Best Camping in and near Fort Townsend State Park

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Discover the serene beauty of Fort Townsend State Park.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Fort Townsend State Park

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Fort Townsend Campground

41 sites · RVs, Tents In Fort Townsend State Park

Fort Townsend Group Campground

1 site · RV, Tent In Fort Townsend State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Fort Townsend State Park

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SHADOW MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND

38 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents25 acres · Port Angeles, WA

Whether you are looking to spend some quality time with your family or enjoy a weekend away with friends, you are going to find the perfect camping vacation at Shadow Mountain Campground! With newly added Kayak Rentals. We have a convenient General Store and Gas Station on site. We have beautiful campsites, entertaining activities, and quality staff to ensure that your Olympic National Park camping vacation is all you need to relax and unwind! Come spend a weekend, a week, or a season with our Monthly RV Park Spaces and let us show you what we have to offer! Did I mention HOT SHOWERS and LAUNDRY FACILITY!!! The views are Amazing!

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Rockin’ Z Ranch

5 sites · RVs, Tents11 acres · Redmond, WA

At the mouth of the Snoqualmie Valley you’ll find the Rockin’ Z Ranch! Camp among the trees and watch horses gallop past on this tranquil equestrian property. Enter through a separate gate into our spacious and well appointed camp-out corner; a great place to relax or use as a base camp for surrounding activities. Just a short walk away, at the end of our private road, is the trailhead to Soaring Eagle Regional Park. This 750 acre park has endless trails for biking and hiking. Head east to Fall City or beyond to the Cascades. The Rockin’ Z Ranch invites you!

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Quilcene Lantern

15 sites · RVs, Tents53 acres · Quilcene, WA

You'll find the rest and relaxation you need on our beautiful 53 acre property, your away from home while you explore the beautiful Olympic Peninsula. A mixture of farmland, forest and wetlands, complete with a beautiful old barn (turned music venue and bar), you'll be free to wander the grounds, relax on one of our Adirondack chairs, or pop in for a beer when our bar is open. Often on the weekends, we have live music in the barn. Espresso drinks and breakfast Sammies await you on Saturday and Sunday mornings. We offer dispersed tent camping in the shade of a mature alder grove, as well as 4 RV sites for small campers, trailers, and vans. We offer porta potties, hand washing stations, and potable water.

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Crescent Beach & RV

74 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents18 acres · Port Angeles, WA

Welcome to Crescent Beach & RV! We are a privately-owned and operated campground and RV park located in the heart of the Olympic Peninsula, just west of Port Angeles. With a wide range of accommodations, such as full and partial hook-up RV sites, tent sites, and rental cabins - our park is the perfect destination for those looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. In addition to stunning views and access to our 1/2 mile sandy beach, we offer a variety of amenities, including a volleyball court, horse-shoe pits, camp store, quarter-operated laundry facilities, and quarter-operated hot showers. No need to limit stays to the summer, we are open year-round for overnight stays as well as day-use. Popular activities include walking on the beach, flying kites, building sandcastles, surfing and paddleboarding, birdwatching, playing with seaweed, checking out the tide pools at Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary, and hiking Striped Peak - to name a few. Our proximity to Olympic National Park and other local attractions make us a great base for exploring the nearby areas. Whether you're in a trailer, sprinter van, tent or even your car - we have a spot for you! Come and visit Crescent Beach and RV, where the staff feel like friends and the beach feels like home.

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High Bluff

13 sites · RVs, Tents13 acres · Bellingham, WA

High Bluff Campgrounds are situated on 13 acres of pure nature. Offering 8 camp sites suitable for tenting and campers, and 3 RV sites with water and electrical hook ups. Each camp site has a firepit with cooking grill top, and a picnic table. Enjoy a complimentary bundle of firewood upon your arrival. The camp sites have community potable water, portable toilets, and power. Large Chuckanut boulders lie on the mountain side surrounded with large cedar and alder trees. Just minutes to Old Fairhaven and downtown Bellingham, but yet tranquil and private. Lake Samish is also 5 minutes away for swimming and boating. Galbraith and Squires Mountain are close by for the mountain bike community! ATTENTION: Trail is under maintenance! Also new this year is our own private hiking trail to High Bluff. This advanced hiking trail is a challenging jaunt to magnificent views of Lake and surrounding mountains.

