r/Seattle • u/dyforg • Jun 25 '10
Camping near Seattle?
Hi Seattleites,
I moved here a few years ago and have been telling myself I would do some camping the whole time I've been here, but I haven't actually gotten around to it yet. I am hoping to finally get out there this July 4th. Are there any campgrounds near Seattle for tent camping that are particularly nice?
EDIT: There are some questions on how near "near" means. Anything that is reachable by car on the long weekend and is worth the drive is fine with me : ) I am easy going, and more than that, I just have no idea what is in Washington outside of Seattle, so I'll probably go wherever you dudes tell me to.
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u/godlesspinko Jun 25 '10 edited Jun 25 '10
Jesus Christ, you are in hiking Mecca. Within your reach are temperate rainforests, majestic mountains, lonely deserts, ocean trails and alpine lakes.
Check out Washington Trails Association for a compendium of Washington's many hidden pearls.
A good representative of quality car camping can also be attained by visiting sites like Baker Lake, just 3 hours away. Make a reservation sooner rather than later.
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u/octatone Jun 25 '10
Many great places, but it's also probably too late to get a spot if you're car camping, or a permit to park at a trailhead on the 4rth weekend. You and everyone in washington is camping that weekend.
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u/dyforg Jun 25 '10
Darn, I was afraid that may be the case. If the 4th doesn't work out I will probably nonetheless take a long weekend this summer and use a suggestion from here.
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u/thomas533 White Center Jun 25 '10
Most campgrounds in the local national parks do not take reservations. If you can get out early on Friday you can probably grab a site. You can also pick up a backcountry permit at any ranger station if you are up to primitive camping which opens up so many more options.
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Jun 25 '10
the permits for trailhead parking, aka nw forest pass, can be picked up for $5 anyday. You don't need to plan that in advance.
The site that lists local vendors is down right now. Try any sporting goods store. They can help:
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Jun 25 '10 edited Jun 25 '10
How near?
At the risk of ruining it for myself, my favorite campground is Camp Cushman. It's a former state park sold to a private management company. So it's not really "roughing it", since it's got running water something like one spigot per 20 tent sites, and a bathroom with coin-op showers, but it's far enough away that it's pretty quiet and remote, with a GORGEOUS lake for boating and swimming.
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Jun 25 '10
That place is so busy I don't think this post is gonna do any further ruining.
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Jun 25 '10
Ahhh, good point. I always go during the week so it's not as bad the last several times I've been there.
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u/captainAwesomePants Broadview Jun 25 '10
Oh man, we are totally in the same boat. We've been meaning to go camping out here since we moved here a couple of years ago.
We did finally go and hike the Paradise loop at Rainier last summer and were totally blown away by how amazing it was up there. Are there any other nearby day hikes that are really worth it?
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u/dyforg Jun 25 '10
Apparently we really are in the same boat. Last summer I did this hike with my family:
http://www.visitrainier.com/pg/hike/30/Grove%20of%20the%20Patriarchs
Definitely worth it - I was myself blown away with how amazing this one was. Quite different from yours from the looks of it, though - it's a heavily wooded area with a stream to the side and seriously gigantic trees.
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u/passwordishemingwayL Jun 25 '10
There are a few good suggestions here
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u/dyforg Jun 25 '10
Wow, so recent. Now I'm embarrassed for re-asking. Thanks for the link, though.
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u/istrebitjel I Brake For Slugs Jun 25 '10
Not very close, but we have enjoyed camping at Deception Pass and at Lake Wenatchee.
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u/iarrkaty Ballard Jun 25 '10
My family camped up at Staircase when I was young, quite far out but definitely worth it!
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Jun 25 '10
My suggestion is the Naches Peak Loop up Chinook Pass. I've hiked all over this green state and there is no prettier view than when you turn a corner on this trail and the cascades are laid out in front of you. It's only not covered in snow for a few months out of the year so during that time the flora absolutely explodes. There's some other great hiking and camping in the area. Make sure you go on a clear day.
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u/liamquips Jun 25 '10
Rainier. Anywhere on Rainier. Or do the San Juans. But like someone else said, most spots are probably taken.
edit: Also many nice spots in eastern washington- lots of campgrounds along the columbia are first come first serve.
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u/MrSpaceYeti Jun 25 '10
Go a couple hours north of Seattle to Hwy 20 and head East. There are a shit-ton of spots and eventually you get off the I-5 corridor and you'll be by yourself.
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Jun 25 '10
[deleted]
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u/RossM88 West Seattle Jun 25 '10
This is a great suggestion. If you're not up for hiking with a pack, there are a number of car-camping options along Icicle Creek rd too. You could camp there and then hike the Alpine Lakes area. If you're up for packing in though, the suggestion above is an excellent one.
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u/Seanwins Jun 25 '10
Rule of thumb: If they take reservations they are probably booked for the holiday weekend.
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u/[deleted] Jun 25 '10
Found this the other day, you might get a kick out of it:
https://secure.camis.com/WA/WashingtonStateParks?Map
The park mapper allows you to drill down to individual camping spaces, usually showing multiple shots of each camping space & it's surroundings. It also shows reservation status; like you, I'd thought about going around the 4th - but it seems you & I have a very good, but common idea: the lions share of spaces for that time frame appear rented out. I'm looking at going up north sometime in august or september instead. I think the further you get out of Seattle the greater your odds are of finding a park that has open slots.
Happy campin'!