! But it’s just a small part of the Enchantments and there are many beautiful areas with great campsites. Have your camera ready. You’re likely to see mountain goats on the trails.
Cost: $5 per person, per day
Drive-Up Camping: Limited
Mount Rainier National Park
Photo by Leo Phillips.
In addition to the lottery system for the coveted Wonderland Trail (backpacking 93 miles around the mountain), there are well-maintained campsites and day hiking options. Check out Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, and White River to plan your Rainier adventure. Be prepared for a rugged road though. It’s not suitable for all vehicles.
Cost: $20 per single, $60 per group site
Drive-Up Camping: Yes
Silverdale & Bremerton: Strong Communities, Convenience and Charm
Surrounded by Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, Silverdale and Bremerton boast a range of businesses and entertainment as well as a strong military presence.
From Settlers to City
On a beautiful, cloudy day, the Silverdale waterfront gleams with a silver glow. On shore, a bustling city center houses the most expansive shopping experience on the Kitsap Peninsula. There are local favorites like Purpose Boutique, Lisa Stirrett Glass Art Studio, and Silverdale Antiques. And, you can find everything you need by visiting Kitsap Mall, Trader Joe’s, and Costco. Great stops for a bite to eat include popular places like Monica’s Waterfront Bakery & Cafe, Jo:a Japanese Restaurant and Yacht Club Broiler.
While it’s a strong center for economic development today, Silverdale actually started in a modest fashion. First formed in 1920 as an unincorporated port to serve the logging industry, Silverdale transitioned to a farming town. This gave way to Scandinavian immigrants who became the first permanent settlers in Silverdale.
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- Aerial view, Port of Silverdale, 1952
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- Visitors at the old dock in Silverdale on Dyes Inlet, Kitsap County
In the decades that followed, the introduction to the ‘Bremerton-to-Poulsbo Highway’ changed Silverdale into Kitsap’s busy commercial center. Over time, Silverdale began adding amenities like the popular Silverdale Waterfront Park to honor the proud Old Town port of its early days.
Bremerton’s Beginnings
Founded by the vision of Real Estate businessman, William Bremer, and platted in 1891, Bremerton houses the largest Naval Shipyard on the West Coast. The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard survived both World Wars and was even expanded during the Great Depression.
Points of Pride
Today, Bremerton is the largest city in Kitsap County. It has a population of over 41,000. By ferry, Bremerton residents reach Seattle within an hour to enjoy the larger city life across Puget Sound. While the military defined early Bremerton and still shapes it today, business development paved the way, specifically within the arts. The now-famous Admiral Theatre has housed some of the greatest names in music and entertainment. It sets the stage for an Art Deco-inspired downtown, complete with art galleries and Historic Roxy Theatre.
And, fun fact: music legend Quincy Jones grew up in Bremerton. The city dedicated an entire square downtown to honor his legacy as the most famous hometown artist. Hysterically, Quincy recalled his Bremerton youth on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, saying, “What happened was … we wanted to be baby gangsters and like, rule Bremerton.”
Bremerton also offers fabulous eateries like La Fermata, voted this year’s Best Romantic Dinner in Central Kitsap and Bremerton, and Silver City Brewery, bottling wonderful craft ales alongside gourmet pub food. Axe & Arrow Gastropub offers delicious options as well, and Chef Tabura was the winner of Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race” in 2013.
Wonderful Events and Outdoor Escapes
Silverdale and Bremerton are popular shopping and dining destinations with distinct features. Additionally, they offer a strong sense of community through many local organizations and events. Fun annual festivals include the Blackberry Festival, Armed Forces Day Parade, Wayzgoose Arts Festival, and Whaling Days.
These charming cities harbor many larger city conveniences yet they are surrounded by nature. Nestled beside the epic Olympic Mountains, Silverdale and Bremerton offer a variety of nature trails and parks to get away from it all. Here’s a starter pack of places to explore: Illahee State Park, Manchester State Park, Newberry Hill Heritage Park, Wildcat Lake County Park, and Old Mill Park. From functional to robust, Silverdale and Bremerton have blossomed into truly unique cities with offerings for all.
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- Lions Park by Leo Phillips
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- Silverdale Sunset by Leo Phillips
