COVID-19: Northwest Public Lands are Re-Opening

Shelter in Parks: Northwest Public Lands are Opening, Here's Where to Go

UPDATED: May 22, 2020 Have your hiking boots been sitting beside the front door, collecting dust? How about your fishing pole, binoculars, kite and canoe paddle? The coronavirus put spring outdoor adventure on hold for months, and most of us have been sheltering in place. Now, thanks to our collective diligence and determination to put […]

CAMP & HIKE: Moran State Park on Orcas Island

No reservations? No problem. Get our FREE GUIDE to Last-Minute Camping in the Pacific Northwest. Orcas Island is a beautiful patchwork of lush farmland, rolling hills and gorgeous coastline–a whole lot like its sister islands in the San Juan archipelago. One thing that undeniably sets it apart from the others, though, is Moran State Park–5,200 acres in […]

Plan Now, Camp Later: Reserve Early for the Best Northwest Campsites

Plan Now, Camp Later: Reserve Early for the Best Northwest Campsites

Skip the last-minute scramble before your summer camping trip by reserving your Washington state yurt or tent site early. Get more tips on Northwest camping by subscribing here – it’s free. Remember the spontaneous camping trip? You’d wake up, have a yearning for fresh mountain air, pack the gear into the trunk and just go. […]

CAMP & HIKE: Dash Point State Park

Dash Point State Park sits on Puget Sound just northeast of Browns Point, Commencement Bay and downtown Tacoma. It’s a great recreational destination on its own, and particularly popular with kite flyers and swimmers. It’s also a nice spot to launch a kayak and explore the shoreline to the north and to the south. There’s a jetty […]

Explore Saltwater State Park on Puget Sound

Saltwater State Park on Puget Sound

  Where is the closest public campground from downtown Seattle? I’d have to pull out a map to know for sure, but I’ll bet it is Saltwater State Park, a Puget Sound waterfront and forested oasis exactly half-way between the cities of Seattle and Tacoma. In fact, this park marked a symbolic turning point in […]

CAMP & HIKE: Spencer Spit State Park on Lopez Island

While it’s a bit of a toss-up which of Lopez Island’s two laid-back waterfront campgrounds nudge above the other in greatness, I’ll go with Spencer Spit State Park just for the setting. Gosh, it is beautiful there. This state park sits on the northeast corner of the island on a sand spit that encloses a picturesque lagoon. […]

CAMP & HIKE: Fort Flagler State Park

How about a hike with a history lesson? Fort Flagler was a military installation established to protect Puget Sound from invaders during World War II. Now it’s a waterfront state park.

CAMP: Bullards Beach State Park

Bring the whole family to Bullards Beach State Park! The three campground loops are set among shore pine, protecting the campsites from strong ocean winds. Rent one of the park’s 13 yurts year-round for one of the cheapest sleeps on the Oregon Coast. Bullards Beach is horse-friendly and quite popular with equestrian campers; the horse […]

Five Great Oregon Coast Camping Trips

Best Campgrounds on the Oregon Coast

Our five favorite Oregon Coast campgrounds are below, starting on the north Oregon Coast near Astoria and ending on the south Oregon Coast near Bandon. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Stringing these campgrounds together from north to south makes for a pretty perfect Oregon Coast camping road trip! That’s why we’ve included nearby hikes and places to grab some coffee or post-hike grub at each location.

Washington Camping: Ten Great Campgrounds

Summer camping at Mt. Rainier

What makes a great campground? One that boasts a special view or extraordinary setting, has spacious campsites with some privacy surrounded by nature, and where there are nearby attractions and unique experiences.