Ranch camping in Lake Washington
Fish to your heart’s content without straying far from Seattle.
- Lake Washington
Popular camping styles for Lake Washington
3 top ranch campgrounds in Lake Washington
Flying D Ranch
The Art Farm Women's Retreat
Camping Off The Grid -Barbour Farms
Ranch camping in Lake Washington guide
Overview
The second-largest natural lake in the state, Lake Washington is a beloved recreation area among Seattle-area residents and visitors, particularly in the summer months. Fishing is an incredibly popular activity on the lake, with a variety of salmon and bass, as well as resident coastal cutthroat trout. (An annual freshwater license is required.) That said, you needn’t be an angler to enjoy the lake, and there are plenty of great parks and natural areas with beaches, ideal for swimming, kayaking, or simply gazing out over the waters on your next lakeside camping trip.
Where to go
Seward Park
If you're in Seattle, sprawling Seward Park is among the best places to enjoy Lake Washington. This 300-acre expanse (120 acres of which is old-growth forest) features walking trails, picnic areas, a playground, tennis courts, seasonal beaches, and a fishing pier.
Mercer Island
Situated between Bellevue and Seattle, Mercer Island is the only island in Lake Washington. Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of spots to access the lake dotted across the island, from Clarke Beach Park in the south to spacious Luther Burbank Park in the north.
Kirkland
On the eastern banks of Lake Washington, Kirkland and its surrounding towns offer easy access to the lake to residents and visitors alike, with numerous waterfront parks available for public use. This area also offers some of the best fishing opportunities on the lake, with public piers at Juanita Beach Park, Waverly Beach Park, Houghton beach Park, Marsh Park, David E Brink Park, and Settlers Landing. Expect to find RV parks and private campgrounds in the area.
Saint Edward State Park
Spread out over 326 acres on the northeastern shores of Lake Washington, this state park offers picnic areas, playgrounds, and plenty of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails. With around 3,000 feet of shoreline, the park is a great spot for accessing the lake—fishing and kayaking are particularly popular activities here.
