Imagine spending under $40 a night for a charming cedar waterfront cabin on Camano Island, surrounded by miles of hiking trails and deep forest and steps from a sandy beach.
Well, many of us have, and we had a great time. Cama Beach State Park, which sits on 433 acres on the southwest shore of Camano Island and faces Saratoga Passage, opened last year to a standing ovation from Northwesterners eager for an affordable family vacation destination. Their 24 standard cabins, each with a living area, kitchen and bedroom, have ranged in price from $17 – $45 per night.
But the plan was always in place to raise the rates in 2009, and that time has come. On April 14, a front-row standard waterfront cabin will go from $33 a night to $68. A 2nd row waterfront cabin will now cost $50 a night, up from $19.
Will this price increase, which comes in the middle of the worst recession in generations, affect occupancy at Cama Beach? Not a chance. They are already booked full every single weekend this summer. The Park still has some midweek vacancies this summer and weekend vacancies this fall.
For reservations, call (360) 387-1550. For more information about the cabin rentals, including details, descriptions, and what to bring with you when you go, read my post from last June, New Cabins on Camano Island.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
The rates didn’t necessarily “go up”, they were actually discounted do due on-going construction.
The $19 you had listed for back row is off-peak season, which is now $23 ($34 fri-sun). It was $27 during peak-season last year for back row.
off-peak season is the best time to go anyway since the park is very hot for most of the summer and no AC (less rowdy people too). Plus you get some good entertainment if a storm comes your way.
I am trying to make a reservation for a cabin at Cama Beach but I can’t get through on the phone and no one has returned my phone call (I did leave a message as asked). I am leaving next weekend and have heard that they don’t return phone calls very quickly as they are so busy. I am wondering if anyone knows if I might have a chance for a cabin on 9/14/09 and 9/15/09? Or, do I just need to show up at the campground? Thanks for any helpful hints.
Hi Cathy, you might have a chance because your dates are mid-week and they do have cancellations sometimes, but I wouldn’t just show up unless you have a backup plan for lodging. Sorry you haven’t gotten a call back – I recall getting a call back right away in the past. Keep trying and good luck!
Actually, we go to Camano every year in Sept and usually tent camp at Camano Island State Park so we will do that if we can’t get a cabin at Cama. We just thought we’d try something different. I’ll call tomorrow and leave a different message saying we are leaving for the area soon and need to reserve soon. Maybe that will help. Thanks!
Cama Beach did call back sooner than the 5 days and they told me that the cabins were wide open after Labor Day during the middle of the week. We reserved one for 2 nights. In their instructions to us, they mention that you need to unload everything at the parking lot and transport it in their shuttle to the cabins. I didn’t see anything about that on their website and wondered if anyone knows if that is a hassle? Do they shuttle you right to your cabin or to the Drop Off that I see on their map? I think the cabins at Cama will be a fun place to try and thank you for your article on it, Laura!
I’m sorry, I made a mistake with your name–Lauren!
Great news! The shuttle isn’t that much of a hassle, and it’s really not that far from the parking lot to the cabins. Have fun – let us know how your stay goes.
Hi Lauren, We are now home from our vacation to Cama Beach (and the Olympic National Park) and had to write and tell you that we really enjoyed our stay (2 nights) in one of the Cama Beach cabins. We stayed in #17 in the back row. We had a wonderful dinner on one of the picnic tables overlooking the beach watching the sunset. Thank you for your article on the cabins! And, you were right, the shuttle was not a problem. (Although, in the busy season it seems like it could be a wait when you wanted to check out.)
hi – do you know what the current summer 2010 rates are?
Andrea,
There has been no announcement that 2010 rates will be raised over 2009 rates, which are listed here: http://www.parks.wa.gov/CamaBeach/accommodations/. I’d be surprised if they raised them at this point.
I have heard that summer 2010 is quite full already. If you are interested in reservations, you may be limited to mid-week. Contact them soon! Good luck.
I hope to visit a Cama Beach this July. I am a bit concerned about the SHUTTLE situation. We ususally cary a lot of gear when we sleep over. Is there plenty of room in the suttle for a wogon if needed? We were hoping to stay in one of the deluxe cabins, which seem to be even farther from the drop off. So, I am a bit concerend about needing to carry everything. ESPECIALLY a cooler full of BEER lol
Don, you’ll have no problem. People bring a ton of gear. It’s also a bit misleading on their website just how far away your car will be from your cabin – most of the parking available is extremely close. You’ll be able to run up to your car and get stuff if you need it.
When I was there, the “shuttle” was actually this enormous wooden box on wheels, like a giant wheelbarrow. (edit to add: a van shuttle is available during daylight hours).
My sister is staying at Cama Beach State Park now and she’ll be writing a blog post about it when she returns. I’ll text her and ask her to get a photo of the “shuttle” and we’ll post it.
Thank you very much Lauren