u/Senordrums

We are finishing up a week long camping trip at some of our state's most amazing state parks. Thanks to this sub, we made plans to stay at Sun Lakes/Dry Falls but due to a wildfire, the park was temporarily closed so we were forced up north to Steamboat Rock SP. Prior to this, we stayed at Alta Lake for two nights and are now enjoying cooler weather (and shade) at Lake Wenatchee SP. Sun Lakes eventually opened back up so we spent a day there in near 100 degree weather but the park is so amazing and has enough lakes to cool down in that we didn't mind.

While I sit here in the morning enjoying my coffee and a warm fire, i was pondering; out of all the SP's we've camped at, which are my top five and why. We've camped at a lot of parks, mostly on the west side due to convenience, but i know we've only scratched the surface. Eastern WA has a lot of choices that are too far for a weekend getaway but i would love to spend more time here.

List your top five parks for camping and why. For us, it's important to have shade, some privacy, good showers and plenty of amenities like a beach, trails and natural beauty.

1. Cape Disappointment-Big Sandy beaches, lighthouse, large somewhat private and shaded sites, trails and the overall beauty. It's the most PNW spot we've ever camped.

2. Steamboat Rock-We didn't plan to camp here but after visiting Sun Lakes, it's the far superior campground in that area. Full hookups, clean and modern Park, nice partially shaded sites (but not all). But what we loved the most were the sandy shallow beaches and warm water, which is perfect for small children. Camping in Grand Coulee is amazing and there are lots of trails to explore. The heat got us a little but we brought an awning and our camper has A/C so we survived. The park is set up for boaters and has an extra parking space at each site to store your trailer. Sun Lakes/Dry Falls is a superior park for its geological formations but the campground and lake were subpar.

3. Lake Wenatchee-This maybe just because we are currently staying here but it's shaded, private sites, good showers, trails, lake and beach and an amazing view looking down the lake. No wonder it's so hard to book. Compared to Alta Lake and Easton, it's a far better Eastern WA forested campground.

4. Fort Flagler-We are lucky to have several old military barracks as state parks but we really love this place. Great views, very quiet, nice sites and they also have houses to rent, which we often take advantage of in winter. The kids love exploring the barracks and seeing the wildlife. Plenty of trails, a lighthouse and beach.

5. Twanoh-Honestly, it won't get 5 stars for its sites but the old stone buildings and layout remind me of the campgrounds of my youth. We like oyster shucking and the entire beach is full of them. And there is something special about that part of the South Sound that i really enjoy. My wife prefers Dosewallips, and that park is better for camping, but I'll always be a Twanoh guy.

Hanging out at Birch Bay SP and my kids show me some crabs they found in a tide pool. We took them to the conservation tent they have set up and they said they are kelp crab. My kids said some family thought they were invasive European crabs so they were smashing them on the rocks with their feet. A quick search on the interwebs would have easily confirmed they are not. Don't be like this family.