Where can you camp for free in the Puget Sound?

[Aaronfdaniels]

Hi, I am sailing around Washington State in the Puget Sound. I was wondering if anyone knows any cool spots where your allowed to anchor out, dingy to shore, set up a camp site on the beach with a camp fire and camp for free legally. Anybody know? Thanks!

[BenBowSirocco]

Never been to that area- but you might try:



freecampisites.net

[tenchiki]

I know that Washington State Parks have some boat camping sites (one in Bowman Bay for example) that seem to require only the annual parks Discover pass. I found https://koji.tinybeans.com/seattle/b...es-washington/ has some sites.
Marine Parks | Puget Sound & San Juan Islands | NWBoatInfo.com and https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/coastalatlas/ looks like they have some info, too.


I'm surprised that is is so hard to find such a list, as I've read that it is a popular way to see the Puget Sound.

[senormechanico]

With a tent, probably any Seattle downtown street. You will also have "interesting" neighbors.

[Shrew]

There is likely not a guide for this. Some spots may be mentioned in a variety of guides. The assumption you have to make is that All Land is Owned by Someone.

What you'll need to do is identify a piece of land, determine who owns it, then find out if there are opportunities to access that land. If so, what are the requirements and restrictions for land access and use. It's fairly rare that people allow random camping on their land. If they do, it's usually going to be in a centralized spot to minimize impact, such as a tent platforms.

I suspect some will say commonly done. There are plenty of backcountry places where trespassing is ignored. I'm not saying that makes it right, just what happens.

[Kelkara]

Check out kayaking guidebooks ... kayakers camp onshore every night on a multiday trip. If there are legal places, they will know about them.

I don't know about the Puget Sound, but in the BC Gulf Islands there are very few (if any) free sites ... you have to go much further north for that.

However, what makes a good campsite for a kayaker does not necessarily exist next to a good anchorage for a sailboat.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Kelkara

Check out kayaking guidebooks ... kayakers camp onshore every night on a multiday trip. If there are legal places, they will know about them.

I don't know about the Puget Sound, but in the BC Gulf Islands there are very few (if any) free sites ... you have to go much further north for that.

However, what makes a good campsite for a kayaker does not necessarily exist next to a good anchorage for a sailboat.

THIS is a good idea!