Why should I camp during the off-season?

Camping during the off-season in the Pacific Northwest can be a rewarding experience for many reasons. There are fewer crowds and more wildlife encounters, getting campsite reservations is more accessible, and the atmosphere is peaceful and serene. 

Much of the Pacific Northwest is snow-covered during winter, especially in higher mountain areas like the North Cascades and Mount Rainier. However, plenty of places are weather-permitting for camping: the Washington Coast, Methow Valley, Whidbey Island, and more.

Continue reading to learn more about our six favorite winter campgrounds in Washington State.

Deception Pass State Park

Located on the border between Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island, Deception State Park is an excellent campground to visit in the off-season. This park is known for its stunning natural beauty, exciting wildlife encounters, outdoor activities, and proximity to quaint towns. 

This campground is surrounded by bodies of water, including Cranberry Lake, Pass Lake, Cornet Bay, and Puget Sound. Because of this, there are endless activities: check out nearby tide pools, search for seals and otters on the docks, hike to Goose Rock Summit, or launch your kayaks down at Bowman Bay. We also highly recommend driving up Mount Erie one night and watching the sunset from your van or a hammock. 

This campground includes all the amenities needed for a few nights of off-season camping, including restrooms, showers, picnic tables, drinking water, and more. If you want to spend time in town, the campground is close to Anacortes and Oak Harbor, where you’ll find grocery stores and restaurants.

Photo: Washington is for Adventure

Cape Disappointment State Park

Located on the coast, right along the Washington/Oregon border, lies Cape Disappointment State Park. This campground has breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the mouth of the Columbia River. Stroll to the North Head Lighthouse, enjoy an afternoon on the beach, or check out the interactive exhibits in the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. This area is also very popular for bird watching, boasting over 175 species. 

A concession store is on-site but only open daily from May to September. The campground features picnic tables, restrooms, showers, hikes, and more. If you’re looking for an established campsite on the Pacific Ocean with great amenities, Cape Disappointment won’t disappoint (pun intended).

Photo: Outdoor Project

Rasar State Park

If you’re looking for a more mountainous place to camp in winter, we highly recommend Rasar State Park. This 180-acre park is located along the Skagit River and offers almost a mile of freshwater shoreline and many activities. It offers opportunities for fishing and hiking and even features basketball and volleyball courts. 

This campground is packed with amenities: fire pits, drinking water, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, kitchen shelters, grills, and more. Book a campsite and enjoy the sounds of the thrushing river. Because this state park is located in Concrete, Washington, it’s more likely to see snow throughout the winter. Check the forecast to ensure it will be accessible during your reservation.

Photo: Outdoor Project

Wild Washington Coast Lookout

Peace Vans offers a private campsite for our renters on the Olympic Peninsula at Aliya Preserve, also known as Wild Washington Coast Lookout on Hipcamp.

Perched up in the towering evergreens above a quiet stretch of Olympic Peninsula coastline lies the Aliya Preserve, one of our favorite campgrounds in the entire Pacific Northwest. If you’re looking for a secluded stay on your trip to truly connect with nature, this is the perfect place. A half-mile trail winds through the trees and over twisted driftwood to the sand. You can stick your toes in the Pacific Ocean just a 10-minute walk from your campsite. The mist, the rays of sunshine beaming through the forest, the sound of the rolling waves, the cool ocean breeze, the sunrises, and the sunsets make this place a little more magical.

There are plenty of attractions within a “short” drive of this campground: Kalaloch Lodge, Lake Quinault, The Tree of Life, and the Hoh Rainforest. Stay a night or two at the Aliya Preserve to ensure you have time to visit all our favorite nearby spots. This area of Washington gets less snow than the more mountainous areas, making it accessible during the off-season.

Samish Island Bluff

Enjoy the beauty of Samish Island at this stunning HipCamp located an hour and a half north of Seattle. Experience this unique property's fantastic water and mountain views while lounging in your van or hanging out on the spacious deck. One single campsite is located at the front of the property, perched at the bluff edge, boasting amazing sunsets and panoramic water views of Bellingham Bay with Chuckanut in the background. Located just steps from the public beach access, you can enjoy clamming, kayaking, paddle boarding, or beach combing.

There are no restrooms at the campsite, but there is a regularly serviced porta-potty close by at the Samish Island Campground. The deck next to the parking area includes a covered picnic table and a fire pit. Friendly pets are also welcome here. If you’re looking for a peaceful, private spot to set up camp, this is an excellent option.

Photo: HipCamp

The Lakes, Manson

This HipCamp lies on the east side of the Cascade Mountains, unlike the other campgrounds mentioned above. This large apple orchard lies minutes from the popular destination of Lake Chelan. Each private site has spectacular views of the surrounding lakes and mountains. 

The property includes an outhouse and a water spigot, both great amenities when camping in your van. This pet-friendly campground is also adjacent to Four Lakes Winery, where you can enjoy a glass of local wine after a day of outdoor activities. Some nearby activities include biking, hiking, horseback riding, snow sports, and more. While in the area, we highly recommend checking out Tipsy Canyon Winery and Local Myth Pizza. Check the weather forecast and that your camping rig will make it over the pass before booking this campsite.

Photo: HipCamp

I want to go camping in the off-season, but I don’t have a camper van!

You’ve come to the right place! Peace Vans offers Vanagon and Mercedes Metris camper rentals all year long. We even have a new 3-night minimum and discounted off-season pricing. Book a van with us and head to one of our six favorite winter campgrounds in Washington!

*You can get a massive discount at the Wild Washington Coast Lookout site when you rent with Peace Vans. More info here.