San Juan Islands Family Camping

Hassle-Free Family Camping

This trip is all about hassle-free family camping.  No bored children.  No frazzled adults.  Bicycle Adventures provides all the activities and does all of the work, leaving you free to enjoy your vacation.  Kids and adults can ride as much as they want and have options for hiking, sea kayaking, a whaleboat ride, playing games, or just relaxing.  Our private campground has hot showers, flush toilets, and electrical outlets, leaving you refreshed after each active day.

Cycling, Frisbee, Volleyball and an Egg Tossing Contest at Private Campgrounds

On Monday, we’ll meet your family in Seattle and shuttle to Anacortes, where we catch a ferry to secluded Guemes Island.  Guemes is a perfect spot to introduce everyone to their bicycles, as it has virtually no traffic (there’s only one general store on the entire island).  In the late afternoon we take another ferry to Lopez Island and cycle to Lopez Farm Campground, a private campground reserved exclusively for us, where we spend the next four nights.  There’s time for frisbee, volleyball, egg tossing, or just relaxing as your guides set up your tent, prepare a fantastic meal, and do all of the cleanup.

Cycle Lopez Island, Explore Spencer Spit

On Tuesday we cycle Lopez, the least hilly and most rural of all the San Juan Islands.  We explore the beach at Spencer Spit State Park, where your kids will love the driftwood constructions — and perhaps create some of their own.  After lunch we’ll watch the seals play at Shark Reef Park.  Kids and adults will have numerous options for biking, hiking, and games.  Choose what you want — it’s your vacation.

Look for Orcas on Whale Watch Cruise

On Wednesday, after an optional morning bicycle ride, we visit San Juan Island where we go for a wildlife cruise (included in the trip fee).  We’ll be looking for orca (killer) whales as we cruise around the beautiful rocky shore of San Juan Island.  Afterwards we explore on foot the community of Friday Harbor with its interesting whale museum, and enjoy an ice cream party we host before catching a ferry back to Lopez.

Hike Mt. Constitution for Spectacular Views

Thursday is primarily a hiking day as we head to Orcas Island for a great hike up Mt. Constitution in Moran State Park.  From the trailhead beside a lake in the park we can hike all or partway to the top for spectacular views of the entire San Juan Island chain, the snow-covered Cascade Mountains, and Vancouver Island.  If you wish, we can bring your bicycle over so you can ride up the mountain rather than hike. Afterward, a swim in Cascade Lake is very tempting before we return to Lopez Island. 

Beautiful, Safe Sea Kayaking

On Friday morning we sea kayak along Lopez’s quiet shoreline (included in trip fee).  No experience is necessary, but participants must be at least six years old.  The calm waters of Puget Sound provide a beautiful and safe place to kayak.  We’ve hired a local outfitter to provide us two-person kayaks that are extremely stable and easy to master.  While still on dry land, their expert instructors will teach us how to use them; then they'll lead us on the water near the peaceful shores of Spencer Spit.  After lunch we cycle or shuttle to the ferry that returns us to Anacortes and the van ride back to Seattle.

Deluxe Camping… Family Fun Without the Work

Bicycle Adventures provides all of the camping equipment, including tents, Thermarest sleeping pads, and towels.  Sleeping bags are available to rent.  We do all of the cooking and cleanup, so you can just relax and enjoy spending quality time with your family.  You’ll love our salmon with dill sauce, gourmet pizza, and shish kabobs, among other entrees.  Kids can opt for younger, kid-style fare such as hot dogs or macaroni and cheese, if they prefer. Vegetarian, kosher or other special meals are available — just let us know your dietary preferences.

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