# Tell me about camping in Washington State **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 7, 2011, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387 "2011-12-07T17:27:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/1 "2011-12-07T17:27:09Z")
Nashiitashii, a friend and myself are planning a five day camping trip to Washington state in April. Currently I’m considering Deception park, Saltwater park, and a few others but there seems to be so much to choose from. Ideally we’d like a park that really features the old growth forests, and beautiful coastline of the Pacific northwest. If it is reasonably close to a city for a day trip that would be great as well. We are interested in active outdoor activities, camping, hiking, fishing, kayaks etc. Everyone is young and in excellent health. No kids. A park that would allow us to get away from other campers would be nice as well. Relaxation is needed. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/2 "2011-12-07T17:49:20Z")
Personally, I hated camping when I lived there because it was always raining. Bleh. That said, some areas of the Sound are drier than others; google sun-belt or similar in your searchings. It is a beautiful place, and if you can catch the right weather, it will be very nice! Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Implicit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Implicit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Implicit)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/3 "2011-12-07T18:04:28Z")
Deception Pass is a great spot. It’s only a couple of hours from Seattle so a day trip is possible, although I assume you’ll be flying into Seattle so you could explore the city at the beginning or end of your trip instead. For a day trip you could take a ferry to the San Juan Islands (Friday Harbour) or Victoria. April will be cold and wet, wear warm layers. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/4 "2011-12-07T18:13:56Z")
> [@Implicit](#): > > Deception Pass is a great spot. It’s only a couple of hours from Seattle so a day trip is possible, although I assume you’ll be flying into Seattle so you could explore the city at the beginning or end of your trip instead. For a day trip you could take a ferry to the San Juan Islands (Friday Harbour) or Victoria. April will be cold and wet, wear warm layers. How much difference would it make if we went in early may instead? Past mid may, the tourist season starts up and fees are raised, and parks get busy. My cursory research seems to show that temps average 40’s-60’s both months and rain is about 15/ 30 days a month. If we chose deception i’d consider flying into bellingham instead. Less driving after such a long flight. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/5 "2011-12-07T18:14:49Z")
Of those two, you’d probably like Deception Pass more then Saltwater; I haven’t been to that park exactly but Saltwater is nice but not exceptional. I’d also consider the northern Olympic peninsula. Port Angeles is nice, or over towards Sequim. Plenty of good kayaking out there. You can stay in one of the lower-elevation Olympic campgrounds. Or if you want to be by the coast, try Salt Creek County Park. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/6 "2011-12-07T18:18:21Z")
It might be raining, but you just go ahead and do whatever you have planned anyway. Or it might not be raining. It is called Rain Forest for a reason. In either case it will be beautiful in April. Second the suggestion to wear layered clothing. You can get several kinds of weather all in one day in a NW April. ---
**Author:** ![Implicit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Implicit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Implicit)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/7 "2011-12-07T18:33:38Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > How much difference would it make if we went in early may instead? Past mid may, the tourist season starts up and fees are raised, and parks get busy. My cursory research seems to show that temps average 40’s-60’s both months and rain is about 15/ 30 days a month. If we chose deception i’d consider flying into bellingham instead. Less driving after such a long flight. It might be a few ticks warmer, but you’ll have to deal with cool temperatures and rain/fog all spring, so there isn’t much difference between April and May. Cross your fingers and hope you get lucky with the weather. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/8 "2011-12-07T18:37:25Z")
> [@Implicit](#): > > It might be a few ticks warmer, but you’ll have to deal with cool temperatures and rain/fog all spring, so there isn’t much difference between April and May. Cross your fingers and hope you get lucky with the weather. Can do 🙂 On a related note, any suggestions for must do activities or places to eat are always welcome. ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/9 "2011-12-07T18:45:35Z")
