The best camping in Skull Island State Park, WA

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Discover the allure of Skull Island State Park's natural beauty.  

The best camping in Skull Island State Park, WA

Public campgrounds here are often sold out.
2BR Beachfront Cabin on prime west-facing beach.  Stunning sunsets and amazing wildlife 25 ft. from your cabin!

3. West Beach Resort

97%
(119)
3.6mi from Skull Island State Park · 75 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$49
 / night
Serene Camping on Lopez Island

4. Serene Camping on Lopez Island

98%
(20)
7.8mi from Skull Island State Park · 10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Lopez Island, WA
Designed with solo travelers and couples in mind. Lopez Farm Cottages and Tent Camping is a casual farm style inn on the north end of Lopez Island. Conveniently located between the ferry terminal and the village where the restaurants, markets, and coffee shops are. With only 13 campsites on the property it never feels crowded. Choose from drive in, walk in, or fully furnished canvas wall tent sites and camp buildings that houses showers with hot water and flushing toilets. Whether you're seeking a quiet getaway or an outdoor adventure, Lopez Farm Cottages and Tent Camping provides the perfect setting. Guests can explore the island's scenic trails, cruise around the island on bike, or simply unwind on the property's grounds. Bbq grills, microwave, instant hot water dispenser, and a bocce ball court are amenities offered with each campsite having their own picnic table, and chairs. At the Inn we have a pair of friendly cats, entertaining sheep and a couple dozen chickens. You'll get the sense of the farm, a taste of the slo-pez style, and a chance to connect with like minded folks or enjoy some peace and quiet to yourselves.
Pets
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from 
$59
 / night
Bob and Rose's RV Pumpkin Patch

5. Bob and Rose's RV Pumpkin Patch

100%
(97)
14mi from Skull Island State Park · 1 site · RV · Marietta Alderwood, WA
When we purchased this property it was covered with black berry bushes, we did not even know what might be underneath when we started to clear it. At first we just wanted a garden but the deer ate the blueberries so we planted pumpkins. They were a success, in fact one year we gave a pumpkin to each Beach School kindergartner. Later on we decided to set it up as with RV hook ups for our friends and that is how we got to where we are now. We love to share Lummi Island, it is a special place and we added the tag "Beach, Bikes and Hikes" lots to do on Lummi so bring your bikes, kayaks, walking shoes. Park your camping trailer or RV, water, electricity, both 110 and 30 amp service, sewer (septic hook up) are ready for you. We have a propane campfire for evening campfires but you will need to hook up your propane to it. Once you're set up, start exploring. The beach, blizzard trail, ride your bike, bring your kayak or just sit back and take in views all the way to Canada. Lummi Island does have a grocery store, near the ferry landing, two restaurants, no gas on Lummi, however the store does sell propane. There is two restaurants on Lummi Island the Beach Store Cafe, moderate prices but only open Thursday thru Sunday and the Galley usually open Wed thru Sunday. The best part of Lummi Island is the tranquility, kick back and enjoy fresh air, beach walks, outstanding sunsets and quiet nights. Pets OK, please pick up after pet and have a leash.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$75
 / night
Sunrise Gazebo

6. Sunrise Gazebo

98%
(20)
16mi from Skull Island State Park · 5 sites · Tents · Lummi Island, WA
A short two and a half minute trail walk with two sets of stairs (see photos) brings you to this little gazebo nestled high at the water’s edge. Secluded in nature, it provides a quiet escape with sweeping views of Mt. Baker, Portage Island and Bellingham Bay. It's the perfect backdrop for deep breathing, quiet reflection, and slowing down. Welcome to Lummi Island. Lummi Island is one of many islands that make up the San Juans. Home of a little under 1000 permanent residents, it is one of the easiest assessable islands as it has a regular ferry that runs daily, on the hour every hour from roughly 6am-midnight. On the Island there is a restaurant, a convenience store, farmers markets in the summer months, farm stands, artist tours and a delicious coffee cart most Thursday-Sundays. There are multiple public beaches, and this particular spot is part of the "Scenic Estates" which offers additional amenities including a swimming lake, playground, marina and boat launch all assessable within a 3 minute drive. The gazebo is a truly unique camping experience. There is a potty tent with a portable toilet. Please pack in and out all things. There is an option to rent a propane tank with a fire pit for an additional charge, but we ask no recreational fires as there is no water access at the gazebo. This property does have neighbors, but is pretty private. Please be respectful of them as well as Mother Nature. The outdoors await!
Pets
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Showers
from 
$65
 / night
Jess Cabin

