State Parks near Bellingham, WA

Alpine Lakes Wilderness, in Washington, was originally established as “Alpine Lakes Limited Area” in 1946, but because this classification didn’t protect it from mining operations and commercial endeavors, nature lovers lobbied for several years to increase the protections. In 1976, President Ford agreed and signed an act to reclassify it as a wilderness, “Alpine Lakes Wilderness.” He was heard saying about Alpine Lakes, “anywhere so beautiful should be preserved.” This pristine slice of wilderness is the home of several endangered and threatened animals, including the golden eagle, goshawk, spotted owl, and lynx.The closest large town is Leavenworth, WA, which is a charming Bavarian-themed town. Many businesses, restaurants, and shops center around this niche, and visitors will find confectionaries, …

Bay View State Park sits on the shores of Padilla Bay, which branches off the waterways that lead to the nearby Pacific Ocean. The state park is situated in a rural region, in the far northwest corner of the state of Washington. A small town that share's the park's name is just outside the park's borders. The nearest town of real size, Burlington, is less than 10 miles to the east. The Seattle metro area is around 70 miles to the south, while the Canadian border is less than 50 miles to the north.The ecosystems found in the state park include forestland, as well as marshy wetlands and beaches, being that it sits right on the water. The …

The Pacific Northwest is an absolutely gorgeous destination to explore, and when you book an RV in Mason County, you’ll have easy access to not only the Olympic Peninsula but also major cities like Seattle and Tacoma. Belfair State Park is located just east of the Olympic Peninsula and lies on the shores of the Hood Canal, an offshoot of the Puget Sound. This state park offers a diverse collection of wooded areas and wetlands to explore.The boundaries of the park contain both water and land, and the combination of wetlands, pebble-filled beaches, tidal flats, and intricate salmon runs will keep you entertained for days on end. RV camping at Belfair State Park is also a great …

The Pacific Northwest has an immense amount of outdoor places to explore, and when you search for an RV in Whatcom County, you’ll have easy access to all that the northwestern corner of Washington has to offer. Birch Bay State Park is a small state park that is a great starting point for your adventure. Its combination of sandy shores, rocky beaches, and breathtaking views of the North Cascade Mountains will amaze almost anyone.As luck would have it, while camping at Birch Bay State Park, you’ll have easy access to both natural attractions and a few nearby cities, including the popular tourist destination Blaine and even Abbotsford, in Canada. Additionally, Birch Bay State Park borders Birch Bay, …

Located just outside Darrington, WA, and roughly 30 miles away from Arlington, Boulder River Wilderness covers 48,674 acres. Designated in 1984, this area gets its name from Boulder River that weaves through this wilderness. It is one of the ten wilderness areas within the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest. Boulder River Wilderness is dotted with lakes, waterfalls, alpine meadows, rivers, mountain peaks, and streams. No matter the season you plan on exploring Boulder River Wilderness, you will be treated with rewarding views of the awe-inspiring mountain vistas.Hike or bike through Boulder River Wilderness rugged terrain to get a view of its diverse plants and animal species. Regardless of your reason for visiting this area, it is always a great …

Nicknamed “the wilderness in the city," Bridle Trails State Park is a pristine pocket of rainforest in the Seattle metro. The state of Washington purchased nearly 500 acres in 1930 and officially established it as a state park in 1932. It, however, laid largely disused until the late 30s when the Civilian Conservation Corps, operating under President Roosevelt’s New Deal program, cleared out the underbrush and blazed several miles of trails. An extremely horse- and dog-friendly park, Bridle Trails State Park is considered one of the premier equestrian trails in the west.The town border of Kirkland butts up against Bridle Trails State Park. Just a mile to the northwest, Kirkland is the former home of the Seattle Seahawks, a …

If you enjoy swimming, kayaking, fishing, and a variety of other water sports, you'll love Dash Point State Park. Located just west of Federal Way on the Puget Sound, and easily accessible from both Seattle and Tacoma, this 461-acre park is all about being on, in, or near the water.And with an RV-friendly campground that's open all year round, Dash Point State Park is a great place to take the family for a weekend or even a whole week of water-based fun and relaxation. Keep reading to find out how to plan your perfect camping vacation in this beautiful Washington state park.

