SKAGIT (MOUNT VERNON)

Marble Creek Campground (Skagit Co.'s BEST RUSTIC CG)

The milky white waters of the Cascade River provide the backdrop for Marble Creek Campground's secluded, rustic camping.
For more photos of Marble Creek CG click HERE

Rasar State Park (Skagit Co.'s BEST EQUIPPED/BEST CG FOR RVs, BEST BIKE-IN CG, and includes BEST GROUP CG)

The trees at Rasal State Park reflect a long history of logging and transformation of the land by the flooding river
For more photos of Rasar S.P. click HERE

Bowman Bay Campground at Deception Pass State Park (Skagit Co.'s MOST APPEALING CG TO THE SENSES)

Bowman Bay represents the quieter, gentler side of Deception Pass State Park
For more photos of Bowman Bay CG click HERE

• Washington Park (Skagit Co.'s MOST UNIQUELY WASHINGTON CG, and BEST CG FOR ENTIRE FAMILIES)

The marine views from Wasington Park on Fidalgo Head are among the best in Washington
For more photos of Washington Park click HERE

• Lily/Lizard Lakes (Skagit Co.'s BEST HIKE-IN CAMPSITES)
  Blanchard Mountain competes with Chuckanut Mountain for the best views in the area, with small campworthy lakes hanging back from the overlooks. This is the first hike-in camping trip for many youngsters and adults alike, with alpine lakes and dramatic views a reward at the end of the trail.
  Overview: These easy to reach campsites are located on Blanchard Mountain about 15 miles north of Mount Vernon, operated by the DNR at 1900' elevation, open year round. GPS 48.5715, -122.4186.
  Facilities: These include rock fire rings, some with grills, picnic tables, vault toilets, and benches. You must bring your own drinking water and pack out refuse.
  Recreation: In addition to hiking, another trail leads to the Oyster Dome, a rocky promontory on the western slope of Blanchard Mountain, with remarkable views of Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands.
  Campsites (3 sites at Lizard Lake, 6 sites at Lily Lake, non-reservable, FREE with Discover Pass): Campsites are small and scattered, but also wooded and private.
  Getting There:  From Mount Vernon, take I-5 north for 15 miles to Exit #240 (Alger). Turn left over the freeway for 0.5 miles, and turn left onto Barrel Springs Road. Drive one additional mile and turn right onto the road marked Blanchard Mountain Trails. Drive past the large parking area on the right and continue for one more mile, keeping to the right. You will pass a trailhead on the left, but continue to the large open area and park there for best trail access.
  

The Lily/Lizard Lake Trail climbs Blanchard Mountain with remarkable views of Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands
For more photos of Lily/Lizard Lakes Campsites click HERE

• Saddlebag Island Marine State Park (Skagit Co.'s BEST BOAT-IN CG)
  This, the easternmost of the San Juan Islands, gets its name from the two rocky knobs separated by a lowland "saddle" that gives it its distinctive shape. It sits perched between the National Estuarine Sanctuary on Padilla Bay and Anacortes, with wildlife viewing and pristine camping just a short paddle away.
  Overview: This island campground is located 4 miles northeast of Anacortes between Guemes Island and Padilla Bay on 24 acres with 6,730' of shoreline, open year round. GPS 48.53585, -122.5564.
  Facilities: These are limited to one composting toilet with no drinking water or other amenities. There are no mooring buoys or docks at the park.
  Recreation: These include fishing, crabbing, and water skiing. Wildlife viewing includes bald eagles, peregrine falcons and harbor seals. The 0.9 miles of hiking trails wind through pristine forests, pebbly beaches, and wildflower-covered meadows. Nearby Dot Island offers shallow waters that are perfect for kayaking.
  Campsites (5 primitive sites, plus one CMT site, non-reservable, FREE with Discover Pass): Campsites  lie in two areas. The south beach section has 5 sites open to all boaters, with a steep step incline to the camping area. Note that the rocky cliffs around both rock outcroppings preclude camping outside this central saddle. The CMT site, as this is part of the Cascade Marine Trail, is located on the forested north side of the island and reserved for kayakers only.
  Trip Notes: This island was originally named among the "Porpoise Rocks," along with Huckleberry and Dot Islands, and speaks to the attractiveness of this area for kayakers, water-skiers, scuba divers, and those seeking a bit of whimsy away from the hustle of the surrounding cities and tourist communities.
  Getting There:  Boating access is best from the Guemes Island Ferry Dock (southeast corner of the island) with free overnight parking. Note that there is a car ferry to Guemes Island. Day visitors could leave from the downtown parks in Anacortes, but cannot leave cars overnight.
  

Saddle Bag Island Marine State Park is among Puget Sound's most  charming boat-in locations
For more photos of Saddle Bag Island S.P. Boat-In click HERE

OTHER CAMPGROUNDS: There are no FREE drive-in CGs in Skagit Co. that we can recommend at this time.