puget sound marina + camping

[potter water]

Just finished 9 glorious days on Lake Powell. Want to meet the grandkids on Puget Sound next. Any suggestions for a good place they could camp, while we stayed on the boat in late July?

 

[20dauntless]

The state parks will probably be your best bet. James Island, Jones Island, Sucia Island, Spencer Spit, maybe Stuart Island, and I'm sure many others, offer public docks or mooring buoys and campsites. Pick up a copy of the Waggoners guide for complete info on moorage and camping all over the PNW.

 

[Pat Anderson]

Exactly right. Another cool spot with camp sites: Blind Bay State Park by Shaw Island. You need a dinghy to get to shore, no dock.

But you need to get a copy of the current Waggoner Guide, it is the "bible" for Puget Sound (and beyond).

The state parks will probably be your best bet. James Island, Jones Island, Sucia Island, Spencer Spit, maybe Stuart Island, and I'm sure many others, offer public docks or mooring buoys and campsites. Pick up a copy of the Waggoners guide for complete info on moorage and camping all over the PNW.

 

[starcrafttom]

depends on your idea of camping. most of the one listed above are boat in only and your kids get to sleep on the beach. If on the other hand you are looking for them to drive in and camp in a tent, trailer, RV or something else with wheels then its a far shorter list.

The only one in the san juans that comes to mind that your guest can drive into is Spencer spit but Iam sure there are others. In the sound its self Iam sure there are some but I dont know what they are. You may want to cross check with a wagners in one hand and a state park guide in the other. fort flagler state park has a nice anchorage in front of the camp grounds but you may have to dinghy in to the beach. There is a pier but not sure if you can tie up over night or not.[/url]

 

[starcrafttom]

Pat i was just reading the state link on the blind bay island park. Did you know your not welcomed there?

All of the onshore campsites are for the exclusive use of boaters arriving by human- or wind-powered watercraft.

Visitors arriving by vessels with motors are not allowed to camp at this park,

 

[localboy]

Pat i was just reading the state link on the blind bay island park. Did you know your not welcomed there?

All of the onshore campsites are for the exclusive use of boaters arriving by human- or wind-powered watercraft.

Visitors arriving by vessels with motors are not allowed to camp at this park,

WTH?! Says who? So a sailboat that arrives under motor is allowed? Or not allowed? If someone asks me I rowed my C-Dory there.

Oh, I'm checking on THIS. :evil:

 

[DaveS]

The state parks will probably be your best bet. James Island, Jones Island, Sucia Island, Spencer Spit, maybe Stuart Island, and I'm sure many others, offer public docks or mooring buoys and campsites. Pick up a copy of the Waggoners guide for complete info on moorage and camping all over the PNW.

Susan and Harry,
All of the choices that 20 dauntless listed above are fantastic, however with the exception of Spencer Spit, it would be necessary for you to shuttle all of the "camping" members of your family to those locations in your boat with their camping gear. Spencer Spit on Lopez Island would work well as would Odlin County Park on Lopez Island. The "camping" members would then travel via auto on the Wa. State Ferry from Anacortes to Lopez Island and then establish a campsite near your location. When we had our 16' C-Dory and didn't have room for all three of us to sleep on board, Carol would drive the car (via the ferry) to Lopez Island and I'd cruise the boat to the Lopez Island Marina and secure a slip there. Carol and Jessica would drive to the marina to pick me up so I could camp with them and having the marina slip provided us with access to their hot showers, jacuzzi and swimming pool. It also provided us with our car to explore the island. We would also then take day trips in the boat to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island and to whale watching cruises and the other islands. (Obviously camping reservations would be recommended and as already pointed out Spencer Spit is a state park. Odlin is a San Juan County Park so you'll have to obtain reservations through San Juan County (Their phone number many years ago was 1-360-378-1842).

(Carol also would bring our bicycles over on the car, so between swimming, boating, bicycling, cruising and whale watching as well as the obvious joy of family camping we would enjoy multiple delightful days together.)

Hope this is a help in your planning strategies.

 

[lloyds]

That little island out in front of Roche Harbor is human powered only also. One that you could drive to that no one mentioned is the county park on the west side of san juan island. Pretty nice place with great views. Take the ferry out to Friday Harbor and drive across the island. I think that would be lots of fun. A lot to see out there.

 

[localboy]

Pat i was just reading the state link on the blind bay island park. Did you know your not welcomed there?

