Here’s an alphabetical list of some airports that are potentially great for camping in the PNW. In addition to those, I leave you with a list of ones that are less desirable and the reasons I think as much, in case you’re wondering. In all cases, get yourself some earplugs from Loop, you might need them!
Note: This page is a work in progress and will be continuously updated. If you see any incorrect information or would like to add to the convo, please contact me via the contact form. Thanks and happy camping!
Yes? Perhaps. (Perhaps not…)
- Easton State (ESW): WSDOT-managed airport open 1 June – 1 October. Elevation 2221 feet; check density altitude. Camping, picnic tables, fire rings, outhouse; no potable water but a clear stream is reportedly at the east end of the field. Fairly close to I-90 and it appears to have always-on medium intensity lighting, so the jury is out on this one. Will update when investigated further. This airport has not been visited by the author.
- Friday Harbor (FHR): Under-wing camping is allowed for a nominal fee, but this is a busy airport with a beacon and other light pollution. Amenities include bathrooms and a nice pilot lounge including power and Wi-fi. However, downtown is just a short walk away, so there may be better options. Piston single tie-downs are $21 overnight; Camping fee is (additional) $25; See website for current information.
- Grand Coulee Dam (3W7): By all accounts, this seems like a great place to airplane camp, although information is limited. There is parking for aircraft at the primitive camping area on the grass on the west side of the runway opposite the main pilot’s lounge area, although the entrance is quite steep. The camping area has picnic tables, a port-a-potty, and propane BBQ grill. Carts are available on the ramp to transfer camping supplies for those not wanting to park off-pavement. In addition to the camping area, the pilot’s lounge is well-stocked with honor-system snacks and drinks, and there is an outdoor shower area available.
- Orcas Island (ORS): Similar to Friday Harbor, under-wing camping is allowed but there’s light pollution and noise. Sure, that might be great for some, but if you want a real quiet stay, head to nearby Obstruction Pass State Park. My wife and I got a rental car delivered to the airport and were the only campers at the walk-in sites at Obstruction in October. Another option is Doe Bay Resort and Retreat, where hot pools are available for soaking as well as Sound-side yurts and tent camping. Piston single tie-downs are $20 overnight; Camping is (TBD); See website for current information.
- Point Roberts (1RL): No camping at the airport, however first-come, first-serve tent camping is available immediately south of airstrip at Lighthouse Marine Park Campground (open mid-April through October 31) which includes potable water, free showers and indoor heated restrooms. There are walk-in sites available for $8/person for non-Whatcom-county residents; see website for current information. $15 overnight fee for aircraft. Pros include a 10-minute walk to Kiniski’s Reef Tavern for dinner, minimal light pollution, nearby Whale Trail and Orca viewing, and a sense of hubris for paying only $15 for the privilege of overnighting at the enclave (the strip doesn’t mow itself!). Cons include industrial noise from Vancouver area – bring earplugs!
- Stuart Island (7WA5): This is a private strip, however for Washington Pilot Association members, free lodging at the primitive cabin is available. There is no power or water available, however. This airport has not been visited by the author, although he has canceled three trips there due to weather and aircraft availability. Some day!!
- Sullivan Lake State (09S): Open 1 June – 1 October at 2614 feet elevation. Check density altitude. Primitive tent camping under-wing, picnic tables, fire rings, nearby outhouse, water “next to fire rings,” this is described as a recreational paradise. The strip is short, published at 1765 feet, however the author measures the available distance at slightly over 1900 feet with Lake Sullivan at the southern end. This airport has not been visited by the author.
- Ranger Creek (21W): Open 1 June – 1 October at 2650 feet elevation. This is a mountain airstrip for experienced pilots only. Check density altitude. This is possibly a great place to camp – the nearby highway certainly lets up in the evening, no commercial traffics are allowed, and it is at the foot of Tahoma. Although the airstrip itself only has a couple of fire rings with no other amenities, surrounding the airstrip is the Ranger Creek Forest Service campground with pit toilets. There is no potable water available, however, and the nearby White River is full of glacial “flour” and will certainly quickly clog a water filter.
- Stehekin (6S9): Difficult approaches; mountain airstrip. Caution density altitude. Recommended for experienced mountain pilots only. Located west of the remote village of Stehekin, this is the only way to town besides a long ferry ride the entire length of Lake Chelan. Although there is no water, outhouse, or fire rings at the airstrip, picnic tables are available and camping and amenities are available 1/4 mile away at the campground, as well as in the town of Stehekin (seasonally available). This airport has not been visited by the author.
- Tieton State (4S6): Open 1 June – 1 October at 2,964 feet elevation. Check density altitude. Sure, it’s at Rimrock Lake and will likely feel very “wildernessy,” however the runway is adjacent to a busy gravel road, especially on weekends. I’m hoping the restricted camping area on the north side of the field is an attractive option, even if that requires parking the plane on the south (and dusty) side. On our visit in July 2025, the grass was pretty high near the south threshold, less in the middle, but still highly favoring tail draggers / high prop clearance. I wouldn’t want to take a 172 in there unless the surface was firm and the grass was short. Jury is out on this one. There are pit toilets and a large dumpster nearby. The WSDOT website mentions there is water available via combination lock but this is unverified by the author.
- Whidbey Airpark (W10): Perhaps among the best public camping options in the sense that there’s no major highways or attractions near the airport, at least for the average looky-lou. There are a few tent spots available with fire rings, as well as bicycles for use, although they needed some TLC during my last visit. On the other hand, Whidbey is an incredibly small piece of pavement surrounded by trees in all directions. Even experienced aviators need to be on their game to land here. Pros include Mukilteo Coffee Roasters and Mercantile adjacent to the airport.
Hard No: Airports not great for camping in Washington
- Bandera (4W0): Open 1 June – 1 October. What’s not to love about at 2300-foot WSDOT-operated grass runway with camping near a river in the foothills of the Cascades really close to Seattle? Uhh I-90 traffic, less than 100 yards north of the runway. Bandera carries the allure of a well-maintained state-owned strip with picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilet, (and no water), but the proximity to constant traffic means you either need to be deaf, use top-end earplugs like the industrial-strength Loop versions, or expect to perhaps not sleep at all. Hard no.
- Lake Wenatchee State (27W): Open 1 June – 1 October. Although this WSDOT-managed 2,400-foot airstrip is surrounded by wilderness and seems like an idyllic place to camp (and it very well may be), there are no picnic tables, no fire rings, no outhouse, and no water. Lake Wenatchee is about a mile away. Hard maybe. This airport has not been visited by the author.
- Skykomish (S88): At first this short 2,000-foot WSDOT-operated runway replete with fire rings, outhouse, picnic tables, and camping appears like a close-to-Seattle-backcountry-dream, until the train comes by your tent at 4am and rattles your soul to the bone. No water. Hone your short-soft skills here, crush a sando, check the box and go elsewhere for relaxation. Hard no.
- Woodland (W27): Operated by WSDOT, you could lay down a tent at this sleepy strip next to the river with a short walk to a variety of food options. Cancel that idea – you’re next to some of the worst traffic in the country. Also no restrooms, no fire rings, no water. Woodlawn is good for a few short/narrow-field practice seshes, otherwise look somewhere else. Hard no.
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