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Wandering Joy Campground

14 sites · Tents33 acres · Port Angeles, WA

Located less than 10 minutes from Lake Crescent, directly across US-101 from Lake Sutherland, and 20 minutes west of downtown Port Angeles, Wandering Joy Campground is the perfect homebase for your Olympic National Park adventures! Wander the property trails to discover giant moss-covered boulders, aged big leaf maple, towering grand fir, and western red cedar. Heavily forested with mixed conifer species, dense alder stands, and a rich understory, you'll enjoy a vibrant habitat for wildlife, especially birds. We are committed to protecting the health and wellness of this magical forest and kindly ask that you pack out all trash, exercise extreme caution with campfires, be a respectful neighbor to fellow campers, and leave only good vibes behind! PLEASE NOTE: * We are primarily a tenting campground. Not all sites are suitable for car-camping/rooftop tents as the parking may not be level and/or large enough for your rig. Please send us a message PRIOR to booking and we’d be happy to recommend any available sites that may fit your need. *All of our sites have their own shape, size, and characteristics, no two are alike! Please refer to the site descriptions and pictures to assist you in choosing a site for your adventure. If in doubt, just send a message and we’ll help steer you in the right direction. Your experience is important to us! *We are a small, private campground. As such, our site limits are set to 2 ppl, 1 vehicle, 1 tent. You can select to add up to 2 more ppl on select sites, for an additional charge. Our sites are simply not large enough to be considered group sites. For your comfort, we recommended that you book multiple sites if you have a larger party. As always, we can help you choose the best site for your party, so don’t hesitate to reach out! * 4-wheel drive is recommended for Sites 9-11 due to the steady uphill gravel driveway loop. Especially recommended for vans and heavier vehicles.

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Cowboy Camp Camping and Horses

20 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents11 acres · Port Townsend, WA

