If you’ve ever been discouraged by the lack of campsite availability on Recreation.gov, there’s good news: Washington has plenty of first-come, first-served campgrounds scattered throughout the state. Here are five that have never let me down.
Deer Park Campground
Just one ridge east of Hurricane Ridge is one of Washington’s more unusual campgrounds: Deer Park. This dry campground has only 14 sites, but you’ll have plenty of neighbors in the local wildlife. My first time there, I saw a dozen or more deer lounging in a nearby field, baby grouse hiding with their mother in the alpine thicket and a short-tailed weasel running by with a freshly caught rabbit. There’s just one catch: The road leading to the campground isn’t suitable for RVs or trailers — or the faint of heart.
Ozette Campground
In the far northwestern corner of the state, Ozette Campground is one of Washington’s most peaceful places to camp. Fifteen campsites nestled next to a placid lake are reason enough to make the journey, but the Cape Alava Loop seals the deal. This 9.4-mile loop combines forest hiking with rocky beaches and passes through some of the wildest coastline Washington has to offer. If it’s full when you arrive, head back down the road to Lost Resort, which offers additional campsites.
Klahowya Campground
One of my favorite first-come, first-served campgrounds is Klahowya Campground, an unassuming stop along Highway 101. With more than 50 campsites, it can be a good bet for finding a spot even on busy weekends. It’s also ideally situated for exploring the area, with Lake Crescent, Sol Duc Hot Springs and the coastal sections of Olympic National Park all within driving distance. But you might just want to spend the weekend eating huckleberries and salmonberries while exploring the myriad forest trails that wind through the campground loops.
South Beach Campground
Kalaloch Campground is a popular spot along the Olympic coast, and reservations can be tough to snag during its reservation season. If you miss out, as I often do, South Beach Campground is just down the road. It has fewer amenities but puts you right along the same stretch of Olympic coastline. In my experience, the crowd, a mix of van-lifers and retirees, is invariably friendly.
Icicle Creek Road campgrounds
Icicle Creek Road is home to at least six campgrounds with first-come, first-served sites, from Eightmile to Rock Island. My advice: Take the first available site you find, because these campgrounds can fill up quickly. From there, you’ll have easy access to everything the area has to offer, from hitting a beer garden in Bavarian-themed Leavenworth to whitewater kayaking on the Wenatchee River and tackling some of the best hiking in the state, including the famed Enchantments thru-hike. If you’re looking for one place to start, try Johnny Creek, which has 65 sites that are entirely first-come, first-served.