Wanapum State Park

This is a nice getaway if you’re looking for a relatively short drive (~2 hours) and warmer temps during the colder fall months in Seattle. We went here last week (late Sept) for a quick camping trip and were pleasantly surprised. It was empty, the grass was soft (we usually camp on dirt!) and the amenities were plentiful. The one drawback was the WIND! Man, the place howls with a northerly wind that makes putting up the tent tough. We luckily had a bit of cover with some nearby bushes but it made for an extremely interesting night of sleep. Funny thing is by 3 or 4AM, the wind dies completely so you wake up to a warm inviting sun. It’s a quick stroll down the hill to the «beach area» and the kid and dog loved it. It would suck when it’s crowded though as all the sites are right on top of each other.

Great spots with lots of trees around each site. Open grass areas in the lower loop for playing with the kids. Right above the river so it can get really windy and has blown many tents over. They are fixing the up loop right now so there are not as many sites available. Great swimming hole and boat launch is just a short walk away.

Went here just for the day to use the beach. $ 10 entry fee for the day (or $ 30 for a year pass to Washington State Parks if you’re a local). Beach isn’t that impressive, more gravel-​like than sand and the water is cold but at least it’s something. Nice grassy area to relax and real bathrooms!