WHAT WE OFFER SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER and SUNDAY BREAKFAST MEALS HAVE ENDED FOR THE 2024 SEASON SEE US IN 2025 We will be back in Spring of 2025 to offer our full Chuckwagon dinner served around the campfire at Cowboy Camp on Saturday night ( $30 per person) , see full menu below, and have also added Cowboy breakfast on Sunday mornings when campers are present, consisting of scrambled eggs with/or without spinach and cheese served with grilled whole wheat toast, large fluffy pancake, choice of bacon or sausage patty, glass of orange juice and bottomless cup of coffee, ($15 per person). Allowances are made for food allergies, preferences and requests. Breakfast can be ordered the night before. Why cook and wash dishes when you don't have to? Just relax and enjoy the camping experience. CAMPSITES Here on our property, you can choose from simple walk in campsites with no special amenities, to a full campsite with picnic table, fire ring, and space for tent or trailer, up to a full size camper trailer parking area. We also have the lovely Cowboy wall tent with electricity and extra plugs for charging devices, a small electric heater, larger dorm style refrigerator, Queen size bed and all the bedding, additional oversized twin bed with bedding, 2 lamps, love seat reclining sofa and side table, Bistro style table and two chairs, 2 burner hotplate with coffee and tea, plates, cups and silverware, We provide 5 gallon containers of natural snowfall derived city water at your site. The wall tent has a separate porta potty with handwashing station. A larger portapotty is located in the center of the field for easy access from all other campsites. Coming soon we are hoping to get our propane shower and shower room up and running. ACTIVITIES Other activities include local trails for hiking and biking, close proximity to Port Townsend, town beach and waterfront and a short drive to the Olympic National forest. FOOD This year, due to positive feedback, we are increasing our offering of a full course Chuckwagon dinner, two person minimum, paid for when you book your campsite. You can select from smoked pulled pork, BBQ chicken, Smoked ribs or the vegetarian selection, baked spaghetti squash stuffed with a blend of marinara, roasted zucchini, yellow squash and bell peppers, topped with parmesan cheese. Sides served with the dinner include roasted corn on the cob ( in season), potato salad, homemade Horseshoe beans, corn bread and either blackberry cobbler or pineapple upside down cake. You provide the beverage. Guests meander over to the cook tent at about 6 pm and enjoy dinner seated around tables and chairs complete with plates, cups and silverware. Dinner is served by reservation only on Saturday nights. Dinner is $30.00 per person. 24 hour advance notice required so your food is always fresh. Breakfast ( described in intro above, is $15 per person) THE PROPERTY Just what is Cowboy Camp, you might ask. The traditional definition refers to sleeping outside under the stars with only a bedroll, a fire and the night sky for companions. But if you are a fan of the western genre and lifestyle, you might also know it as a place to go to hang out with like minded folks and experience the Cowboy lifestyle. This includes all people, men and women alike, as the term "Cowboy" is largely generic and not gender oriented. A taste of that lifestyle is what we are offering here at our Cowboy Camp. HORSES It wouldn't be Cowboy Camp without horses and they are definitely present. They can be heard whinnying at mealtimes and throughout the day as they keep in touch with each other. They are generally quiet at night. Horses are not allowed in camping areas when campers are present. No farm would be complete without chickens and ours is no exception. A few hens can generally be seen wandering around the barn searching for bugs, We do not have a rooster, so guests can sleep peacefully. We are offering camping sites ranging from simple tent sites with fire ring, picnic table and soft sandy tent sites to small cabin type tents with beds and electricity. As part of your cowboy camp experience you can sign up for a horsemanship lesson involving handling and grooming horses and time spent working with the horse in the round pen. (There is no actual riding such as a trail ride offered at this time, we are working on that). You can also sign up for a roping lesson. Learn to throw a loop and catch "Little blue", our roping dummy steer head. HIKES AND BIKES We also have games of horseshoes ( with real horseshoes) and corn hole boards. You can take a hike around the property on our trail through mature Douglas fir and majestic Western cedar forest. A 1/4 mile walk down our quiet country gravel road will take you to the 80 acre Jefferson County Land trust forest with several beautiful trails meandering through mature uncut forest. These trails are suitable for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. That forest further connects to the Cappy's trail system, a network of several miles of trails that will wind around and eventually lead into Port Townsend itself if you choose to venture into town. Or you can choose to travel via mountain bike or foot approximately one mile down the road to the DNR forest property that will lead you through more gorgeous wooded and open areas to access the Larry Scott trail, a 7.3 mile out and back firm surface multi-use trail that leads either out of town through the woods or to the north directly into Port Townsend along the scenic waterfront. Our beautiful piece of property is comprised of almost 11 acres situated on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula just outside the quaint Victorian seaport town of Port Townsend. It lies approximately 4 miles from downtown with its many art galleries, restaurants, shops, boat harbor, farmer's market and the historic Rose theater. The farm itself is located within a section of old growth forest comprised of 100 year old Doug Firs, cedar trees and alder groves. There is an open pasture area in the center of the property, which is ringed completely by thick stands of forest, so it feels completely private. You have to look closely to see the neighboring two houses through the forest. The horses are excluded from camping areas during your visit, and will most likely be housed on neighboring property while guests are present. No need to worry about curious horses coming into your campsite to say hello. It is a wildlife paradise with frequent visits from local deer, bald eagles, ducks on the pond, owls nesting in the trees, and coyotes travelling through. The frog pond is alive all night with singing. If you are a light sleeper you might consider earplugs. We have created a walking trail through the forest around the land that is full of the sounds of life and birds. A pileated woodpecker makes its home in the back corner and two pairs of barred owls also inhabit the nearby Douglas firs. They can be heard at night calling out as they settle in for the evening. An important note for the walking explorer, please be aware that many areas of the farm are in their natural state. This means you might encounter prickly plants such as star thistle, nettles and tansy ragwort. We are happy to identify these for you if you are unfamiliar with them. Please be aware and dress in long pants and long sleeves while hiking. There are no poisonous snakes present in this region. We train horses here so there is a full size riding arena and training round pen. On any given day, you might see horses being trained and ridden. MORE ABOUT THE FOOD At the end of your day of adventures, you can opt to sign up ( when your site is booked) for a delicious feast at Cowboy Camp. Using old time traditional Dutch oven cooking techniques and slow smoking methods, meals are comprised of such items as slow cooked smoked pork shoulder or ribs, Dutch oven baked "Horseshoe Beans" ( a crowd favorite), fire roasted corn on the cob (in season) , homemade potato salad, green spinach salad, and of course dessert such as homemade blackberry cobbler or pineapple upside down cake. Vegetarian selections are also available upon request. ADVENTURES CLOSE BY Venturing out from the farm you can sign up to go on a whale watching excursion with Puget Sound Express out of Port Townsend. Seeing a whale is guaranteed or you get a free return trip. Also, the Olympic National Park is only a short one hour drive to the west and the view from Hurricane Ridge is not to be missed. Your Hosts: Property owners Karma and Rick come with a long extensive history of experience in the horse industry and western culture. Together they share over 100 years of experience with horses, both having ridden since young children. Karma loves sharing her knowledge of horses and horsemanship with others and has been a certified riding instructor for many years. Rick grew up with a horse and cattle background from a young age. As a young man he competed in the rodeo sports of bareback broncs, calf roping, bull riding and team roping. He then worked as a professional farrier, horse trainer and ranch employee in Texas. He learned the art of Texas BBQ cooking while living and working on Texas ranches. He loves to cook for others and enjoys sharing tales of the ranch life. You can choose to be as involved as you like during your visit. You can sit quietly in the forest and just enjoy peace and quiet if you so desire. We will not bother you. Our goal is simply to provide you with a beautiful place to relax, play, and enjoy during your visit. So come on out, set a spell, and enjoy a wonderful day, weekend, or week here at Cowboy Camp. Side note : Due to the presence of horses, chickens and various wildlife on the property, in addition to outdoor cooking activities, we do not allow outside dogs at this time. Thank you for your understanding.