If you google “Rain Shadow Washington”, you should get a few places that are drier than the average Washington campground. Especially in in May. The local rule is “It isn’t summer 'til after the 4th of July” Also, if you are asking around about Sequim, it’s pronounced Skwim. That way the locals won’t laugh at you. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/10 "2011-12-07T18:50:09Z")
Second Deception Pass. I was stationed at Whidbey Island for three years and loved that area. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/11 "2011-12-07T18:54:57Z")
[Commercial showing a typical May camping trip](http://www.youtube.com/user/NorthWestTypes?feature=watch#p/u/28/bpfcO4Yfw44). I’ve been on that trip. So has everyone who’s camped in the northwest. Like **Dallas Jones** said, it’s a rain forest. Plus it probably won’t be cold, just wet. You may want to look at the San Juans or farther out onto the Peninsula. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/12 "2011-12-07T18:54:57Z")
Looks like Deception pass might be contender. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/13 "2011-12-08T13:05:52Z")
bump. Anyone else? ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/14 "2011-12-08T15:38:32Z")
Deception Pass is a good choice, right at the top of my list of Wa St Parks. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/15 "2011-12-09T15:59:07Z")
Wrong area for you this time around, but if you ever get out to eastern WA, check out the [Palouse Falls](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium/palouse-falls-in-the-winter-farol-tomson.jpg&imgrefurl=http://fineartamerica.com/featured/palouse-falls-in-the-winter-farol-tomson.html&h=480&w=600&sz=57&tbnid=ySdkpfYJvo3kBM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=119&zoom=1&docid=Ikh4NAPNGA1AvM&sa=X&ei=ITDiTpvUJrTSiAKn5u2NDw&ved=0CFQQ9QEwBQ&dur=756) area. Especially if you kayak at all. ---
**Author:** ![Eeyore\_sgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@Eeyore\_sgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eeyore_sgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/16 "2011-12-11T00:45:43Z")
Deception Pass is gorgeous and if you’re interested in the rain forest, then I’d suggest Lake Quinault and/or Kalaloch. Lake Quinault has lots of trails, campgrounds and is absolutely stunning rain or shine. Kalaloch is right on the coast, south of Port Angeles and Sequim. Tons of beautiful beaches, rain forests and not heavily visited until after Memorial Day. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/17 "2011-12-11T00:50:53Z")
> [@Eeyore\_sgirl](#): > > Deception Pass is gorgeous and if you’re interested in the rain forest, then I’d suggest Lake Quinault and/or Kalaloch. Lake Quinault has lots of trails, campgrounds and is absolutely stunning rain or shine. Kalaloch is right on the coast, south of Port Angeles and Sequim. Tons of beautiful beaches, rain forests and not heavily visited until after Memorial Day. Excellent! Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/18 "2011-12-11T02:39:10Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Wrong area for you this time around, but if you ever get out to eastern WA, check out the [Palouse Falls](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium/palouse-falls-in-the-winter-farol-tomson.jpg&imgrefurl=http://fineartamerica.com/featured/palouse-falls-in-the-winter-farol-tomson.html&h=480&w=600&sz=57&tbnid=ySdkpfYJvo3kBM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=119&zoom=1&docid=Ikh4NAPNGA1AvM&sa=X&ei=ITDiTpvUJrTSiAKn5u2NDw&ved=0CFQQ9QEwBQ&dur=756) area. Especially if you kayak at all. Although the camping at PF is horrible. Walk-in sites only, crowded, zero privacy. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/19 "2011-12-11T03:04:27Z")
I’ll chime in with my usual recommendation: the[Lake Ozette loop trail](http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/lake-ozette). One of the coolest hikes I’ve ever done. ---
**Author:** ![Eeyore\_sgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@Eeyore\_sgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eeyore_sgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-camping-in-washington-state/605387/20 "2011-12-12T06:21:06Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > Excellent! Thanks! You’re welcome! That’s my backyard and I love living here. Let me know if you need additional information about must see spots or the ones that can safely be missed. It’s a beautiful part of the world and I love showing it off. If you need more, just let me know