o Campsites: 50.
o Parking: Enough for 200 cars.
o Prices per night: Standard campsites are $21; hook-ups are $27 and cabins are $71.30.
o Reservations: 1-888-CAMPOUT.
o Website: http://www.parks.wa.gov.
Lake Sammamish State Park in King County is the state’s most-popular day-use park. Riverside State Park near Spokane is highest in attendance for a camping park.
BATTLE GROUND — Sunday seemed like a fine day for camping, even if you could be gone only one night.
So the Miller family of Orchards — dad Justin, mom Kathy, daughter Haley, 10, and son Ryan, 8 — threw the tent, sleeping bags, ax and firewood into their trailer and took off in their SUV.
About 20 minutes later, they were at Battle Ground Lake State Park.
“It’s so close to home,” Kathy said as the family set up camp about 3 p.m.
Haley approved of their camping site. “Nice and shady and a little bit of sun. I like it,” she proclaimed.
Even the dog, Duke, a black Labrador mix, came along.
“We’re gonna make hamburgers,” Ryan announced.
Many love the park for its proximity to Vancouver and the metro area, said Jim Presser. He’s been the manager of the 280-acre park since 1986.
Presser said visitors appreciate the variety of activities — swimming, fishing, and hiking on 10 miles of trail. You can ride horseback on separate trails, as well.
Presser said he’s had guests from Europe.
“We had a school group from Georgia this year in our group camp,” he said. The group camp is big enough for 64 people.
Formed by a volcano, the lake was once called Crater Lake. The name was changed because of the larger lake in Oregon.
Dan Loyden, 70, and his wife, Judy, were happy in their tent trailer Sunday, overlooking the lake.
“We come here every year about this time with six other couples,” Judy said. The couples are from the Chehalis area and stay five days. They enjoy shopping in Vancouver and Portland, Judy added.
“It’s nice and quiet most of the time,” Dan Loyden said of the picturesque park.
The park was full on Sunday, as it is most weekends. At the grassy area adjacent to the lake, there were dozens of visitors, but there seemed to be room for all.
Rebecca Juan, 53, of Hazel Dell was so relaxed in a lounge chair, she fell asleep.
She comes to the park — there is no fee for day use — about once a week.
“It’s just beautiful,” she said. “The water and the whole area is just beautiful.”
The state has approximately 150 state parks, and Battle Ground Lake ranks 46th in terms of visitors, parks officials said.
And if you want to camp at the park before school starts, get cracking. You probably can get sites during the week, but the weekends look fully booked.