7. Guemes North Homestead

100%
(272)
16mi from Skull Island State Park · 9 sites · Tents, Lodging · Anacortes, WA
The Guemes North Homestead is ten acres of gorgeous tall trees, clearings, homestead buildings, pond, trails, renewable energy gear, and more, set in the middle of the north end of Guemes Island (a 7-minute ferry from downtown Anacortes), at the end of a 1/3-mile dead-end driveway. It has nature, quiet, and privacy. It includes a 30-year-old orchard, a developed garden with fine soil, a pond with rope swing and waterslide, several solar and wind energy systems, and multiple buildings. It's about a mile in two directions from the Pacific Ocean beach, and is surrounded by wooded acreage that is criss-crossed with trails and friendly neighbors, on an island with about 700 year-round residents and an active weekend/summer population. Homestead owner Ian Woofenden is an expert in renewable energy systems. He's lived off-grid at the homestead for 40-plus years, where he raised his large family and managed several small businesses. He now consults, sells, writes, and teaches about renewable energy in the U.S. and in Central America. If your idea of a great getaway is to help out and do physical work, just ask Ian. There's always something going on at the homestead, including garden and orchard work, trail building, wood cutting, construction, sawmilling, and more. Ian built this place, and has a broad knowledge of lots of homestead and sustainability topics. He loves sharing his knowledge and experience with guest, students, and interns. Quick reminders: NOT a party spot. The homestead goes silent from 9 PM to 8 AM. Not a place for lots of car trips in and out. Bikers can ask for 25% discount code (or use bike listing). Two-night minimum. No pets. One tent per site; one car per site. Book a separate tent site for friends/family who want to camp near you. We can't accommodate day visitors; if you want guests, book a site for them, or meet them at the beach, park, or Guemes mountain.. Bring your own bedding, matches, flashlights. Questions always welcome.
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$35
 / night
Samish Island Bluff

10. Samish Island Bluff

96%
(113)
21mi from Skull Island State Park · 1 site · Tent, RV · Bow, WA
Come and experience the beauty of Samish Island at this private high bank campsite. Enjoy the amazing water and mountain views from this unique property while lounging in your van, relaxing in your tent or hanging out on the spacious decks. Convenience of a drive on island and only 20 minutes to the freeway. Single campsite is located at the front of the property perched at the bluff edge, boasting amazing sunsets, panoramic water views of Samish + Bellingham bay with Blanchard and Chuckanut in the background. Bring your toys or just enjoy the view. Located just steps from the public beach access you can enjoy clamming, kayaking, paddle boarding or just beach combing. There is also a regularly serviced Honey bucket at the park access. Bikes are a great option for exploring the island and the surrounding area including all that Edison has to offer just a few miles away. Site includes a designated parking space, two large decks with a pergola, gazebo, timber table, firepit and adirondack chairs for enjoying the view. we are best setup for tent campers w/ single vehicle, trucks w/ slide in campers, vans etc No power/water/bathroom facilities Friendly pets are welcome, please pick up after your furry friends and keep them on leash or long line *firewood/bikes/kayaks/paddle boards not provided The residence is not currently occupied and we are starting repairs and renovations on the back buildings later this year, so you may see me in/out some days as I base my construction business from the shop at the back of the property Please enjoy the private campsite area and refrain from exploring the back of the property or other buildings.
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Campfires
from 
$85
 / night
Fern Hill Acres campground

11. Fern Hill Acres campground

90%
(43)
22mi from Skull Island State Park · 13 sites · Tents, RVs · Bellingham, WA
Welcome to Fern Hill Acres! A destination designed for large groups and private events. We look forward to hosting you soon. The CAMPGROUND is located in a private and heavily forested area of the property. Currently, the grounds are available to rent individually or in its entirety. The campground includes two small rv sites that include covered 12’x20’ shelters. One 8'x16' cabin. Three small rv sites. Each site has a fire pit, picnic tables, room for additional tents, and parking as well. Surrounding the sites is a playground, covered community cooking/dining with multiple BBQs and smoker, a pond, open fields. All amenities are easily accessible by the road that loops through the campground. This listing is for the CAMPGROUND ONLY. The property has other homes available for rent including a large home (sleeps 16), a smaller home (sleeps 4), and an indoor event venue. Additional accommodations and access may be possible as well. Please message us with inquiries about other rental options.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$30
 / night
Rural Ranch Getaway

