When most people think of camping they imagine pitching a tent in the middle of a forest, by a river, or within a gorgeous mountain range.
While each of these makes for incredible adventures with picturesque views, planning your next camping trip on the beach is an experience that shouldn’t be overlooked. For those who’ve been wanting to explore all the wonders Washington has to offer, beach camping is a great way to do so.
If you don’t know where to start, keep reading to learn about eight unforgettable places you can go beach camping in Washington.
Best State Park Beach Camping
1. Grayland Beach State Park
Grayland Beach State Park is an amazing spot for beach camping in Washington for anyone looking for adventure, activities, and stunning sights.
Just south of Grayland, Washington, this park consists of 581 acres of year-round marine camping grounds. With almost 7,500 feet of ocean-front scenery, this park is a favorite among beach lovers for both day trips and overnight stays.
If you’re looking to get active during your time beach camping in Washington, you’ll be happy to know that Grayland Beach State Park has many walking/hiking trails that guide you through grassy dunes and shore pines around the Pacific.
In addition to waking up to the sounds and magnificent views of the ocean, you can also spend your time at this state park fishing, crabbing, bird watching, and much more.
If you choose Grayland Beach State Park for your next Washington Beach Camping adventure, you’re sure to have a memorable adventure.
2. Ocean City State Park
Ocean City State Park is another place you can go beach camping in Washington any time of year. It’s located right in the center of the Washington Coast. Although some describe it as “unpretentious”, this state park is far from forgettable.
This state park has 257 acres of camping areas including oceanfront beaches, dunes, and plenty of shore pines. Some fan-favorite activities at this Washington beach camping location are birdwatching, wildlife exploration, and stargazing.
For anyone looking to explore more than just the local terrain, the city of Ocean Shores is located just down the road. In Ocean Shores, you’ll find plenty of shops and restaurants, along with an 18-hole golf course.
If you choose Ocean City State Park for your beach camping in Washington experience, you’ll also be happy to know that, in most seasons, the beach is drivable. This means you won’t need to worry about overpacking and having to lug your tents, bags, picnic food, etc. through the sand.
3. Cape Disappointment State Park
Contrary to its name, Cape Disappointment State Park is guaranteed to please those looking to go beach camping in Washington.
This state park resides on over 2,000 acres of camping land on the Long Beach Peninsula. You’ll find yurts, cabins, and historic vacation homes to help make your trip unique and meet your beach camping lodging needs.
In addition to gorgeous beaches, Cape Disappointment State Park offers lighthouses on cliff edges, sea-salted air, and perfect views of the crashing waves where the Pacific Ocean meets the Columbia River.
For anyone looking to dive deeper into the park’s history, visit the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. Here you can play with interactive exhibits, and tour military bunkers, coast defense batteries, and listen to the stories of the first attempts to reach the Columbia River, by ocean.
With so much more to see and do than just a beach, planning a Washington beach camping trip to Cape Disappointment State Park is sure to leave you feeling anything but disappointed.
Best Beach Camping in Washington for Wildlife Lovers
4. Fort Flagler State Park
Fort Flagler State Park is where wildlife lovers and history buffs unite. This Washington beach camping destination is located on the northern tip of Marrowstone Island and is full of beautiful sights and unique history.
This state park houses a military museum that was built in the late 1890s and was manned during the Korean War and World Wars I and II. Fort Flagler State Park offers guided tours of historic structures, gun emplacements, and more.
During your Washington beach camping adventure, you can also spend time wandering scenic trails and participating in wildlife observation activities. Fort Flagler Beach also has world-renowned bird-watching tours and is known for its abundance of unique marine life that can be experienced by land or boat.
There are also plenty of amenities to accommodate your needs while beach camping in this Washington park. There’s an on-site cafe, restrooms, and a reservable kitchen shelter with water and power outlets. Fort Flagler State Park also has 59 standard beach camping sites for your enjoyment.
5. Dungeness Recreation Area
Dungeness Recreation Area is another place to view spectacular wildlife while beach camping in Washington. It’s found above the Strait of Juan De Fuca, just about 7 miles northwest of the city, Sequim. This park is home to 66 campsites (with half being first come first serve and the other half being reservable).
Dungeness Recreation Area offers a variety of activities and facilities to accommodate you during your stay. You can find kids’ play equipment, hiking, bird watching, and more.
Other nearby attractions include the Olympic Discovery Trail, designed for touring areas full of snow-capped peaks, oceanfront views, and dynamic rivers and lakes.
