Seattle Area Van Camping: Bay View State Park (Mount Vernon, WA)

**Note: as of Dec 2025, there are many non-electrical/water campsites available, but only a few full hookup sites. Reserve soon if you need electricity/water.**

Join us May 15-17 2026 at a location that should be convenient (no ferries) as well as fun and educational. Bay View State Park is about 70 miles north of Seattle on the coast. It's technically in Mount Vernon (10 miles to downtown) and near Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. It has great views, beach activities, many hiking and walking trails and a free museum/aquarium nearby that we can visit. We'll be inviting our friends from We Love Camping - Seattle, the more the merrier!

Bay View State Park is a scenic saltwater‑front campground on Padilla Bay in Skagit County, Washington, offering classic Pacific Northwest coastal camping with panoramic views of the San Juan Islands and distant mountain ranges. The park’s 66 acres feature roughly 1,285 feet of shoreline, making it perfect for beachcombing, birdwatching, kayaking, kite flying, fishing, and picnics along the water. The campground includes a mix of RV sites with partial hookups, tent sites, and six cozy cabins, plus restrooms and showers—ideal for a spring getaway when wildflowers bloom and migratory birds return. Numerous picnic areas and easy access to tidal flats enhance the relaxed seaside vibe.

Top 3 nearby hikes & walks (via komoot):

• Padilla Bay Shore Trail – An easy, scenic walk along the estuary and bay shoreline, perfect for birdwatching and sunset views.
• South Padilla Bay Wildlife Area Trail – A moderate loop through wetlands and coastal habitats with excellent wildlife viewing.
• Dike Trail to Breazeale Padilla Bay Interpretive Center – A gentle route on elevated dikes offering sweeping estuary panoramas and interpretive stops.

Spring’s mild weather and extended daylight make Bay View a refreshing base for outdoor adventures, wildlife watching, and waterfront relaxation.

Learn more: Bay View State Park

Event/Reservation Details:

• At this time there are open sites near each other and with electricity in the photo attached to this event. Please try to get in this area, but other areas should be fine. Reserve SOON if you need electricity/water.
• Fees: $70-100 for two nights, including $8 online reservation fee. Booking one night is allowed.
• Bathrooms/shower: Yes, both
• Pets: Allowed (please leash/control at ALL times)
• Activities: we'll have nightly campfires/BYO food and firewood if there isn't a fire ban, and van show and tells. Saturday midday we can hike/walk, visit downtown Mount Vernon, and/or visit the Breazeale Interpretive Center, a small museum/aquarium which is free and part of the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
• Getting there: the campground is about 70 miles north of Seattle, mostly on I-5, a 90 minute drive with no traffic. No ferry needed.
• Reservation Link--reserve soon if you need electricity/water, see attached image for where the group will be located.

**Questions about how our events work or how to book a campsite? Check out the "how to" on the group description and PM Mary/group organizer with any questions.**