What is part rustic cabin, part beachfront escape, and 100% state park memory-making magic? The Cama Beach State Park cabins! Located on the southwest shore of Camano Island (no ferry ride required!), this unique state park offers experiences you can only find there. With these tips, you’ll be ready to set off on your own adventure at the Cama Beach State Park cabins.
Where you’ll stay: A little history
Cama Beach State Park offers 33 beachfront and beach-view cabins of varying sizes that can accommodate groups of 4-8 guests per cabin (plus your furry friend if you book a pet-friendly cabin for an additional fee). The cabins were all built in the early 1930s when the area was developed as a fishing resort, and not much has changed about them since then! It’s best to think of staying in the 90-year-old cabins as elevated camping rather than resort living.
Things you’ll need for your cabin stay
Your rustic experience begins upon arrival. No private vehicles are allowed in the cabin area, so you will either transport your gear from the upper parking lot to your cabin via the provided wheelbarrow carts or by calling the free Cama Beach shuttle for a ride.
Once you arrive at your cabin it’s time to set up camp! Each cabin comes with a combination of bunk beds and stand-alone beds (mattresses are provided, but bring your own bedding!), a kitchenette with a sink, microwave and a small fridge (there are no stoves or ovens, however, so bring your own camp stove or charcoal for the outdoor grills), and exactly one additional power outlet (time to experience the good ‘ol days, before unlimited device charging, kids!). There is one electric heater in each cabin, and all windows open to allow airflow from the refreshing waterfront breeze.
A rustic experience
Quarters are tight inside the cabins, so be prepared for a cozy-living experience with your cabin mates. The onsite bathhouse offers clean restrooms and free private-stalled showers (or spring for a deluxe cabin with its own ensuite bathroom).
When packing for a stay at the Cama Beach cabins, prepare as if you are going tent camping (minus the tent). You’ll need bedding and pillows, cooking equipment and dishes, food and beverages, clothing with layers (Note: there are no public laundry facilities onsite), toiletries, a first aid kit, and flashlights for navigating the grounds at night. Leave behind kitchen appliances because cooking inside the cabins (other than with the provided microwave) is not allowed.
Get in queue
Cabin reservations are a hot commodity, so be ready to jump online the moment reservations become available for the dates you’re seeking. Reservations can be made 9 months in advance of your arrival date (18 months in advance for groups of 7 or more cabins that reserved together), with a two-night minimum. Reservations may be made online through Washington State Parks (make sure to search under “roofed” accommodations for Cama Beach Cabins) or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
Where you’ll play: Beaches and watersports
Whether you’re seeking beaches, nature, or land-locked activities there truly is something for everyone at Cama Beach.
Cama Beach State Park offers hundreds of feet of private beaches for you to explore during your stay. Camano Island is known for its plethora of crabs, and my kids spent hours turning over rocks on the shore looking for tiny crustaceans (seek-and-find is fine, but make sure all wildlife stays on the beach.). During our beach wanderings, we also saw amazing wildlife: seals, jellyfish, blue herons, and bald eagles (and if you’re there at the right time, maybe even whales!). Keep in mind that the seashore at Cama Beach is made of Puget Sound pebbles, so bring sturdy water shoes or sandals for exploring.
If you prefer to be on the water, there are plenty of options for setting sail. Cama Beach has an onsite partner organization, The Center For Wooden Boats, that rents out everything from kayaks and canoes to crab pots and fishing gear. Watercraft can be rented either hourly or daily. Guests may also bring their own watercraft (paddle boards are a popular option) to launch off the beach. If you bring your own larger watercraft, there is also a public boat launch at Camano Island State Park about a mile down the beach.
Nature exploring: Cama Beach welcome center
Once you get off the beach there is still so much nature to explore. If you want to take your outdoor adventures to the next level, check out a free nature backpack from the Cama Beach welcome center when you arrive. The backpack comes fully stocked with goodies to help you observe and interact with nature like binoculars, a nature journal, nature scavenger hunts, and kid-friendly guidebooks.
On our first day at Cama Beach we completed a surprisingly exciting and informative geocache adventure that took us throughout the park–just download the Adventure Lab app and search Cama Beach.
There are several miles of hiking trails that you can access either directly from Cama Beach State Park or from the neighboring Camano Island State Park. Our family opted to hike from our cabin to Cranberry Lake (2.5 miles roundtrip). Along the way, we found plenty of wild huckleberries and blackberries and we stopped to read the nature signs along the trail. Cranberry Lake itself is more of a large bog, and we enjoyed looking for evidence of the resident beavers along the shore.
There are several fire rings set near the beach too (no beach fires are allowed in the state park). All fire rings are stocked with free firewood, so just bring your own matches and the fixings for s’mores!
Events, activities and the Cama Beach store
During the busy summer months, Cama Beach offers a daily calendar of events and activities to keep you busy from dawn until dusk. Some of the activities offered during our stay were a Junior Ranger program, Ranger-led activities (we learned about barnacles and bald eagles), guided hikes, and open hours at the quaint on-site maritime museum. There was also toy boat making at The Center for Wooden Boats, stargazing walks, a family movie night in the Cama Beach Center, and even family square dancing with a live band!
Perhaps not surprisingly, one of my kids’ favorite activities in this nature wonderland was…visiting the Cama Beach Store. This adorable little shop is well-stocked with all of the essentials: Toys, candy, and ice cream. If candy bars aren’t the only items on your shopping list, the store also carries non-essential items like snacks, ice, medicine, and toiletries. The back of the store also has a cozy reading nook, complete with shelves full of books and board games you can borrow during your stay. Just outside the store is a grassy area surrounded by wild rose bushes where you can play chess on a giant board–and while you’re there, keep your eye out for the resident deer that come by to snack on the roses.
Dining out
If you want a break from cooking (or you just want to indulge in a truly incredible meal), walk up the hill from your cabin to the Cama Beach Cafe. With beautiful views and delicious made-from-scratch food, you can’t go wrong! The cafe is open from 8:00-2:00 most days (Tip: they also make a delicious vanilla latte in a to-go cup if your rustic cabin “sleeping” arrangement leaves something to be desired.). More information about the Cama Beach Cafe can be found on their website.
Final thoughts
Staying in the Cama Beach cabins truly is an experience unlike any other. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, kid-friendly ranger programs, or beachside relaxation there really is something for everyone. Tuck away these tips, pack your bags, and let the memory-making begin!
Know Before You Go
- Reservations for the Cama Beach cabins can be made up to 9 months ahead of your arrival date at https://washington.goingtocamp.com (Search under “Roofed” accommodations for Cama Beach cabins)
- The Cama Beach cabins are located at Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island (1880 W Camano Drive, Camano Island, WA)
- Be prepared for a camping-like experience in the cabins when you pack for your stay.
- The Center for Wooden Boats provides small watercraft rentals during the summer season.
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