Thanks for looking. I am considering heading to Potholes soon and would like to boat in camp. Any advice would be much appreciated.
I have an 19 foot bowrider and would like to put in at the state park and head north to find a private island. I have canoed from the north end in the many chanels and islands.
Are there many accesable islands with a larger boat with an I/O? I am assuming i could beach on a sandy island to call home for the weekend, like i have before with a canoe.
Thanks for any tips in advance. HD

Anyone? Please help, I would like to go this coming weekend. Thanks

Do you want advice on where to camp? I'd suggest heading towards Crab Creek from the State park, about 1/4--1/2 mile SW of Crab is a nice sand covered island that many have used for camping on. Deep water up to the edge, good for any boat size. It has a small hill on it to protect you from the westerly winds should a storm kick up. You'll have to have those extra long tent stakes though, since its sand.

Fish have been moving around, you'll have to find them, I caught a few up in the Sand Dunes the week-end before last..

Have fun and be sure to pick up your trash.

Thanks I'll check it out. I can't find Crab Creek though. I'll keep looking.

Here is a map of the north part of the Potholes, on the left is the Sand Dunes area, and in the center of this map is the Crab Creek entrance. Mardon and the State Park are South-South-West off the map.

The area with blue arrows are good choices for boat-camping.


Funny...I asked my wife what she would like to do for our 14th year anniversary this Friday and she said "Lets go fishing/camping at the Potholes again!". You may see me over there this week end. 20' White Campion with blue top. Enjoy!

Wow! Thats service--I would like to head over there with the fam.. thanks

I might add, there are a ton of sand-beach islands up inside of the "Sand Dunes" as well. I just pointed out the area's that I've camped in the past. Bring lots of 'skeeter repellent, they're thick at night up there in the Dunes and Crab.

We're going over again on Friday, returning Sunday. If anyone is over there, look for a 20' white Campion w/Blue top, stop by and say "hello!" We won't be beach camping though, staying at Mardon again, wife is spoiled these days as she gets older.

Fish on!

Oh, one more thing, you can launch your boat right out of Crab creek near the Power Lines. C-NE rd (Shown on map) actually turns into a dirt road and takes you right to a peninsula that has two unmaintained primitive boat launches found underneath the power lines. In past years we've camped right there under the power lines but the ground is not as nice as the Dunes, lots of Mt. St. Helens ash still left over that area, up in the Dunes it is alot more sandy-type soil.