All of the onshore campsites are for the exclusive use of boaters arriving by human- or wind-powered watercraft.

Visitors arriving by vessels with motors are not allowed to camp at this park,

WTH?! Says who? So a sailboat that arrives under motor is allowed? Or not allowed? If someone asks me I rowed my C-Dory there.

Oh, I'm checking on THIS. :evil:

So apparenlty this PUBLIC land is controlled by a PRIVATE "association". http://www.wwta.org/member/

And this "association" discriminates & denies equal & fair access/use to taxpayers w/ motorized boats. I can only assume that those of us who use motors are contributing to some fantasy global catastrophe of epic proportion. :roll:
I swear I don't understand this place sometimes. So someone help me understand the legality of this.

 

[lloyds]

This organization has these quaint little spots the length of puget sound. They usually shirttail on with regional parks organizations and groups like that. Vashon Island has a really neat one that no one but the kayakers can see. I try to just live and let live. I have plenty of other places to go where they can't easily go. I guess I have mixed emotions about it but they were active and carved out their niche.

 

[rogerbum]

Anchor a 100' out with the C-Dory. Row the dinghy in. Problem solved no?

 

[lloyds]

Technically you are correct, but I can imagine the wrong enforcement officer, on the wrong day, arguing it with you. But most of these spots have a nice beach and the natural inclination would be to run up on it without the hassle of anchoring out.

 

[centerisland]

I guess I have mixed emotions about it but they were active and carved out their niche.

Much like the motorized access trails - snowmobiles and dirt bikes don't mix well with snoeshoes and hiking. I don't have a problem with a few non-motorized beaches.

 

[Alyssa Jean]

Harry,

PM me with your mailing address and I will send you a 2010 copy of Waggoners. I get them off of my charter boats as we replace them every year. Even though very little really changes.

 

[Spike]

Try Blake island state park they can camp right on the beach You have the Seattle skyline in view. Nice park lots of deer. If you get there mid week you should be able to get a place to tie up. Does get crowded on the weekends

 

[localboy]

My only issue is this: I "CAN'T" go there, yet they (human & "wind" powered craft) can go ANYWHERE & EVERYWHERE. I don't see spots for "only boats w/ engines allowed". You get my point.

Like I said: I'm from another state. This place is bassackwards sometimes and all this special protections don't compute w/ me. The interesting thing about here is how a certain group of citizens screams about "fairness & equality", yet they (in general) are the very ones making up/demanding more rules, exclusions, special protected classes etc. It's like bicycle riders in Seattle. They want "equal" access to roads (that they don't pay for by the way) and when they get it, it's never enough. They have to have paths, lanes, bike boxes....and no one else better get in their way. Where does it end?

"Signs, signs...everywhere a sign...do this, don't do that...can't you read the sign?" I need to get out on my boat. Maybe Blind Bay on my next three day weekend. :twisted:

 

[starcrafttom]

"Signs, signs...everywhere a sign...do this, don't do that...can't you read the sign?" I need to get out on my boat. Maybe Blind Bay on my next three day weekend

this song was written by a guy from my home town in cal. he moved out of the state too.

 

[localboy]

^^One of my favorite lyrics, Tom.

This is still my favorite though;
"You call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye..."

Eagles "The Last Resort"

 

[jstates]

Drive in to camp at Jarrell cove in South Sound
Boat in to Jarrell Cove Marine Park -

Hope Island has some camping and is close to land access also has a few buoys -
Campers could park at bridge to Hartstene Island and its a short distance to Hope from there if you need to ferry people.

I like Succia the best if you are willing to ferry family members from Orcas Island ferry terminal - Succia has enough trails, harbors, bays, beaches to keep a family busy for a week. It is the most used Marine park some years.

I remember meeting a captain at Blake Island that ferries groups out there for a fee. He was based in Bainbridge Island and may be more affordable than the tour that is offered to the Island.
Have fun. Jim

 

[hardee]

Fort Flagler State Park,
Fort Warden State Park
Sequim Bay State Park For some pictures take this link to my SBSP album:
http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _album.php

All have drive in access for campers, and boat in access (Yes Mark, these will work if you power to the dock or mooring float too). These are all up on the north east quarter of the Olympic peninsula. There is another one about 2/3 of the way south on the Hood Canal. Nice park but I can't remember the name right now.

Not in the San Juan's exactly but close and better drive in access.

I think there is drive in access to a State park doch at Pleasant Harbor too, but that would need to be checked for sure.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon