With the first hints of warm weather my mind has turned to summer camping adventures. If, like me, you’re dreaming of spending the night in a tent or hanging out around a campfire, you should think ahead.
Many popular campgrounds fill up months in advance, especially for weekends. If you want to guarantee a spot, make reservations. Here is a roundup to help you plan your summer fun.
Car camping
State parks: Reservations are available at more than 60 state parks for campsites, yurts and cabins. To make reservations for most Washington state parks, go to https://washington.goingtocamp.com or call 888-226-7688. Cama Beach and Camano Island state park cabin reservations must be made by calling 360-387-1550.
Mount Rainier National Park: Mount Rainier has three car-camping campgrounds, Cougar Rock, Ohanapechosh and White River. Cougar Rock and Ohanapechosh allow reservations and usually open in late May. Get details on the campgrounds and make reservations at http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm. A fourth campground, Mowich Lake on the northwest side of the mountain, allows walk-in, tent camping, but you can drive right to the edge of the campground. It’s usually open in early July. It also allows reservations, which are filled using the wilderness permit system. (See below for details.)
Olympic National Park: Kalaloch Campground allows reservations. The other front-country campgrounds are all first-come, first-serve. To make reservations, go to http://1.usa.gov/1KDK0ef. Reservations are accepted from June 8 to Sept. 18 and can be made three days to six months in advance.
North Cascades National Park: Campgrounds are first-come, first-serve. Get details at www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/camping.htm.
Forest Service: Many Forest Service campgrounds accept reservations, and you can find them all over the state. For a list of campgrounds in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, go to http://1.usa.gov/1xiFasr. Click on each campground for information on when it’s open and how to make reservations. To look for and reserve Forest Service campgrounds around the state and country, go to www.recreation.gov.
Backpacking permits
Enchantments: This year, the period that permits are required for The Enchantments, outside of Leavenworth, has been extended. Permits to backpack are now required from May 15 to Oct. 31. Permits are hard to get.
The application period for Enchantment permits is now open but closes on Wednesday. Permits are issued through a lottery system. Permits not issued during the initial period are available first-come, first-serve through the website. A limited number of permits are also available first-come, first-serve on a daily walk-in basis.
There is a $6, non-refundable application fee. If you do get a permit, the fee is $5 per person, per day. Apply for a permit and get details at http://1.usa.gov/1n3xTst.
Mount Rainier National Park: A permit is required for all overnight camping in the wilderness areas of the park. Permits for the Wonderland Trail fill up quickly. You also need a permit for climbing above 10,000 feet or on any glaciers.
Wilderness permit reservations are accepted beginning March 15. Requests received between March 15 and March 31 are processed in random order starting April 1. After that, requests are processed in the order they are received. Requests can be made by fax or letter.
After late May, they can also be made in person. Reservations are $20. If you don’t get a reservation, you will not be charged. For information and a reservation form, go to www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/wilderness-permit.htm.
Olympic National Park: A permit is required for backcountry camping in the park. Some areas have quotas and reservations are available from May 1 to Sept. 30. Reservations are accepted beginning March 15 and must be made at least three days in advance. Some walk-in permits are also available. Reservations can be mailed or faxed. They cost $5 per person, per night. Kids under 16 are free.
For more information and reservation forms, go to www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-reservations.htm.
North Cascades National Park: Backcountry camping and boating requires permits, which are all first-come, first serve. Get more info at www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/permits.htm.
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