Information about camping for overnight outings:

Although the information provided here is believed to be accurate as of the time it was posted, regulations and fees change, and information on the Internet is often moved to new locations. If you discover that any information provided here (including any link to another information source on the Internet) is erroneous or out-of-date, please advise us, so that we can keep this Website current, by telling us through an E-mail to Admin@MasonCountyKayakClub.org.

Park usage fees: State parks may have their own fees for use of the park, for camping, or for specific services such as launching.

Fees for camping within State parks can be examined by accessing information about the specific park through the following link: http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/.

Of special interest to kayakers are those campsites that are part of the "Cascadia Marine Trail" system. That Trail is described as follows:

Camping:
The Cascadia Marine Trail (stretching along the inland waters from Olympia to Point Roberts) and the Willapa Bay Water Trail (embracing unspoiled Willapa Bay) are the first two trails in Washington designed for kayaks, canoes and other non-motorized, beachable boats. Water trails offer unsurpassed views of Northwest scenery and wildlife while providing access to pullouts, campsites and other public amenities along the way.

A $10 overnight fee is charged for State Park campsites along both trails. Fees for other sites on the Trail vary (some are free). An annual permit for the more extensive Cascadia Marine Trail is also available at a cost of $20 per person. All proceeds from permit sales directly support the development and expansion of the Washington Water trails system.

Source: http://www.parks.wa.gov/trails.asp

Further information about State Parks: The home page for the State Park system is at the following link: http://www.parks.wa.gov/ . The page that allows accessing information about specific parks is at this location: http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/.

Camping on Blake Island -- Initial information is from the following website:www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Blake%20Island&pageno=1

Blake Island State Park is a 475-acre marine camping park with five miles of saltwater beach shoreline providing magnificent views of the Olympic Mountains and the Seattle skyline. The park is only reachable by tour boat or private boat. Indian-style salmon dinners and demonstrations of Northwest Indian dancing are offered at Tillicum Village, a concession on the island. A highlight of the park is its five-mile beach shoreline, which provides magnificent views of mountains, volcanoes and the Seattle skyline (8 miles away).

Camping Reservations: This is a first-come, first-served park. No reservations are available.

Campsite Information: The camp has 51 tent spaces, one dump station, four restrooms (one ADA) and one shower area. Cascadia Marine Trail sites are located on the west end of the island. These sites are for use by canoers and kayakers only. Primitive sites are also available on the west side. All campsites are first-come, first-served. Water trail camping site, $10.

Additional comments from Gerry H: "Blake Island has a larger supply of camping spots than the demand on them. Reservations are not even accepted (unless you have a very large group and use the group camping area - which has open shelters to sleep in). There are three areas to camp in: The west side of the island where there is water and flush toilets and about 10 camping spots. The east side of the island which is near the marina and 'longhouse' which has 20 camping spots, water, flush toilets, and showers. The third option is the Washington Water Trails Association site on the NW side which has probably 6 sites and I have never seen anyone camp there in the 30+ times I have been on the island (they are the least desirable camping spots)."

Camping on Hope Island -- Initial information is from the following website: www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Hope%20Island%20(Mason)&pageno=1

Hope Island State Park is a 106-acre marine camping park on the western side of the State in Mason County, Puget Sound. This quiet island is reachable only by boat. Covered with old-growth forests and saltwater marshes, the park features a beach one-and-a-half miles long. One-and-a-half miles of beach and two miles of hiking trail attract boaters to this small, quiet island.

Camping Reservations: This is a first-come, first-served park. No reservations are available.

Campsite Information: The park offers four tent spaces. In addition, there is one Cascadia Marine Trail site available to canoers and kayakers only. No open fires are permitted on the island. No water is available, but two vault toilets are provided. All campsites are first-come, first-served. Water trail camping site, $10.

Camping at Lake Quinault-- Additional information is available from the following website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic/aboutonf/quin/quin.htm

Campsite reservations: All National Forest Service campgrounds around the Lake operate on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are available, but the Forest Service office advises that campsites are almost always available for the claiming at noon on Fridays (except for major holiday weekends). The Quinault Forest Service office can be reached at 360-288-2525.

About the Lake, tribal fees, and a cautionary note: Lake Quinault is a tribal lake. Powerboats of any sort are never allowed, but during some years the Lake is closed to all boat traffic. Any trip to Lake Quinault requires verifying that the Lake is open (the tribal office number is 360-276-8215). Use of the Lake requires purchasing a season pass in the form of a boat decal (available at stores in the area), which costs $15 (but covers an entire year). There is an additional tribal fishing license required to fish on the Lake (a three-day license is reportedly available), but those who wish to fish can find areas in the National Park and National Forest where they can fish without such a license (but must have the appropriate pass or payment of a National Park or Forests fee).

Campsite Information:    Three National Forest Service campgrounds are open at Lake Quinault for Summer 2003 -- Falls Creek, Willaby Creek and the Galton Site. Two other camping areas -- at July Creek on the north shore and a walk-in area with five campsites near Falls Creek on the south shore -- are presently closed (the former for tree removal and the latter for a bridge repair). The two main south-shore campgrounds (Falls Creek and Willaby Creek) offer drive-in and walk-in campsites, with the per night fee for drive-in sites $14 or $15, and the fee for walk-in sites $11 or $12 per night (depending on whether fees are raised from the lower number to the higher number in the next few months). Some sites are large enough to accommodate several tents; others are smaller and can hold only two or three one-person tents. Both campgrounds are set up with almost all of their sites fronting the lake, and kayaks can be hand-carried from the sites to launch on the lake. In addition to the campground fee, there is a charge of $5 per vehicle for extra vehicles (one vehicle per site is included in the camping fee). Those who are paying either fee do not have to pay extra to hike from the campground out onto the numerous trails that run to the campgrounds, but would have to have a National Parks or Forest Service pass to park at other trailheads. Lake Quinault is surrounded by rain forests, so there are many opportunities for day hikes. Pets (dogs or cats) can be brought into the campgrounds and can be taken -- always on a leash -- on National Forest trails (but not on National Parks trails). Campground check-out time is 2 p.m.
    Sites at the Willaby and Falls Creek campgrounds have access to a boat ramp, showers, water, and other facilities. The Galton Site offers 7 more primitive walk-in sites about 500 feet from the parking area, but provides no potable water and has only a pit toilet. National Park and National Forest Service passes come in a wide variety (including annual passes either for National Forests or for all National Parks and Forests (the "Golden Eagle" passes) as well the "Golden Age" passport, for those over 62). These passes entitle the holder to some discounts on camping and vehicle-use fees, in addition to access. Passes can be purchased at the Ranger Station in Hoodsport. Information about these passes can be found on the Internet at
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic/recreation/info/passports/index.html

Camping at Lake Wynoochee -- Information is available at the following website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic/recreation/campgrounds/Coho.pdf

Camping and lodging at Ocean Shores -- Initial information is from the POC.

   The Club's Ocean Shores camping trip will use the Marina campground on the southeast end of the Ocean Shores peninsula. Participants will have the option of a tent site ($12 per night), an RV site ($20 per night), or the Silver King Motel (right next to the campground, call to make your own reservations), or any other Ocean Shores motel or house rental (call to make your own reservations). The campground has showers, but is not what anyone would call a wilderness experience. The Silver King Motel is very basic.

Camping along the Pacific Coast -- The following website contains lists of camping sites along the western coast of the Olympic Peninsula, including sites operated by the National Park and State Park systems: http://www.birdingcoastalwa.com/camping.html