Pretty much any camping trip around Seattle will have plenty to explore—woods, lakes, your soul, etc. But history buffs, architecture aficionados, and abandoned-place enthusiasts might want something a little more structured, so to speak.
National, state, and local parks around the area have plenty of former military bases, cabins, and other historic relics hanging around, and some of them even allow camping. No, you probably can’t camp inside them, but creating a base of operations allows that much more time to explore. They’re of various levels of activation too—from museums to art spaces to just abandoned bunkers—to suit all tastes.
You’ll find a lot of them clustered around the Admiralty Inlet, forts from a former military effort to thwart invasion by sea, including all three forts of the “Triangle of Fire.” (What used to be strategic siting is now prime waterfront locations.) If you prefer your outings to not come with a side of warfare, though, there are still a couple of options.
Just looking for a hiking trip? Try our map of ghost towns, graveyards, and abandoned places near Seattle.
Map points are ordered north to south.
Read More