Mountains or beaches? Mountains or beaches? In Washington, you can have both—at the same time. The Evergreen state lives up to its nickname with unique RV camping sites giving access to more activities than you can cover in—well, a summer? A year? A hike will take you past whistling marmots (AKA groundhogs), or maybe you want to watch the orcas flip and dive in sea foam at the coast. Your RV route can go through gorgeous remote areas for boondocking or sophisticated cities for more social activities. RV living here will keep you busier than you might think, but the numerous parks and storage facilities can provide a glorious respite as well. If you live full-time in your RV, there are few better places to be.
Campsites/Parks
Camping and parking opportunities in Washington have such a variety of experiences that we can only point you to the possibilities. As for other places, permits are required for some areas and activities. Making reservations for campsites and RV parks in advance is highly recommended. Washington is popular, especially in warmer months. The summer climate here is temperate and mild in the west, with rain and fog in the winters, and drier and warmer in the east. Western winters are rainy at lower altitudes and prime for winter sports through the Cascades. Eastern areas have more extreme difference by season
The park system, both state and national, is extensive. The Bureaus of Land Management and Reclamation also provide campsites and boat launches. A number of Native American reservations dot the map, with historic and modern entertainment. The Department of Wildlife will show you fishing, shellfishing, and hunting opportunities.
Passes and permits are described online, and reservations can be set as well. Plan on getting the Washington State Discover Pass.
Boondocking
Where you can’t go is a shorter list, but as always, some restrictions and RV etiquette apply. Washington values its land and air, and protecting both is paramount. That said, locations abound, some permitting longer stays than in other states and some with standard campgrounds. As usual, the size of your RV should be a factor in your route planning, as well as the weather. Wildlife viewing, mountain climbing, birding, fishing, and boating can all fit into your boondocking plans.
City Parking
So much has been written about Seattle and Puget Sound and Bainbridge Island, and Tacoma and Vancouver and Richland and Spokane… the list takes you from east to west for climbing, visiting wineries, historical sites of the Gold Rush, and more. But parking that RV in the city will require some planning and research.
Some cities permit on-the-street parking in residential areas with a permit. Permits vary by length of stay and price. The best source of information will be the Department of Transportation sites by city. One size here does not fit all.
Seattle
Seattle, probably the most popular destination, and for good reason, does not permit RV parking outside of an RV park. However, for a day’s excursion, it may be possible to land at the Woodland Park Zoo, and take public transportation 5 miles from there. A small parking fee is involved and it’s advisable to check on this possibility, as little current information is available.
Ferry terminals and the airport may offer RV parking as well as the new southbound Interstate 5 Gee Creek Rest Area located south of Ridgefield. Casinos also permit RV parking.
Vancouver
A suburb of Portland, OR, the city of Vancouver has 7-day parking permits. This southern Washington city is noted for its historic buildings as well as the Fort Vancouver Historic Site, its Wine and Jazz, and its 4 Days of Aloha Hawai’ian Festivals.
Richland
One of the Tri-Cities areas, along with Pasco and Kennewick, Richland sits at the confluence of the Columbia and Yakima Rivers. Known for its outdoor activities, Richland is home to marinas, biking trails, hunting, fishing, golfing, and more. Drier and warmer than western Washington, Richland has a semi-arid steppe climate, excellent for growing wine grapes. The population has boomed thanks to industries supporting nuclear technologies, including Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Richland is also the location for Luxelocker’s upcoming Luxury RV & Boat Storage facility with large, secure, climate-controlled units and a rich variety of amenities such as wash stations, WiFi, and showers. Making Richland your home base gives you easy drives in either direction when you decide to explore central and western Washington or eastern Idaho. And when it’s time to give the wheels a rest, Luxelocker is the perfect home for your RV. For more information, call us today on 833-333-5893.