Check out 5 Western Washington campgrounds without the crowds this spring

Washingtonians love to camp, and it shows, especially in summer: Across the Evergreen State, popular campsites fill up months in advance of peak camping season. 

But in Washington, the intrepid can camp in state parks year-round. Winter camping might not sound appealing, but come spring, the weather is getting warmer, evenings are getting longer, and if you embrace shoulder seasons and some soggy days and nights, you’ll be treated to relative solitude compared with summer crowds in high season.

As a bonus, there’s virtually no chance of a burn ban, a regular occurrence during the summer wildfire season. Put another log on the fire. 

Coastal camping is perfect for spring. While the mountains and foothills are covered in snow, the beaches of Puget Sound beckon. Enjoy beachcombing, bird-watching, water sports and hiking, too. Pack your tent, the 10 essentials, layers and gear, and head to one of these waterfront campgrounds, all less than 75 miles from Seattle. 

While the crowds stay home, peace, quiet and a crackling campfire await.

Sequim Bay State Park

Address: 269035 U.S. Highway 101, Sequim

Open dates: Reservations required May 15-Sept. 15; first-come, first-served otherwise. Upper loop reopens for the season May 15. 

Amenities: playground, boat launch

Right off Highway 101, Sequim Bay is in the rain shadow of the Olympics, giving you a better chance of avoiding precipitation. 

Campsites overlook a quiet inlet of Puget Sound, where you can see herons and other seabirds. A portion of the 120-mile Olympic Discovery Trail runs by the campground, making it an ideal place to bring your bicycle for a spring spin. Just a 20-minute drive away is Dungeness Spit, the longest natural sand spit in the country. Here, catch a beautiful sunset and views of the Olympics, Mount Baker, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and, across the water, our neighbors in Canada.

Fort Ebey State Park 

Address: 400 Hill Valley Drive, Coupeville 

Open dates: Reservations taken year-round.

Amenities: showers

On the west side of Whidbey Island, this campground is ideal for history buffs. Fort Ebey was built in 1942 as a World War II defensive fort, and some of the structures are still open to explore. There’s also 25 miles of hiking and biking trails and 3 miles of shoreline along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. From the Bluff Trail, soak in panoramic views of the Olympics. Want to pop back to civilization for a bit? The tiny town of Coupeville is just 12 minutes away in the car. Original 100-year-old buildings still line downtown, which is filled with plenty of options to grab some grub — if you’re already sick of camp food. You’ll have less competition grabbing a campsite here than at nearby Deception Pass. 

Note: U.S. Navy jets from nearby Naval Air Station Whidbey Island may fly over the campground at any time for several hours, making for noisy conditions. Check the flight schedule.

Bay View State Park 

Address: 10901 Bay View-Edison Road, Mount Vernon 

Open dates: Reservations taken year-round. Sites 39-77 reopen for the season May 1. 

Amenities: showers 

This quiet campground on Padilla Bay is a destination in its own right, offering solitude and stunning vistas of the San Juan Islands. It also serves as a jumping-off point to one of Western Washington’s natural wonders: the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. 

Less than a 10-minute walk away from Bay View, the reserve is a prime destination for anyone looking to learn more about this type of landscape — the estuary is home to the second largest eelgrass meadow on North America’s Pacific coast — and both avian and marine life. 

Spend the day exploring intertidal mud flats and watching for all types of local and migratory shorebirds. Get up close to marine life at the (free) Breazeale Interpretive Center before heading back to camp for the night.

Cama Beach State Park 

Address: 1880 S.W. Camano Drive, Camano Island

Open dates: Reservations taken year-round.

Amenities: cafe, boat rentals

Want to go camping … but don’t want to sleep in a tent? Try Cama Beach. 

Originally a family resort, you’ll get cozy in one of the 33 wooden cabins built in the 1930s. Start the day by grabbing a hearty brunch at the Cama Beach Cafe, just a couple of minutes away walking on the bluff above the cabins. 

After that, cast a fishing line or wander the park’s 15 miles of forested hiking trails. A 1-mile trail connects Cama Beach to nearby Camano Island State Park, where you’ll find more shoreline to explore and views of Mount Rainier, if the weather cooperates. (Camano Island State Park also has traditional campsites and five cabins.) 

End the day back at your cabin by watching the sunset over Whidbey Island to the west and the Olympics to the southwest.

Dash Point State Park 

Address: 5700 S.W. Dash Point Road, Federal Way

Open dates: Reservations taken year-round. Loop A reopens for the season on May 15.

Amenities: showers

Dash Point is a campground made for those new to camping and families with kids. It’s close to amenities like grocery stores (in case something went unpacked) and it’s a short drive from both Seattle and Tacoma (in case you decide that this camping thing just isn’t right for you). 

Once you’re at Dash Point, though, it’s doubtful you’ll want to leave. Recreation options abound, with 11 miles of hiking trails and 8 miles of bike trails. But the highlight is the more than 3,000 feet of shoreline along Puget Sound. Here, you can watch for shorebirds or stroll the beach. A combination of shallow water and low tide reveals underwater life, like starfish and crabs. Or simply grab a chair and a book, and be happy to be away from the city bustle.