Ellie Kozlowski - Best Tent Camping: Washington: Your Car-Camping Guide to Scenic Beauty, the Sounds of Nature, and an Escape from Civilization

Best Tent Camping: Washington

Copyright 2019 by Michelle L. Kozlowski

Copyright 2005 and 2009 by Jeanne Louise Pyle

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

Published by Menasha Ridge Press

Distributed by Publishers Group West

Third edition, first printing

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file with the Library of Congress

ISBN 978-0-89732-681-0 (pbk.); ISBN 978-0-89732-682-7 (ebook); 978-1-63404-295-6 (hardcover)

Cover design by Scott McGrew

Cover photos by Ellie Kozlowski and scnhnc052008/Shutterstock (top)

Text design by Jonathan Norberg

Photos by Ellie Kozlowski, except where noted on page

Project editor: Kate Johnson

Copyeditor: Dianna Stirpe

Proofreader: Laura Franck

Indexer: Rich Carlson

Cover photo: and a campsite in the Washington Cascades (top)

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CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Without the encouragement and support I received from my community of friends, writers, yogis, outdoorspeople, and family, I would not have been able to visit so many campgrounds in so short a time. Thank you to Tim Jackson and Brett Ortler of AdventureKEEN for placing this project with me and setting me up for an incredible year of exploring Washington State. Thank you to everyone else at AdventureKEEN who touched this manuscript, including the cartographers, who turned my drawings into beautiful campground maps, and the marketing team, proofreader, fact checkers, and editors. Special shout out to my project editor Kate Johnsonthank you for helping push this project through to print.

My heart is full of gratitude for all of my camping buddies and explorers extraordinaire: Rachel Toor, Lisa Laughlin, Maya Jewell Zeller, Laura Read, Jill Leininger, Sean Koenig, and Denise Millerit was an absolute pleasure (and a heck of a good time) to do research with each of you. Thank you to Esther Whitmore for helping me modify my vehicle to fit even more supplies (including a platform bed if I needed it). Thank you to all of you who offered advice and revealed your favorite campgrounds (rather than keeping them a secret). Your recommendations proved invaluable.

I would be remiss if I didnt thank the late Jeanne Pyle for pioneering this series. I had a blast tracing her routes across the state and reevaluating the sites she deemed worthy of inclusion in this book. Her original research was helpful beyond measure.

And a giant thank-you to my partner and greatest supporter, Jonah Kozlowski, who is always ready to chuck a tent in the car and drive for hours down roads of varying conditions toward any adventure that involves a campfire (or the potential to see a bear).

Ellie Kozlowski

PREFACE

In our fast-paced technological world of screens and notifications, many of us are still drawn to the pleasures of getting out into the woods and sitting around a campfire. Is it the simplicity? Is it the smell of a marshmallow roasting? The sound of a river rolling by? Could it be the near-complete lack of cell service? Its hard to put your finger on it, but I like to think its the pace. Slowing down feels really, really good. Once I find myself in the habit of taking a break from it all, I only want to take more breaks, by which I mean I want to plan more camping trips. Ive ventured to the far corners of beautiful Washington State to bring you what Ive determined are the best campgrounds for a peaceful getaway. I tend to favor fewer frills in exchange for a more secluded feel, farther from major thoroughfares. Even so, Ive included campgrounds with luxe amenities close to cities as well. I truly adore each campground included here.

If youre a novice camper or new to Washington, you will learn a lot in these pages. And if youre an experienced outdoorsperson and find yourself stuck in the groove of visiting only your favorite three spots, I have 50 solid recommendations for you.

I hope you take every opportunity to enjoy this newly updated and expanded edition of Best Tent Camping: Washington. So far, the natural disasters have failed to hinder my best attempts to bring you the most current news from the camping scene (but always check online or call the ranger station for weather and road conditions!), and I refuse to be held personally responsible for what effect Mount St. Helens might have on the state of things. Or the big earthquake. Enjoy these spots while you can.

Happy camping,

Ellie Kozlowski

BEST CAMPGROUNDS

BEST FOR PRIVACY

BEST FOR SPACIOUSNESS

BEST FOR QUIET

BEST FOR SECURITY

BEST FOR BEAUTY

BEST FOR CLEANLINESS

View from the bluff at

BEST FOR FISHING

BEST FOR HORSE TRAILS

BEST FOR SWIMMING

BEST FOR HIKING

BEST FOR PADDLING

BEST FOR BOATING

BEST FOR WATERFALLS

BEST FOR FAMILIES

BEST FOR BIRDING

BEST FOR BICYCLING

BEST FOR WILDLIFE VIEWING

INTRODUCTION

A WORD ABOUT THIS BOOK AND WASHINGTON TENT CAMPING

From wide, sandy beaches to volatile, snowcapped volcanoes to narrow river gorges, Washington rivals its neighbor Oregon as a place of different but equally unparalleled natural beauty and diversity. As with Oregon, extremes of climate, terrain, and vegetation can be experienced in just a single days outing. The campgrounds included in this book are representative of the variety that makes Washington a beloved destination for those who seek outstanding outdoor adventures, either for a quick weekend getaway or an extended tour.

And for those who seek that adventure farther afield than most and who value an experience thats long on solitude, serenity, and space, be aware that you may have to drive farther and climb higher and plan more creatively. Although Washington ranks among the top five states in designated wilderness acreage, that acreage still constitutes only about 10% of the states total land. With more and more people flocking to the scenic natural splendors beyond city limits, this pushes the capacity for a true wilderness experience to new boundaries.