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Cedar+Fern

6 sites · RVs, Tents13 acres · Quilcene, WA

This beautiful 13acre slice of heaven sits along the Little Quilcene River. Cedar+Fern hosts multiple campsites in a park-like setting amongst PNW's forest giants, Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Big Leaf Maple, etc. During your stay, explore the walking trails throughout the towering forest to find private spots along the river to take a dip. Check out all the new growth on the young fruit orchard and large food garden. Walk through the alder grove and discover both the pond as well as the new farm extension! While on the land, let the sounds of the river wash away life's stress and enjoy a bit of the slow life.

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West Beach Resort

75 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents11 acres · Eastsound, WA

West Beach Resort is located on the sunny and pristine west side of Orcas Island, Washington. We are a private destination resort specializing in providing guests with an authentic San Juan Islands getaway. We have been an Orcas Island lodging and hotel destination since 1938. Stay in our fully-equipped beachfront cabins on our world class walk-out, west-facing, sand/pebble beach and watch the sunset as you relive the day’s adventures from your private beach fire pit. We also offer ocean view and garden cabins, RV, camping, marina, boat rentals, general store, kayak and canoe rentals, and a seasonal activities kiosk and beachfront food service. Treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind Pacific Northwest experience you won’t soon forget. Whether you’re looking for a fantastic family summer vacation spot or that romantic retreat in the off-season, you simply won’t find a more stunning location for your escape to Washington's paradise that is Orcas Island's West Beach Resort.

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Rosario Camp & RV

16 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Anacortes, WA

Location: This gorgeous piece of property is located on beautiful Fidalgo Island (Anacortes, Washington), less than one minute away from Deception Pass State Park. Yes, we are within walking distance of Deception Pass State Park and we border Pass Lake. This amazing Hipcamp is located on just under 17 gorgeous acres, with amazing water and forest views. This breathtaking location is extremely unique, because we are surrounded by Deception Pass State Park. Wildlife: When it comes to wildlife, you will wake-up to the beautiful and rejuvenating melodies of a plethora of wild birds, chipmunks, squirrels, woodpeckers,, etc. During your stay, you will cross paths with deer and various other wild animals, in this very natural and pristine setting. Vegetation: While enjoying your stay at Rosario Camp & RV, you’ll also enjoy a medley of flora, such as the Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Pacific Madrone and many other native trees. In addition, you’ll be able to taste absolutely delicious in-season wild berries, view Pacific Bleeding hearts, vine maples and many more different types of vegetation, native to Northwestern Washington. Many Fun Activities: In this location, you will have so many spots to enjoy various water sport activities , which include: Pass Lake (no motors), Bowman Bay, Lake Campbell, etc. At our beautiful Hipcamp location you’re, literally, in the middle of it all. If you’d like, you may choose to walk, bike, moped or drive across the street (Rosario Road), to Deception Pass State Park, to explore various views and go for absolutely amazing hikes. You may choose to go on long mountain bike rides, with breathtaking views of Deception Pass Bridge, Bowman Bay and more. Perhaps, you’ll choose to rent a paddle board, canoe, kayak, boat or simply bring your own. There is scuba diving and scuba diving classes available, in the area. How about going on a fly fishing adventure, for stocked cutthroat, rainbow and/or brown trout (15”-29”+), at beautiful Pass Lake. If you’re interested in yachting or fishing the “big water” that is also an option, in the area of Anacortes (A-Town). There are many different tours available, at and around Deception Pass State Park, on land and/or on one of our area lakes or in the big water. We also have numerous exciting festivals, outdoor concerts, bike and boat races, for you, your family and friends to enjoy. We are really looking forward to meeting you and sharing our very special, unique and beautiful Hipcamp, with you. Fine Dining/Restaurants; Fine Dining: Anacortes has absolutely spectacular restaurants and specialty dining spots (e.g. The Majestic, Naung Mai Thai, Anthony’s, Nonna Luisa Ristorante, 5th Street Bistro, Coconut Kenny’s, Bastion Brewing Company, Bob’s Chowder Bar, The Shrimp Shack, Bamboo Bistro and many other memorable restaurants. There are 15 campsites available, at our Anacortes Hipcamp (Rosario Camp & RV) location. So, book your beautiful campsite, today.

