Published: Friday, November 20, 2009
Plan ahead for camping trips
Reservations are already being accepted for state parks. Some popular areas fill up long before summer.
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Michael O’Leary / The Herald
Cedar cabins from the 1930s line the beach at Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island. The popular park is often full.
The snow falling in the mountain passes should serve as a reminder — it’s time to make summer camping reservations.
That’s right. As people start waxing their snow skis, they might want to think about their water skis as well. Popular cabins, campsites and yurts at Washington State Parks already are filling up for the peak season between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
“For the real popular parks, it’s about nine months in advance,” state parks spokeswoman Linda Burnett said. “Usually in the off season, it’s fine.”
Parks in Eastern Washington and on ocean beaches are the first to be booked, Burnett said. Others might take a little longer, say, until the first rays of sunshine in March.
“It’s sunny and people start thinking about camping,” she said.
Even after those dates, it’s good to check back, daily if necessary, since cancellations are frequent.
If blustery weather’s no worry, there are plenty vacancies in the months ahead. Most state parks near Snohomish and Island counties are partially or fully open for the winter. That includes Wallace Falls near Gold Bar, two state parks on Camano Island and Deception Pass to the northwest.
One option is Cama Beach State Park on the western edge of Camano with 33 cabins restored to retain their original 1930s feel.
“So what if it’s raining? It’s a great place to watch a storm,” said the park’s conference coordinator, Melanie Ford-Bissey.
But act quick. The park has been wildly popular since it opened in June 2008, so snagging a cabin for a weekend could be tough any time of year.
“We really don’t have a down season here,” Ford-Bissey said. “If school is out, we’re full.”
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
Reservations
To make reservations for most Washington state parks, call 888-CAMPOUT or 888-226-7688 or go to www.parks.wa.gov/reservations. Cama Beach and Camano Island state park reservations must be made by calling a different number, 360-387-1550.
That’s right. As people start waxing their snow skis, they might want to think about their water skis as well. Popular cabins, campsites and yurts at Washington State Parks already are filling up for the peak season between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
“For the real popular parks, it’s about nine months in advance,” state parks spokeswoman Linda Burnett said. “Usually in the off season, it’s fine.”
Parks in Eastern Washington and on ocean beaches are the first to be booked, Burnett said. Others might take a little longer, say, until the first rays of sunshine in March.
“It’s sunny and people start thinking about camping,” she said.
Even after those dates, it’s good to check back, daily if necessary, since cancellations are frequent.
If blustery weather’s no worry, there are plenty vacancies in the months ahead. Most state parks near Snohomish and Island counties are partially or fully open for the winter. That includes Wallace Falls near Gold Bar, two state parks on Camano Island and Deception Pass to the northwest.
One option is Cama Beach State Park on the western edge of Camano with 33 cabins restored to retain their original 1930s feel.
“So what if it’s raining? It’s a great place to watch a storm,” said the park’s conference coordinator, Melanie Ford-Bissey.
But act quick. The park has been wildly popular since it opened in June 2008, so snagging a cabin for a weekend could be tough any time of year.
“We really don’t have a down season here,” Ford-Bissey said. “If school is out, we’re full.”
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
Reservations
To make reservations for most Washington state parks, call 888-CAMPOUT or 888-226-7688 or go to www.parks.wa.gov/reservations. Cama Beach and Camano Island state park reservations must be made by calling a different number, 360-387-1550.
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