Camano Island Camping Guide & Travel Tips
Camano island is a medium island about two hours north of Seattle. It is connected to the mainland by a small bridge, making it super convenient to get to. Since it is so close, Camano Island camping is a great weekend trip from Seattle.
I recently visited Camano because it was the only camp site available in the entire state. It worked out though because Camano is super fun! I will definitely go back soon.
Some of the best things to do on Camano are explore the waterfront, hike, and zipline. The outdoor adventure and fresh air of Camano make it a great escape from Seattle for the day or weekend.
Keep reading to learn all about Camano Island camping and how to visit.
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Camping on Camano Island
In my opinion, if you are visiting Camano Island, camping is the best way to stay. Both below campgrounds offer large, semi-private sites that can be reserved ahead of time.
If you are trying to decide between the below options, go with whichever has availability for your dates. Both have the same pros and cons.
Some of the pros are large campsites, beautiful beach access, and forest trails. Some of the downsides are limited amenities and no power hookups.
Cama Beach State Park– If glamping is more your speed, Cama beach offers cute waterfront cabins. There are also standard campsites for all the tent campers out there.
Camano Island State Park– This state park campground is another great option for camping on Camano Island. This state park has a ton of campsites as well.
Remember to pack these camping essentials:
- Affordable Tent
- Lanterns
- Air Mattress
- Sleeping bag
- Wheeled Cooler
- Bug Spray
- Tent Fan with Hook
- Camping Chairs
Other Camano Accommodations
If you are not much of a camper, Camano Island ha some cute Inns that provide a cleaner and more upscale accommodation options. The below two Inn’s are my favorites on the island.
- Camano Island Inn– This 9-room, waterfront property has beautiful views of Puget sound and great decks for soaking it in. They also have a private beach, complimentary breakfast, and a small café.
- Sea Mist Waterfront Inn– This Inn is in an old mansion, with beautiful rooms and traditional design. The Sea Mist has a private beach, included breakfast, and a hot tub.
What to do on Camano Island
There are a lot of outdoor activities on Camano Island. Plan to be outside, breath fresh coastal air, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the town.
Visit the Beach
Since Camano is an island, spending time at the beach is one of the best things to do. Unlike the classic “beach” you have in mind, Camano beaches are rocky, and the water is very cold.
While you won’t find any white sand, tropical beaches in Washington, you can have fun, nonetheless.
Some good activities at Washington beaches are shell searching, fishing, flying kites, walking, and potentially swimming.
My favorite activity is walking the beach and taking in the views then setting up an area to relax. It is great to kick back in a camp chair and watch the water, people, and passing boats. Pack a picnic lunch for the perfect beach day.
Some of the best beaches on Camano Island are:
- Cama Beach State Park
- Camano Island State Park
- Tillicum Beach
- Iverson Trail Preserve
Ziplining with Canopy Tours NW
This ziplining tour on Camano Island is one of the best of its kind in Washington state. There are 6 lines, the longest of which is 660 feet. The tour is concluded with an exhilarating 47-foot descent that is sure to get your blood pumping.
In addition to a great course, the tour passes through beautiful wilderness. The large, lush forest will surround you as you zip across the lines.
To schedule a tour, for $103 per person, visit the Canopy NW website.
Hiking around the Island
The final activity I recommend while you are camping on Camano Island is hiking the local trails. There are trails of varying distance and difficulty.
Some of my favorite hikes on Camano are:
- Camano Island State Park Trail: 3.1 miles
- Camano Ridge Forest Preserve Loop: 3.8 miles
- Cranberry Lake: 2.1 miles
- Marine Loop Trail: 1.7 miles
Where to Eat on Camano Island
While Camano is not exactly a foodie destination, there are some small-town joints that serve up comforting, homemade food that you can enjoy on your trip. In addition to supporting these local small businesses, take advantage of your campfire to cook up some of my camping faves.
- Cookie Mill– This cute drive through café is in Stanwood, the last city you drive through on the way to Camano. I have yet to try their savory food, but the menu looks great.
The main reason to stop here on your way into town is their large, delicious cookies. My favorite is the lemon doodle.
- Kara’s Kitchen at Elger Bay– This family-owned restaurant is attached to a grocery store and admittedly, lacks curb appeal.
However, once you are inside, the restaurant is lined with memorabilia from the area that gives it a ton of charm.
The family that runs it is kind, welcoming, and will make you feel part of the community.
- Cama Beach Café– This cute breakfast café sits inside the Cama beach park and offers fantastic views of the water.
The seating is first come, first served, so get there early to snag a patio table. The menu features all your brunch favorites with huge portions.
- Camping Meals– If you prefer to cook at your campsite, try out some of these great camping meals that can be cooked over the fire.
When to Visit Camano
As with all western Washington destinations, Camano Island is best visited in the Summer. Seattle is known for being gray and rainy most of the year and Camano is no exception.
The high season for Camano Island is late June- early September for warmer temperature and higher chances of sun. The shoulder season in late spring or early fall is great from smaller crowds and moderate temperatures, especially if you plan to be active.
Our recent June trip was during a Washington heat wave and the 100+ degree temperatures made it difficult to be active during the day. I will likely go back in the spring next time.
Getting to Camano Island from Seattle
As mentioned above, Camano Island is a couple hours north of Seattle. If you are not from the state, fly into Everett Paine Field for the closest drive or Seattle Tacoma international for the next best option.
From Seattle, drive a car north on Interstate 5 towards Stanwood. From here, cross the short bridge to Camano. Once on Camano Island, you can drive from the northern to southern areas in approximately 30 minutes.
Summary of Camping on Camano Island
Overall, a weekend camping trip to Camano Island is a great getaway from Seattle. It is the perfect place to step away from the hustle of the city and enjoy the fresh air and small-town life.
Spend your time wandering the beaches and exploring nature. Settle into a campground for fun time around the campfire, dusk nature walks, and peaceful sleep to the sounds of nature.
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