Image via State of WA Tourism
This one is for die-hard outdoor adventurers. No fair-weather campers here! If you love the colder seasons and want to get outside as much as possible – then you’re in luck. There are plenty of state parks in Washington that offer fall and winter camping – plus some pretty spectacular sights!
Of course, you want to have something to do once you get there. Otherwise, you’re just sitting around in the cold, and you can do that anywhere. So we looked through Washington State Parks and found the top spots for winter camping with nearby winter activities to keep you busy.
Here are the top spots around Washington that offer cold-season camping – make sure you pack those thermals!
Lake Easton State Park is considered one of the best spots for year-round camping and offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling (when there’s enough snow). Its groomed ski trail winds past the Yakima River and is great for both classic and skate skiers. Camping is allowed in the day-use area and requires a Sno-Park permit from December to March. The site also offers water and heated restrooms – which you’ll certainly appreciate if you wake up in the middle of the night to use the facilities.
Where: 150 Lake Easton State Park Rd, Easton
Distance from Seattle: 70 miles
This place is great if you’re still new to winter camping! Enjoy comfy amenities like heated bathrooms with showers, plowed roads to campsites, and covered shelters. This park has all the views with stunning shorelines, dense forests, and lake and mountain views. Sno-Park permits are required every winter from December until March, so make sure to get yours ahead of your trip.
Where: 21588 Lake Wenatchee Hwy, Leavenworth
Distance from Seattle: 110 miles
Riverside State Park is probably best known for its swinging bridge that connects the Bowl and Pitcher campground and day-use area to miles of trails. If you feel like glamping, this park even offers two cabins that are open year-round and fit about five people each. In the wintertime, Riverside is a prime recreation hub for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. They even allow horses! So bring your gear… or stead.
Where: 9711 W Charles Road, Nine Mile Falls
Distance from Seattle: 290 miles
Found amidst the sprawling Blue Mountains of southeast Washington, Fields Spring is a forested camping park open year-round for hiking, biking, and lots of fun in the snow. Winter activities include tubing runs, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling on the nearby Forest Service property. Warming huts are also available in three locations to heat up between activities. Note that a Sno-Park permit is required from November 15th until April 30th.
Where: 992 Park Road, Anatone
Distance from Seattle: 334 miles
Make sure you take extra precautions and prepare for the colder weather. We advise visiting the state park winter schedule for the most up-to-date conditions and road closure notices before you head out.
Happy camping!
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