12. Rural Ranch Getaway

98%
(85)
22mi from Skull Island State Park · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Bellingham, WA
Relax and enjoy the privacy and beauty of our 10-acre secluded property. The property is a mowed, open grass field surrounded by forest. Camp sites have a view of an eagle's nest (two young eagles are in the nest right now!) and our six-hole frisbee golf course. Frisbees are provided and only campers and the residents use the course. Camp sites include a raised 12' by 12' tent pad, picnic table, space for one or two vehicles that can be parked near the forest or in the field, and use of a porta-potty (cleaned regularly and pumped out weekly). Potable water is located from a spigot in the pasture. Choose from three camp sites: Eagle Eyrie, Owl Hollow, or Hawk Nest. Sites are roomy enough for RV campers and ideal for a private Pacific Northwest getaway. Our property is in close proximity to downtown Bellingham and downtown Ferndale (only 5 miles north or south) and all the delicious restaurants, live music, and parks they provide; but is nestled into a pastoral refuge. Seattle is 1.5 hours south and Vancouver is 1 hour north. Free water and sewer dump are available at the Lummi Market, within one mile of the house. Property owners, Kim & Jeff, live onsite if you have questions or need anything; however the camp sites are tucked away such that the camping area is entirely separate. Property is accessed down a long gravel driveway on the east side of Rural Avenue, just across the street from a log cabin/house. A yellow "Rural Rodeo" sign is located below the mailboxes adjacent to our driveway. Please keep an eye out for our address #, as some of the mapping systems have you drive past our driveway. The driveway extends past a large barn. Keep right on the driveway at the "Y".
Pets
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Toilets
from 
$30
 / night
Saltgrass Garden

14. Saltgrass Garden

100%
(136)
24mi from Skull Island State Park · 1 site · Lodging · La Conner, WA
Thank you all for 2025!!! If the ground is not frozen, reach out! I may be able to book you in. Stay in our cabin at the estuary on Turners Bay where wildlife is abundant and easy to see. The Bamboo cabin is very private and has everything you need to just hang out. Saltgrass's location allows for many fun outdoor activities such as hiking at Kukutali Preserve State Park, crabbing, fishing, birding, bicycling and playing on the beach, my kids actually found a bottle with a message inside years ago. Alternatively, you could explore the many little shops in the towns of La Conner and Anacortes. There are multiple activities available, I would suggest calling ahead in order to book kayaking, rock climbing, whale watching, or a sailing charter. You could easily take a day trip to the San Juan Islands by taking a ferry ride out of Anacortes, walk on or book ahead if you are taking your car. Also, the Swinomish Casino and golf course are within two miles. While you're here you may meet our pup Turner, we also have two cats and several chickens. On the property are your hosts Jeri and Nancy, as well as our handyman Shawn, Saltgrass boasts beautiful flowers, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and yes, the Bay. We try to live harmoniously with the land. We would love to share our space with you! Due to potential freezing weather and vulnerable water pipes, we have changed our booking to making a reservation confirmation. It has been a wonderful summer for us here at Saltgrass, meeting new people and welcoming back our repeat guests. We thank you all for visiting our place and hope we meet your expectations. October 10 2025, A new addition to the bamboo cabin; we built gates that allow you to secure the deck as an outside space for your dog. Our property has hosted many events, such as weddings, family reunions, company picnics, a music festival, and life celebrations. If you are interested, please let us know. We are always evolving our land to share with others.
Pets
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Toilets
from 
$130
 / night
The Doves

15. The Doves

100%
(33)
24mi from Skull Island State Park · 2 sites · RVs · Blaine, WA
Located close to Drayton Harbor, Blaine, WA, Semiahmoo, and Birch Bay and just 25 minutes from Bellingham by Interstate 5, this private campsite offers a bit of a view of Drayton Harbor and White Rock, B.C. on a sunny day and is serene. Also, 10 minutes from Nexus International and the Canadian border. There are a lot of fun events year around between Semiahmoo, Blaine, and Birch Bay. There are a lot of opportunities for great photos...sunsets and occasional whale sightings at Birch Bay, Seals at Semiahmoo, birds at Drayton Harbor and the marina and Peace Arch Park in Blaine. Site #1 has full hookup; water septic, and electric. Site #2 with full hookups...water, septic, and electric and is shaded by some mature trees. These are big enough sites to be a fun family or group camp sites. Pets are allowed but need to be on leash or under voice control as we do have quite a bit of daytime traffic. Nights are very quiet. We have a small goat farm (pygmy goats) next door which the children enjoy seeing.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$45
 / night
Hideaway Glamping

