romantic rustic getaway in washington?

August 18, 2008 1:52 AM

Where should we camp/stay to feel isolated and romantic within 1-5 hour drive from Olympia, WA?

I'm planning a weekend getaway for an anniversary around Thanksgiving, we'll be driving from Olympia, WA. The most important aspect is a beautiful natural surrounding, on the water would be fun but not necessary.

We're looking for rustic accommodations, ranging from: somewhere we have to hike a bit to and bring our own water and food on foot, an relatively uncrowded campground, somewhere with a rustic cabin for rent, something else...

An area with an interesting history would also be a cool option.

posted by dahliachewswell to travel & transportation around Olympia, WA (5 answers total)

A couple years ago my wife and I stayed a few nights in a cabin in Bay View state park. It was not all that isolated, but close to Padilla Bay. We really enjoyed it.

If that doesn't grab you, here's a list of all WA state parks with yurts, cabins and other rustic shelters. Several of them are not too far from Olympia.
posted by cog_nate at 9:50 AM on August 18, 2008

This place is great , though it might take more than 5 hours with the ferry and all. Rustic, you can bring your own food or eat in the restaurant, and lots of gorgeous hiking trails. http://www.pointnopoint.com/index.php
posted by jildelicious at 10:33 AM on August 18, 2008

Just FYI, Point No Point is on the Kitsap Peninsula, which does not require ferry-taking. I think it's about an hour past where I live, which makes it about three hours from Olympia. Google maps says only 1 hour 50 minutes.
posted by nursegracer at 3:36 PM on August 18, 2008

If you have (or can borrow) a rowboat/kayak the Ben Ure Cabin at Deception Pass State park is only accessible by "beachable human-powered watercraft". It has a kitchen and electricity but you have to bring your own drinking water.
posted by Pangloss at 5:45 PM on August 18, 2008

ok, we never actually went on that rustic getaway, but its still in the works maybe when it warms up a little.... but i thought i would add another awesome resource i found during my research: the listing of rental cabins and fire lookouts managed by the federal Forest Service in WA and OR.
posted by dahliachewswell at 1:24 PM on December 12, 2008