Moran State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Located in northwestern Washington on Orcas Island in the Puget Sound, Moran State Park is a protected area covering over 5,000 acres. The highest point on the island is Mount Constitution's summit, a popular scenic overlook. The varied ecosystems in the park include wetlands, lakes, hills, forests, and bogs. Prior to the establishment of the state park in 1921, the land was owned by Robert Moran, a former Seattle mayor. While most of the estate was donated to the state, Moran's mansion remains and is used as the Rosario Resort and Spa.
Nearest Cities:
Olga, WA
East Sound, WA
Anacortes, WA
Sidney, WA
Spring 35-59 F
Summer 45-67 F
Fall 35-63 F
Winter 31-44 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Moran State Park
Campground Accommodations
North End Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 45 feet
Other amenities: Playground, picnic tables, restrooms, coin-operated showers, fire pits, dump station
Midway Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 45 feet
Other amenities: Restrooms with showers, boat ramp, picnic tables, gravel pads, fire pits, lakefront sites
South End Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 45 feet
Other amenities: Restrooms with showers, fire pits, picnic tables, dump station
Mountain Lake Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 30 feet
Other amenities: Primitive toilets, dump station
Lakedale Resort
This nearby hot spot tucked into the aptly-named community of Friday Harbor offers a wide range of accommodations, including traditional hotel rooms as well as rentable yurts and Airstreams. RV sites are available at Lakedale Resort, also; each includes water and electric hookups and is equipped with a fire ring and picnic table.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: n/a
Wifi: n/a
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: general store with snack bar, hot showers, flush toilets
Fidalgo Bay Resort
Open year-round and in close proximity to a wide array of San Juan Island attractions, Fidalgo Bay Resort is a popular option amongst RV campers. Almost 140 RV sites offer up to 50 amps of service, and there’s free coffee available each morning in the front office!
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: general store with propane, bath house with showers, laundry facility, play area and horseshoe pit
Bellingham RV Park
If you’re willing to stay back on the mainland, Bellingham RV Park offers quite a deal. Weekly and monthly rates are available if you’re looking to stay a while longer, and complimentary coffee and cookies make the place feel like home.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: campground store with library, laundry facilities, bath house, horseshoe pit
What to Do at
Moran State Park
Moran State Park is an ideal destination to get away from it all with its remote location in the middle of Puget Sound. The five lakes are often used for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating. Interpretive programs are also available, so be sure to check the park's online schedule of events.
Work up an appetite by swimming, hiking along the park's 40 miles of trails, or fishing in one of the lakes, then stop by the concession stand for a snack.
Inside Moran State Park
With views like these, honesty, most people don’t need much convincing when it comes to taking a trip to Moran State Park. But what are the most popular activities visitors take on once arriving? Here are just a few.
Hiking, biking, and horseback riding - With 38 miles of hiking trails, 11 miles of bike trails, and 6 miles of horse-friendly pathways to boot, there’s no shortage of ways to explore Moran State Park terrestrially.
Boating, fishing, and swimming - It’s an island, after all, so if you’re looking to get wet, you’ll find a way! If you’re hoping to reel in dinner, Cascade Lake is stocked yearly by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Species include rainbow, cutthroat and kokanee trout.
Bird watching and wildlife viewing - This untarnished landscape is a great place to get up close and personal with the local wildlife. Don’t forget your binoculars!
Mount Constitution - This highest mountain in the San Juan Islands is topped by a stone tower replica of the Russian watchtowers that were constructed in the Caucasus during the 12th century. This tower was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC -- as were all the other roads and bridges that lead to the summit.
Fishing
This park is a popular fishing destination with five freshwater lakes in the park and frontage on the Puget Sound. Mountain Lake and Cascade Lake are stocked annually with kokanee trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout. Bass, pumpkinseed, and other species are also native to the area.
Geocaching
For visitors who enjoy hunting for treasure, several caches are located on the island. Clues and GPS coordinates for these caches are accessible online and via the geocaching app.
Nature Watching
Whether you are boating or viewing the sound from the island's shore, you could spot orcas surfacing. This area is also home to raccoons, mule deer, black-tailed deer, bald eagles, owls, blue herons, frogs, lizards, snakes, newts, woodpeckers, gulls, crabs, and otters.
Stargazing
Moran State Park's island location and the minimal availability of electricity results in low light pollution. Because of this, the conditions are optimal for stargazing throughout the year, depending on the weather.
Hiking
Moran State Park has nearly 40 miles of trails that offer great views. One of the easier routes to traverse is the Cascade Falls Trail, which leads to the San Juan Islands' largest waterfall. Some of the more challenging hikes are the Cold Springs Trail and the Constitution Loop Trail.
Swimming
Swimming is permitted in all of the park's lakes. The most popular swimming destination is near the day-use area at Cascade Lake. Lifeguards are not on duty at any of the lakes.
Boating
The two boat launches in Moran State Park are only available for non-motorized, personal watercraft. You must get a permit from the park's office to use the launches. Rentals for canoes, rowboats, kayaks, and paddleboards are available at Mountain Lake and Cascade Lake.
Biking
Only select trails in Moran State Park permit biking. This includes 11 miles of year-round trails and 25 additional miles of trails that are accessible seasonally. Bike rentals are available at the park office on a first-come, first-serve basis.
How to Get to
Moran State Park
To reach Moran State Park on Orcas Island, you will need to travel on a ferry. The ferry accommodates RVs. However, reservations are required for RVs larger than 22 feet, and they are recommended for all other travelers. The ferry departs from a terminal in Anacortes. Keep in mind that ferry access is dependent on weather conditions.
You can reach Anacortes from Seattle by traveling north along Interstate 5. Roughly two hours north of Seattle, take exit 230 in Burlington. Follow Highway 20 west to Anacortes. This highway ends at the ferry terminal.
Entering Moran State Park
Parking is available throughout the park, close to trailheads, day-use areas, and lakes. The day-use fee is $10 per vehicle. If you take advantage of the park's docks, buoys, and marinas, an additional fee applies. The dock fee is $15 or more based on the boat's length. The buoy fee is $15 per night, and marina slips are available for $12 per night.
No matter which Washington state park you visit this year, or even if your RVshare vehicle takes you further afield, we can’t wait to learn all about your adventures! Tag us in your social media posts or send photos and details to us directly at [email protected]. We’ll pick some enviable winners and reshare their stories in our own blog or social media channels.
Happy camping!
Frequently Asked Questions About Moran State Park
Moran State Park is open year-round. The peak season is between March and October. Because certain areas of the park may be inaccessible at times due to weather conditions, contact the park office ahead of your arrival.
Moran State Park is a native habitat for many birds, including blue herons, gulls, woodpeckers, owls, and bald eagles. While exploring the park, you may also spot orca whales, crabs, raccoons, lizards, frogs, otters, and black-tailed deer.
Some of the sites at Moran State Park can accommodate RVs. All camping spots have a fire ring, picnic table, and nearby restrooms.
Reservations are permitted and recommended during the peak season. All sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis from October through March. An $8 reservation fee applies if making the reservation online, and the fee is $10 if the reservation is made by phone. Overnight camping costs $20 in the off-season and $27 in the peak season.
Dogs and horses are allowed at Moran State Park. Dogs must remain on a leash at all times, and you are responsible for picking up after them.
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