16. Hideaway Glamping

96%
(26)
25mi from Skull Island State Park · 2 sites · Tents, Lodging · Bellingham, WA
2 acres of serenity. An opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. We are a small hobby farm. We offer two different Glamping sites... a Yurt and a tent capsite. Your private getaway is secluded from the rest of the farm life but you are welcome to visit and partake in whatever the farm offers. We have Nigerian dwarf goats, apples, pears, plums, blackberries & Iris to enjoy. Wild animals abound. There are walking/biking trails right around the corner and you are 15 minutes from downtown, the ocean and enjoying sports like kayaking, swimming, whale watching, etc. Our glamping sites are completely off grid. Enjoy simplicity in comfortable luxury! We are dog friendly, and we require all guests to clean up after their dogs. There are plastic bags provided for animal waste disposal when dogs are in the backyard and on neighborhood walks. Cleaning up after pets includes excess pet hair, especially on furniture. Please use the waterproof pet blanket provided for the sofa and bed. Guests bring the animal onto the property at their own risk. The booking guest is liable for any damages that pets cause. (We will have to charge a cleaning fee if your dog leaves behind a mess or causes damage.) We find that most people are cooperative and responsible with their pets. We love traveling with our fur babies, and would like to keep allowing pets in our listings. Thank you for being understanding and working with us to keep our rental available to pets! Rules for dogs: 1. We do NOT have a fenced yard or space. If you have a dog that will wander, we require you to keep your dog on a leash or a lead. 2. We live in a country neighborhood and being good neighbors is very important to us. Excessive barking, making noise or being a nuisance to our neighbors is not allowed. 3. Clean up after your dog in the rental, around the rental and anywhere you take your dog in the neighborhood.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$45
 / night
Evening views from behind the campsite.

18. Bayview Alpacas

100%
(65)
25mi from Skull Island State Park · 1 site · RV · Bow, WA
🗓️➡️🥳 20% off select nights! Interested in booking with Bayview Alpacas and don't see your desired dates? Please send us a message! 🦙🐐🐓🏕️ 🗓️🌞 Please check back for Upcoming 2025/26 Local Events Fun events at Christianson's Nursery: www.christiansonsnursery.com/events/ ☀️🦙🐓 We have limited availability but please reach out if you would like to inquire about specific dates. As always if you are a returning guest, please send us an email with your desired trip dates before sending your booking request for the best rates and special availability. Bayview Alpacas is located on 10 privately-gated acres across the street from Padilla Bay, a National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Reserve protects one of the largest beds of eelgrass in the contiguous United States - nearly 8,000 acres. Habitats found here support herring, smelt, salmon, flatfish, Dungeness crab, ducks, eagles, shorebirds, and peregrine falcons. Mammals found in Padilla bay include harbor seals and river otters. Located in the northern reaches of greater Puget Sound, at the saltwater edge of the large delta of the Skagit River in the Salish Sea, the reserve is eight miles long and three miles across. The Padilla Bay Reserve is one of 29 areas in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. The 11,966 acres-site is protected for long-term research, water quality monitoring, education, and coastal stewardship.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$150
 / night
The Chuckanut Rock

20. The Chuckanut Rock

98%
(124)
25mi from Skull Island State Park · 1 site · Lodging · Edison, WA
Watch the sunset into the world famous San Juan Islands. Our property is located on the scenic Chuckanut Drive. It is a 15 minute walk to Taylor United's Seafood Bar that has beer and wine. You will need boots just below the knee, or hiking shoes that will get wet. The Creek crossing is a little deeper this year. You will also be crossing a muddy area for about 20 yards, you will sink about 3 inches into the mud. The hike into the campsite takes 12 minutes. You need to contact me to check the tides, as to be able to get to the campsite. We need to hike in below a 5 foot tide. Starting October, the campsite closes for winter. Again , this campsite is Tide dependent. The first question to me should be, What is the latest we can hike in? I am not Moses, I can’t part the sea. Camp closed during winter October/ march
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$75
 / night

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The best camping in Skull Island State Park, WA guide

Overview

About

Setting off on a Skull Island State Park camping expedition is an adventure not to be missed. This small, serene isle nestled in the San Juan Islands offers a peaceful retreat for nature enthusiasts. The surrounding areas are perfect for waterside camping, providing captivating views of the rolling ocean waves, verdant forests, and vibrant sunsets. Local outdoor activities are abundant, with kayaking, sailing, and wildlife watching taking center stage. Take a short trip to nearby Orcas Island to hike up Mount Constitution, boasting awe-inspiring panoramic views. If you're up for a boating adventure, explore the enchanting neighboring islands, each with its unique charm. A visit to Lime Kiln Point State Park gives you a chance to spot majestic orcas in their natural habitat. Camping near Skull Island State Park lets you immerse in the tranquil rhythm of island life while embracing the call of the wild.

When to go

The best time to visit Skull Island State Park is during the spring and summer months when the weather is mild and the natural flora is in full bloom. Winter can be less ideal due to cooler temperatures and reduced accessibility.

Know before you go

  • A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to the park for day use.
  • Check the weather forecast before your visit to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
  • Be mindful of park hours and plan your trip accordingly.
  • Remember to leave no trace and dispose of trash properly to preserve the park's natural beauty.
  • For those interested in wildlife, bring binoculars to enhance your viewing experience.
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