Well, let me tell you, I heard folks talkin’ ’bout them best camping lakes in Washington, and it got me thinkin’. Washington, that’s a big place, lots of water, lots of trees. My old bones ain’t what they used to be, but I remember a thing or two ’bout campin’ out under the stars.
They say there’s this one lake, Diablo Lake, sounds kinda spooky, but they say it’s real pretty. Some kinda color like a robin’s egg. They say it’s got little bits of rock in the water, makes it shine all special like. Sounds like a good place to sit and watch the sun come up, I reckon. If you wanna see that turquoise water, gotta go to Diablo Lake. That’s what they say, that’s the best one for pretty water.
And there’s another, Sullivan Lake, up in that Colville Forest place. Sounds kinda far off, but sometimes them far off places is the best for peace and quiet. You know, just you, the trees, and the water. No noisy neighbors, just the birds singin’. That’s the life, ain’t it?
- Diablo Lake – for that pretty blue water
- Sullivan Lake – for peace and quiet
Now, I heard tell of this place, Fairholme Campground, somethin’ ’bout a park, Olympic National Park. They say it’s easy to get to, and real peaceful. Sounds like a good spot for folks who don’t wanna hike a mountain just to pitch a tent. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with takin’ it easy, I always say.
Then there’s Ike Kinswa State Park. Now that’s a mouthful, ain’t it? But they say it’s a good one, quiet, and right between that big highway and that mountain, Mount St. Helens. You know, the one that blew its top a while back. Makes you think, don’t it? How somethin’ so pretty can be so powerful. Anyways, if you want somethin’ easy to get to, that Ike Kinswa might be the ticket.
And what’s this? Bonaparte Lake Campground. Sounds fancy, but they say it’s good for fishin’, all year round. Up north, where it’s all rugged and wild. If you like catchin’ your own supper, maybe this is the place for you. Fresh fish over a campfire, nothin’ better. Good place for fishing, Bonaparte Lake.
- Fairholme Campground – easy to get to
- Ike Kinswa State Park – between the highway and that mountain
- Bonaparte Lake Campground – fish all year long
Oh, and they got this Lake Wenatchee State Park. Open all year, they say. And lots of campsites, almost two hundred. Sounds like a popular spot. Maybe a little too crowded for my taste, but some folks like havin’ neighbors around. Safety in numbers, I suppose. You can go there any time, that Lake Wenatchee, always open.
There are a whole bunch of camping lakes in Washington, they say over 8,000. Eight thousand! Can you imagine? More lakes than you can shake a stick at. And some have got those campgrounds, like that Diablo Lake Campground and Lake Chelan State Park. Lots of pretty views, they say. And things to do, swimmin’, fishin’, hikin’, all that. That Lake Chelan, heard that one is real big. Good for boats, if you got one.
Washington’s a big state, lots of places to see. They even got a desert out there, somewhere in the middle or the east, I reckon. And places called Sun Lakes-Dry Falls SP, and Steamboat Rock SP. Funny names, ain’t they? But I bet they’re pretty in their own way. Deserts got their own kind of beauty, you know. Quiet, and the stars at night, must be somethin’ to see. And that Steamboat Rock, bet there’s a story behind that name.
- Lake Wenatchee State Park – open all the time, lots of space
- Diablo Lake Campground – for those pretty views
- Lake Chelan State Park – big lake, good for boats
- Sun Lakes-Dry Falls SP – out in the desert
- Steamboat Rock SP – wonder how it got that name?
So, if you’re lookin’ for a good place to camp by a lake in Washington, you got plenty of choices. Just remember to be careful, respect nature, and leave no trace. That’s what my pappy always said. And pack plenty of bug spray. Them mosquitos can be fierce, specially by the water. Don’t want to get ate up by bugs on your vacation, that is the worst!
So many lakes in Washington, you can try a new one every year. Maybe one day you will see all 8,000! Probably not, that is too many. But you can sure try. Me, I am happy just thinking about them, remembering the old days. Camping is good for the soul, that is what I think. Fresh air, good times, being outside. Yes sir, camping is the best.