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Valhalla Tree Farm

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Arlington, WA

When Earl and Laurine Ingebright found an ad in a local paper for sixty acres near Arlington, in 1958, they knew it would be a place for family fun, relaxation, and their own private forest. What they could not have anticipated was the sheer diversity of projects, parties, and fun that the family would pursue on the property over the coming generations. From forest stewardship and timber harvesting, to campsites and trail construction, to rock concerts and wine making. While they have since passed, these founders began something truly amazing; A tree farm that showcases the successful accomplishment of almost every objective a forest landowner could have. Timber production, wildlife, aesthetics, recreation, and forest resiliency. Valhalla embodies all these things with so little conflict as to look effortless.

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Fern Hollow

3 sites · Tents5 acres · Port Angeles, WA

Three tent sites sit near the one acre frog pond on our homesite in a quiet valley neighborhood in the hills. There are a variety of birds and a clear view of the night sky with very little light pollution. Sani-can and water available. Parking for one vehicle per site. And campfires when local fire conditions allow. Check-in anytime after 2pm Check-out before 12pm Drive times: - 15 minutes west of Port Angeles - 7 minutes from Olympic Adventure Trail on 112 and 2 minutes from mile post 7 access - 7 minutes from the beach at the mouth of the Elwha - 15 minutes away from Salt Creek and Tongue Point - 20 minutes from the Black Ball Ferry - 22 minutes away from Lake Crescent's East Beach - 29 minutes from Lake Crescent Lodge and Bovee's Meadow Beach - 50 minutes away from Hurricane Ridge - 2hrs away from the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center - 13 minutes away from Joyce General Store and Joyce laundromat

The best camping near Fort Townsend State Park guide

Overview

About

Make like the pioneers and head to Fort Townsend State Park, whose 367 acres provide plenty of shady forest and breathtaking views of Port Townsend Bay. Wander away your day hiking, biking, boating, and crabbing. Or, bring your glove and ball and play some catch next to the salty sea on the park’s ball field. But whatever you do, make sure you take a moment to step back in time along Fort Townsend’s historical interpretive trail, which shares the story of hearty settlers who populated the seaside area way back in the 1850s. You think camping is roughing it? Try being an early Pacific Coast pioneer—they didn’t have electricity, much less iPhone flashlight apps to light the way to the campground bathroom! Once you pay your respects to ye olde pioneers, cool off in the bay’s waters; scuba diving, fishing, and sailing are popular activities. And before you retire to your tent for the night, take a little time to star gaze, just like the Fort Townsend folk undoubtedly did hundreds of years ago.

When to go

The ideal time to visit Fort Townsend State Park is during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is warm and the park is in full bloom. Winter can be wet and chilly, making some trails less accessible. Plan your visit between 8:30am to 5pm to make the most of daylight hours.

Know before you go

Check the weather forecast before your visit to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Be aware of park alerts and closures by visiting the official website or contacting the park directly.
Accessibility varies across different areas of the park; inquire ahead if you require special accommodations.
Remember to pack out your trash and respect the park's natural environment.
For any inquiries or to make a reservation, connect with the park's contact facilities.