Camping Under the Stars

Go camping under the stars in a grove of pine trees, relax in an RV with a view of Mt. Baker, or spend the night in a cozy room. In Anacortes, choosing a place to rest under the stars can be any style you want.

There are over a dozen of hotels and bed and breakfast establishments in Anacortes to choose from if you’re not interested in camping. Many serve breakfast and have knowledgeable staff that can assist with making the most of your Anacortes experience.

Need room for the family? Anaco Bay Inn has family-style villas. Nantucket Inn has eight cozy rooms and a great room for everyone to gather. The new expansion at the Majestic Inn & Spa now includes nine extended-stay suites.

Need someplace close to the ferry? The Anacortes Ship Harbor Inn sits on a wooded six-acre hillside overlooking the Washington State Ferry terminal.

Have an RV? At Swinomish Casino and Lodge RV Park relax in RV sites with views of Padilla Bay, the Swinomish Channel, Mt. Baker, and the Cascade Mountains. This newly built 30 full-service site RV Park just steps away from the casino and minutes from town. In the early evening, snuggle up next to the outdoor fireplace at 13 Moons and sip a beverage while taking in the view, then dine in the restaurant and end the night with a waltz through the casino.

Pioneer Trails RV Resort has over 100 sites on 26 acres of towering pine trees and green ferns. The resort offers extra roomy RV sites with full hookups and larger “Super Sites” with private cabanas. Looking for a rustic experience? Stay the night in one of their cabins. Large cabins include a full-size bed, bunk beds, and a small dining room table. Small cabins include one bed. Both have a microwave, cable TV, electricity, heater, and refrigerator. Once you’ve hit the town or taken a whale watching tour enjoy a walk on the nature trail, feed the fish in the Koi pond, or take the kids to the playground.

Anacortes’s largest RV Park is Fidalgo Bay Resort with 141 full hookups, 5 bay view cabins, and a waterfront clubhouse. Start your morning off with a free cup of coffee from the on-site store and walk the Tommy Thompson trail along Fidalgo Bay into Anacortes for shopping and dining. Later, walk the beaches and take in the views of Mt. Baker and the San Juan Islands at this “RV at the Sea.”

Like to go tent camping? Washington Park, on the west end of Fidalgo Island, offers 73 campsites, 46 sites with water and electric hookups, scattered throughout forested hills and pine trees. There are plenty of activities to do just steps away from the campground. Drive or walk the 2.2 scenic mile loop and see the San Juan Islands and the Olympic Mountains. Hike the trails. Bring your boat and spend a day on the water. Take a picnic lunch down to the beach or playground. Have a beach campfire at sunset and revel in the breathtaking view.

Bowman Bay Campground is on the south side of Fidalgo Island with views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. It’s part of the Deception Pass State Park system. The forested campground has 20 sites for camping, two with hookups. The park is within walking distance from Bowman Bay Park and minutes from Deception Pass Bridge. It’s a great starting point to hike the trails to Deception Pass and Rosario Beach, kayak in the calm waters of Bowman Bay, or fish off the dock. There are also lots of events happening at Deception Pass Park.

Anacortes is known for its beautiful vistas, sweet-smelling wooded forests, water activities, and its historic downtown. Wherever your adventures take you, playing and staying can fit whatever mood you’re in, which makes choosing that perfect place to sleep under the stars easy to do.