For those eager to see local wildlife, you’ll also have access to the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. It’s open to the public all year and is rich in marine life, shorebirds, and marine plant beds. Because it’s an established refuge, the Dungeness Spit continues to protect the local marine flora and fauna to provide safety and sanctuary year-round.
6. Birch Bay State Park
Birch Bay State Park is perfect for Washington beach campers looking for a quiet and somewhat secluded getaway. The park has over 600 acres of camping area that includes 8,255 feet of Birch Bay saltwater shoreline and almost 15,000 feet of freshwater shoreline from Terrell Creek.
During your time camping at Birch Bay, you can take a walk along the rocky beach and admire the North Cascade Mountains and Canadian Gulf Islands. You can also choose to go up the Terrell Marsh trail where you’ll be met with a saltwater and freshwater estuary with endless opportunities to watch unique wildlife in their natural habitat.
There are dedicated campgrounds that offer environmental education programs during the summer, so you can learn all about the local terrain and animals that it’s home to.
If you’re looking to leave the campsite and take a day trip, the town of Blane is only 9 miles north of this camp. It sits on the border of the U.S. and Canada and is known for its growing population and urbanization. It’s a great place to drive around, shop, and dine, before returning to your Washington Beach campaign adventure at Birch Bay State Park.
Best Beach Camping in Washington with Amenities
7. Mora Campground
Found in Olympic National Park, Mora Campground has 94 reservable sites that are available year-round. Although the camp is open all year, some hiking loops are closed during the winter, so plan your trip accordingly.
This Washington beach camping area is located along the western coast of Olympic National Park near the Quaillayute River. It’s surrounded by thick coastal forest which creates a peaceful and quiet beach camping experience within the trees.
The rocky beaches, waves, and views of offshore islands are just some of the defining features of Mora Campground. The campground offers a variety of different beachfront and forest hiking trails so you can explore the land on your own.
You’ll also find one of the largest stretches of wilderness coast in the United States. The wildlife has been under protection since 1988, and some of the animals here include lions, seals, whales, eagles, and otters.
Mora Campground offers accessible restrooms, animal-proof food storage, RV dump stations, and water, so you can relax during your trip and not have to worry about the other stuff. It should also be noted that peak season stays are now on a reservation system. So, make sure to book in advance so you can enjoy all that this campground has to offer.
8. Kalaloch Campground
Kalaloch Campground is another campsite found in Olympic National Park. It has 170 sites that sit on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, making for an ideal destination for anyone looking to go beach camping in Washington.
The campsites offered here can accommodate tents, RVs, and trailers, but it should be noted they don’t have hookups.
One of the benefits of this campground is the on-site amenities that can help ease some of the many needs that come with planning a camping trip. Kalaloch Campground’s amenities include food storage lockers, drinking water, toilets, and a dump station. You’ll also find that each campsite has a fire ring, firewood, a fish cleaning station, and a grill so you can cook and enjoy your favorite camping meals.
In addition to camping, you can also spend time hiking, kayaking, swimming, fishing, and exploring tide pools around the campground. There’s also plenty of unique wildlife to see like whales, porpoises, dolphins, sea otters, and seals.
Kalaloch Campground has some reservable sites and others that are first-come-first-served. So make sure you do your research to find out which site is best for you so you can plan accordingly.
What You Should Know About Beach Camping in Washington
If you’re new to beach camping in Washington (or really anywhere along the Pacific Ocean), there are a few important things to note before you begin your adventure.
For those who have beach camped around the southern portion of the U.S., you may have noticed that it stays relatively warm throughout the days and the temperature only drops a little at night. The beaches in Washington, however, can be much colder than you might think.
Make sure you’re prepared for wet, cold, and windy conditions. And when we say cold, we mean cold. The minimum temperatures in the summer will be about 45 degrees Fahrenheit (dropping to about 15 degrees in the winter), but the closer to the water you are the windier and chillier the air will be.
So, if you’re planning your next beach camping adventure in Washington, just make sure you pack some extra layers, blankets, and fire-making kits (only to be used in designated areas, of course) so you can stay safe and enjoy your time along the beautiful Pacific coast.
Wrapping Up Beach Camping in Washington
With such diverse terrain and wildlife, a Washington beach camping trip offers something for everyone to enjoy. From water sports along the Pacific Ocean to incredible hikes through lush pine forests, camping along the beaches of Washington is guaranteed to make for a unique and fulfilling experience that you’ll never forget.
Want to learn more about what you’ll need on your Washington beach camping trip? Make sure to check out our Camping page for all you need to know!