30 bicycle-friendly camping spots in western Washington

Adventure Cycling Association is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Bikecentennial 76 this summer by sponsoring National Bike Travel Weekend on June 3-5.

Bike campers on John Wayne Pioneer Trail – 2012

This is supposed to be fun, so there aren’t any hard and fast rules — except you need to ride a bicycle.

The Adventure Cycling staff just wants people to get in the bike-traveling mood this summer. Camp, stay at an inn, or plop down on a couch you found at WarmShowers. Ride five more or 100 miles.

If you aren’t sure how to undertake an overnight trip, the association has a suggested gear list. Need help on finding a location or some logistics? Bicycle ambassadors are available to help. See where others are going on the map below.

Registered bike rides; click on map for ride details

Those who register their overnight rides will be eligible to win a free Salsa Marrakesh touring bike.  You can register here.

Camping

If you’re interested in camping out for National Bike Travel Weekend in western Washington, take a look at the map below. Many of these campsites are set aside for hikers or bikers only;  the others are bike friendly:

Bogachiel State Park — 2 hiker/biker campsites

Camano Island State Park — 2 hiker/biker campsites

Deception Pass State Park — 5 hiker/biker campsites

Fairholme Campground (National Park Service) – 88 campsites; first-come

Fay Bainbridge Park (operated by Bainbridge Island) — 15 tent sites

Fort Townsend State Park — 4 hiker/biker campsites

Fort Worden State Park — 5 hiker/biker campsites in Upper Forest Campground

Green Mountain Horse Camp — primitive tent sites maintained by horsemen’s association

Illahee State Park — 5 hiker/biker campsites

Iron Horse State Park — 4 small campgrounds on John Wayne Pioneer Trail (in addition to 2 hiker/biker sites at Lake Easton):

Alice Creek — Milepost 2127

Carter Creek — Milepost 2123

Cold Creek — Milepost 2113

Roaring Creek — Milepost 2109

Isput Creek Campground (Mount Rainier National Park) — 28 campsites (all first come; wilderness permit required)

Joemma Beach State Park — 2 hiker/biker/kayaker campsites

Lake Easton State Park — 2 hiker/biker campsites

Lewis and Clark State Park — 1 hiker/biker campsite

Manchester State Park — 3 hiker/biker campsites

Middle Fork Campground (US Forest Service) — 39 tent campsites (closed for 2016 season due to road work)

Rainbow Falls State Park — 3 hiker/biker campsites

Rasar State Park — 3 hiker/biker campsites

Spencer Spit State Park — 7 hiker/biker/kayaker campsites

Tolt MacDonald (King) County Park — 22 campsites (reservation and 1st come) and six yurts (reservation)

Some other state parks with campground that I’ve heard encourage biker/hiker camping include:

Fort Casey, Fort Ebey, South Whidbey Island, Scenic Beach, Battle Ground Lake, and Seaquest all have hiker/biker sites.

Here’s a list of camping fees for state parks.

Still looking? The Washington State Gazetteer lists campground locations in the voluminous map book.

Bike / hike campsite at Joemma Beach…

More bike camping

Overnight bicycle tour to Fort Townsend — 2007

Overnight bike tour in Green River Valley — 2008

Overnight bicycle tour when rain is certain (Iron Horse Trail State Park) – 2009

Overnighter bicycle tour to Key Peninsula from Seattle – 2011

3-day weekend bicycling on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail — 2012

Bicycling to Mount Rainier and the ride to Isput Campground — 2014