Top 5 Trips in 2023

SEATTLE, WA – Another really strong year getting out and about and exploring. This is my second full year in the Pacific Northwest and I was able to get out and check out a lot of different places in 2023 and I’m already starting to think about where I want to go in 2024.

When it comes to traveling, this year has been all about car camping… I’ve updated you in terms of what’s going on with my RV, which is now gone and started the search for a new one… more to come that in 2024.

But right now it’s time to take a look at some of the places I was able to get out to this year. So without further ado… in reverse order… here are my top 5 trips in 2023

My Top 5 Trips in 2023!

At number 5 on the list, Kanaskat-Palmer State Park in Ravensdale Washington… stayed there in March and one of the highlights… cooking soup in a hail storm!

Here’s the 411 on the trip:

I stayed there 1 night and after taxes it worked out to be $28.00 dollars per night
I stayed in site #14… The site was easy to get into, beautiful and spacious
Cell service was terrible. I wasn’t able to use my phone all trip. I have AT&T.
The facilities: The park has 25 tent spaces, 19 partial-hookup sites with electricity, six yurts, one dump station, two restrooms (ADA), and six showers (four ADA). Maximum site length is 50 feet (limited availability).
I was easily able to book my reservation online at: https://washington.goingtocamp.com/

According the website:

“Kanaskat-Palmer State Park is a 541-acre camping park on a low, forested plateau, with 2 miles of shoreline on the Green River. Boat and raft launching is by hand only. River rafting and kayaking down the Green River Gorge is for expert-level enthusiasts only.”

Coming in at number 4… Dash Point State Park in Federal Way Washington… this state park kicked off my car camping year… it was also the first time i camped in the winter.

Here’s the 411 on the trip:

I stayed there 1 night and after taxes it worked out to be $28.00 per night
I stayed in site #22… A decent site. It is sloped a bit and the parking is close to the inner loop road and not very deep.
Cell service was terrible, barely one bar and I was not able to use my phone at all at my site. I have AT&T.
The facilities: 114 standard campsites, 27 utility campsites, one dump station, four restrooms and six showers. Maximum site length is 40 feet (limited availability). There are no primitive sites at this park.
I was easily able to book my reservation online at: https://www.parks.wa.gov/223/Reservations

According the website:

“Hidden in plain sight between Seattle and Tacoma, this park offers miles of forested hiking and biking trails, but its main draw is the beach. The shoreline narrows at high tide, bringing anglers out to its pier. Low tide turns the sand flats into a play destination for locals, families with children and hip skim boarders surfing the shallow water.”

At number 3 on the list… Belfair State Park in Belfair Washington… i got really lucky with an amazing spot to camp in. the weather was perfect and it was worth the trip.

Here’s the 411 on the trip:

A short trip this time, but won’t be the next. For the 1 night after taxes it worked out to be $45.00 dollars
I stayed in site #155… The site was easy to get into, close to one of the bath houses and an amazing view at the back of the site, looking over water.
Cell service was great. I was able to use my phone all trip. I have AT&T.
The facilities: The park has 90 standard campsites, 41 full hookup sites, 2 primitive sites, a dump station, three restrooms, and 8 showers. Maximum site length is 60 feet (limited availability).
Campsites are reservable between May 15 – Sept. 15
I was easily able to book my reservation online at: https://washington.goingtocamp.com/

According the website:

“Located on Hood Canal between Shelton and Bremerton, the park’s gentle breezes offer ideal conditions for kite-flying, windsurfing and kicking back on a warm summer day. Anglers can choose from fresh and saltwater fishing, and kayakers can push off onto the Cascadia Marine Trail and explore the Puget Sound waterways.”

Sliding in at number 2… Manchester State Park in Port Orchard Washington… this was a really great trip, aided by a beautiful ferry ride to and from the park. this is a spot i think you’d enjoy.

Here’s the 411 on the trip:

One night after taxes it worked out to be $40.00 dollars
I stayed in site #47… The site was easy to get into, close to one of the bath houses and had good separation between sites
Cell service was good. I was able to use my phone all trip. I have AT&T.
The facilities: The park has 35 standard campsites, 15 partial hookup sites, a dump station, 2 restrooms, and 2 showers. Maximum site length is 60 feet (limited availability).
Campsites are reservable year round up to 9 months in advance
I was easily able to book my reservation online at: https://washington.goingtocamp.com/

According the website:

“Set on the shore of Rich Passage, Manchester State Park makes the perfect getaway for day-trippers or Puget Sound campers on a Kitsap Peninsula road trip. Military and maritime buffs will find intrigue at Manchester. The park is known for the large brick structure that was once a torpedo warehouse and an adjacent concrete casemate that once housed firing triggers and cables to the underwater torpedoes. The term “torpedo” was used to describe underwater mines in the early 20th century, when the fort was built to protect the shipyards at Bremerton. Middle Point, as the fort was called, stocked an underwater mine field during World War II.”

And for me, the number 1 spot on my car camping list for 2023… Birch Bay State Park in Bellingham Washington… just near the Canadian Border, Birch Bay was a great stop with lots of water and good hiking trails and just a great overall feel

Here’s the 411 on the trip:

This was just a quick overnight stay, but I could have easily stayed a week or longer. For the 1 night after taxes it worked out to be $70.00 which was really $40.00 dollars per night, I added my yearly Discover Pass for $30 dollars, hence the total price
I stayed in site #115… The site was easy to get into, and right across from one of the bath houses. The neighbors are a little close, but the trees and plants do provide some privacy.
Cell service was great. I was able to use my phone all trip. I have AT&T.
The facilities: The park has 147 campsites, 20 partial hookup sites, a dump station, eight restrooms, and 18 showers. Maximum site length is 60 feet (limited availability).
Campsites are reservable between May 15 – Sept. 15
I was easily able to book my reservation online at: https://washington.goingtocamp.com/

According the website:

“Staying overnight? The friendly campgrounds, basketball court and environmental education programs in summer ensure fun for the whole family. If you’re looking for a side trip, the U.S.- Canada border town of Blaine and the fascinating Peace Arch State Park are only 9 miles north, and the lively university city of Bellingham is 20 miles south. You can always spend an evening in town and return to the beachy bliss of Birch Bay.”

There you go, my top 5 trips for 2023… I hope you enjoyed the look back and next year… I hope to get out even more and explore the pacific northwest!

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