My kids will be 4 and 6 this summer, more than enough to do a couple nights with dad in the woods... I've hiked and camped in the back-country in the olympics and cascades, but only hit spots which are too aggressive for the young-ens...

Anyone got recommendations on spots where I can drive in with the kids, camp, and drive out?

Thanks!

Kalaloch is a fun spot. You have beaches to explore, plus the woods on the east side of the highway. A day trip up to Neah Bay would also be a good trip, taking a walk out to the NW corner of the US.

Up along Icicle Cr. out of Leavenworth used to be one of my favorites. Get there early to get the good spots. Also Salmon La Sac out past Roslyn.

2nd for Kalaloch, we go there every year. Also, Wynoochee Lake is fun. The KOA in Warrenton has little log cabins with bunks you can rent, it has a pool and a giant air filled pillow for the kids to bounce on. There is a lot of stuff to do in the area. Ft. Stevens bunkers, the beach, Seaside, Astoria column, fishing the Columbia.

You were up early IrishRogue.
I like Teanaway especially when it's raining on this side of the mountains. We usually go after Labor Day so not sure what the crowds are like in the summer.
We do a little scouting and bring the bows to play with.
Andy's idea of Kalalok with a side trip out to Neah is a good one too just a lot further drive.
There is also the newer campground at Neah out by what is it Shi Shi? Gorgeous out there.

Salt Creek, Tounge Point, just after Port Angeles i think almost to Joyce...they have great tidepools and a old bunker to check out...nice little trails...we got blown off the water in Seiku one day a coulple years ago and decided to pack up and head home, stoped to check out that place been there a couple times now...its the only place i have found that i didnt mind not fishing, just relaxing...c


Heres a little info...and a website
http://www.clallam.net/CountyParks/html/parks_saltcreek.htm

Salt Creek Recreation Area County Park has national park aesthetics, with County Park amenities. The 196-acre Park includes upland forests, rocky bluffs, rocky tide pools, sand beach, Salt Creek access, campsites, and panoramic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Crescent Bay, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Salt Creek is a regional park that draws visitors from all areas of the northwest and is another one of Clallam County's premier parks. Many colleges and schools from all over the United States visit the Park to study and observe the marine life.

The Park has something for almost anyone. For the kids and young-at-heart, play equipment, basketball court, horseshoe courts, softball field, and volleyball court provide the base to expend that extra energy. Passive leisure pursuits include tide pooling at the Tongue Point Marine Sanctuary, kite flying, sun bathing, watching shipping lanes, and exploring the remnants of WWII-era Camp Hayden. Many thrive on the nature driven activities of surfing, kayaking, scuba diving, and bird watching. At night, spread a blanket to stargaze or prepare somores by the campfire or behold the lights of Victoria B.C. or ohhh and ahhh at the brightly lit cruise ships, as they pass through the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The area was purchased from the Federal General Services Administration after being surplussed at the end of World War II. The site was used during World War II as a harbor defense military base called Camp Hayden. The remnants of World War II Camp Hayden are preserved on the site - two concrete bunkers which housed 16" cannons and several smaller bunkers.

i really like it there...c

Fort Warden or Fort Flagler or Old Fort Townsend are all posibilities if your around the Port Townsend Area. Lots of beach things to do and military bunkers and such to explore. Close enough to town too to easily adjust for the "Oh darnnit, I forgot......"

Thanks for the suggestions, all!!!

My ideal spot is driveable in an SUV, but mostly unimproved. Pitch a tent, pump some water with the filter (from a nearby stream or river) and cook over a fire. Outdoors in the bugs and weather.... I want the kids to get used to it all when they're young!

---- Brian

(Seastrike, I'm not up early, I'm posting from across the pond in Paris)

if your up to drive over this way check out the lyre river campground, it's a little more rustic, and it sounds like thats what your looking for

Dog Lake at the top of White Pass, you can take them out trolling the lake for little trout in rubber rafts, or just still fish from your camp site.. It is a pretty spot, there is brookies and stocked rainbows. It might have a pit toilet but that is it.

Also, look into Yahoo Lake on the upper C-dub. A really pretty spot, with fish to catch.

Lake Roosevelt
The Colville tribe has a really nice little campground, Keller Park on the San Poil arm of the lake.
Lots of water activities right there, fishing, swimming.
Nice drive up there as well along Banks Lake and Past Grand Coulee.

Leech Lake is right uphill from Dog Lake and has lots of nice brookies with camping along the shore.

RR I went up to Yahoo Lake last summer and the gate is locked a few miles from the lake....haven't been back so not sure if that is still the case.
That would be a long drive for Brian to find a locked gate. On the bright side there was a nice DNR campsite just downhill from there on the river.
There was also a ton of bear sign if you take a right at the locked gate. More sign than I have ever seen in such a small area.

It's still locked...

Fish on...

Todd

So many spots around the olympics it is endless. We always loved the dosewallups as kids. Endless sights along the river just to pull down in a SUV and pitch a tent. Could also try up by naches. Take the little naches up and there was endless spots there as well. Great for any 4-wheelers/bikes. Let me know if you see any elk......

Thanks for the info about Yahoo lake, I didn't know that. I haven't been there for a long time. Actually the last time I went we stayed at the DNR camp, because Yahoo was full of yahoos.

IR - Buck creek campground on the Suiattle river road would be a good place to do the things you mentioned. It's fairly primitive, not crowded and you could drink the water in the creek. (above the campground of course) There's hiking, fishing for dollies and just general exploring to do. Great place to just relax and it's only about an hour and a half from Kirkland.

One of my favorites is Black Pine lake in the hills above the Methow valley. Nice high altitude to escape the summer heat with lots of brookie's. Also plenty of hiking trails in the area. I usually hit it in Sept as there are also a ton of grouse

Winthrop along the Chewach River--DNR sights---go fish Buck Lake, also, camp along the Hoh--DNR spots.

If you are up for a drive and a view of some different countryside then I suggest Trinity in Idaho. Look around Featherville. Beautiful country, amongst other things.