Best Places for Washington State Camping

Family Vacations at Mount Rainier and the San Juan Islands

Apr 13, 2009

Mount Rainier and the San Juans are two of the best places for Washington State camping. Online reservations can be made for family vacations at these campgrounds.

Families in Washington State are spoiled because they have so many options for affordable family vacations. Keeping recreation close to home avoids all the Mickey Mouse gimmicky souvenir shops, the cost of airfare, and the boredom of sitting in airports. Washington State camping is as good as it gets, so consider finding a campsite in the San Juans or Mount Rainier.

Camping at Mount Rainier Washington:

In 2008, there were 1,736,037 visitors to Mount Rainier. People come from places like Asia and Europe, spending big bucks to fly in. Washingtonians can get to this National Park in a few hours. There are lots of fun things for adults as well as for the kids at Mount Rainier. Both Ohanapecosh and Cougar Rock campgrounds take online reservations.

Ohanapecosh campground is in the middle of an old growth forest with a roaring river in a chasm below. There are always plenty of kids for playing out imaginary pioneer or Indian scenarios. For adults, Ohanapecosh is a space for spiritual communing. And for children, it’s a big playground with pinecones and campfires for roasting marshmallows.

Cougar Rock is bigger than Ohanapecosh and has a different feel, but it's beautiful. This campground has an in-camp amphitheater where fun classes are given by kid-friendly park rangers. Sometimes "Ranger Talks" teach kids to “hug a tree” if they wander off into the woods. It's good advice because that means the child won’t go far. There is a steep, but spectacular, hike from the camp to Comet Falls. Cougar Rock is great for kids, but Ohanapecosh often fills up first.

Go to the following link, Mount Rainier Reservations online, then click on "National Recreation Reservation Service". Reservations are recommended for campsites. Another affordable vacation at the mountain is to stay in Mount Rainier Lodging at Paradise Inn or National Park Inn. It's fairly cheap to stay at either lodge and Longmire is open year round for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or hiking.

Washington Campgrounds at State Parks

Moran State Park is on a lake in the middle of Orcas Island and it has a great children’s play area. There are two easy hikes: Lake Cascade Trail and Mountain Lake Loop. Or take a drive to the top of Mount Constitution and gaze out over the ocean, the Olympics, Mt Baker, the other emerald islands, and over into Canada. This may be the best of all Washington campgrounds for kids.

Fort Flagler is on a high bluff with great views of Puget Sound. It is an old military fort from the 19th century. Camping sites are either down by the beach or up in the forest. The kids can have a blast exploring the old gun batteries and bunkers, so bring flashlights. There are guided tours and a small museum. Fort Flagler has lots of trails and kids' bikes are allowed on them.

Get some sun. Lincoln Rock is in Chelan County, where summer is guaranteed to be filled with heat and blue skies (even when the Seattle Cloud Gods decree rain). This 80 acre park is on Lake Entiat, which was created by damming the Columbia River. Lincoln Rock is a great place for swimming and waterskiing. Rafting is nearby. Rentals include campsites, yurts, or platform tents. Go dry out in the sunshine of Eastern Washington.

Washington State Parks

Online Washington State Parks reservations. This website allows a camper to pick out their exact campsite. Reservations should be made as soon as possible. Read about REI camping gear rentals. This will help keep costs down.

Camping trips are affordable family vacations. Mount Rainier, Moran State Park, Fort Flagler and Lincoln Rock Park are all in our big backyard. So, rent a tent and some sleeping bags; then pack the car with hot dogs, marshmallows, and some kids.

Some people like the idea of camping, but not the idea of sleeping on cold ground and hard rocks. Here is an alternative: Rent a cabin at Mount Rainier. One can still make s'mores or roast hot dogs around a campfire by visiting Ohanapecosh, Cougar Rock, or White River Campgrounds at meal time.

The copyright of the article Best Places for Washington State Camping in Washington State Travel is owned by Christina Gregoire. Permission to republish Best Places for Washington State Camping in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.