There are many different activities for families to bond over at Deception Pass State Park in Oak Harbor, Washington. Visitors can enjoy the beaches of Cranberry Lake where they can fish or search for shells. Swimming is also permitted at the lake and is a great way to spend a weekend in the summer. Book an RV in Island County and head over to Deception Pass State Park to experience this peaceful 3,800-acre tract along the Puget Sound.Here, you'll enjoy tranquil island living as well as close proximity to some of the state's largest urban centers. While camping at Deception Pass State Park, plan to visit Coupeville, a 30-minute drive south of the park. You can also …

Discovery Park is located in the northwest corner of the Seattle metro area. The park sits on the inner, Elliot, and Shishole Bays, that branch off of Puget Sound, which eventually leads to the Pacific Ocean. Other larger towns in the local area include Bellevue, which is less than 15 miles to the east, and Tacoma, which is around 40 miles to the south.This is a beautiful area of Seattle to visit. Discovery Park offers a quieter, more secluded and natural setting in a very scenic part of town. In addition, you are just on the outskirts of a large city and can enjoy all the cultural activities and eclectic restaurants, shops and museums available there.

Western Washington's Olympic Peninsula is a place of impressive and diverse natural beauty. It's home to untamed forests, towering mountains, scenic rivers, and beautiful coastline. Dosewallips State Park is commonly referred to as the eastern gateway to the peninsula.Located in Brinnon, a little over two hours west of Seattle, Dosewallips State Park is a 1,064-acre park on the shores of Hood Canal. It offers excellent fishing, boating, birdwatching, and beachcombing, and it's open for camping all year round.If you're searching for a beautiful Washington state park for relaxed RV camping, Dosewallips may just be your ideal destination.

Flaming Geyser State Park is a hidden gem in Washington that not many know about, despite its close proximity to the sprawling metropolis of Seattle and the capital of Olympia. In fact, if you head along the Route 169 from Seattle, it takes just 45-minutes to reach Black Diamond, the gateway town to this 480-acre state park.Flaming Geyser State Park is named after its central feature, a natural gas vent that once shot a flame eight feet into the air. Nowadays, the flame is only 6-8 inches tall, but it’s still worth a look during your Flaming Geyser State Park camping adventure, as is the second bubbling geyser that can be found in the park. Other than …

RV camping at Fort Casey State Park is a great way to see the collection of islands north of Seattle, in the Puget Sound. When you book an RV in Island County, you’ll have easy access to all the islands have to offer, and by taking the ferry system, it is possible to make it back to the mainland easily. Fort Casey State Park was originally created in 1955 after Washington State Parks acquired the land. The park rests on the spot where, starting in the late 1800s, the U.S. Army held the position as a defensive and resupplying depot.Over time Fort Casey was slowly abandoned, one piece at a time. It wasn’t until the park system …

What started in 1942 as a coastal defense fort is now a 651-acre recreation area used for camping, mountain biking, and paragliding. The park was named after Isaac Neff Ebey, who was the first permanent white citizen of Whidbey Island. Since this is one of the last defense system forts constructed in the Puget Sound, it harbors many secrets and insights that World War II history buffs will find interesting. To that end, guests are encouraged to have their flashlights at the ready, as concrete platforms, the former underground battery, and gun sites are the main attractions for explorers.Geologists might find the area around the park quite intriguing as it consists of large depressions called “kettles” that are a …

When vacationing in Washington, make sure to check out Fort Flagler State Park. Fort Flagler is located on Marrowstone Island, just 15 minutes from Chimacum, half an hour from Port Townsend, and about 90 minutes north of Tacoma.This old military barracks was built in the early 1900s as a fort to protect the country during WWI, WWII, and the Korean War. It has since been retired and transformed into a lovely state park. Fort Flagler is the perfect place to go hiking, watch wildlife, or play in the water. Start your vacation by searching for an RV in Jefferson County. Then, gear up for a memorable getaway on the bay.