There is something about a fire on a beach at the edge of Puget Sound that no other experience quite matches. The smell of driftwood smoke, the tide sliding in dark and quiet, the mountains going pink and then purple across the water. If you are planning a trip to Everett and a beach bonfire is on your list, you have picked the right corner of Washington State.
TL;DR: The top beaches for bonfires and fire pits near Everett, WA are Jetty Island (seasonal fire rings, free ferry from Everett Marina, open late June through Labor Day), Camano Island State Park (fire pits at reservable campsites, 45 minutes from Everett), and South Whidbey State Park or Ebey's Landing on Whidbey Island (accessible via the Mukilteo ferry, short drive from the dock). Burn bans apply in dry summers, so check Washington State's burn ban status before you go.
Where Can You Have a Beach Bonfire Near Everett, WA?
The short answer: a handful of genuinely great spots sit within 30 to 50 minutes of Everett, and each one has a different feel. Jetty Island is the local go-to for a low-key summer evening fire. Camano Island State Park is the best bet if you want to combine a night of camping with a fire on the shoreline. Whidbey Island adds a ferry ride to the experience, which is either a bonus or a hassle depending on how you look at it. Honestly? Most people call it a bonus.
One thing worth knowing upfront: Washington State issues seasonal burn bans when conditions turn dry, usually July through September. Before you pack the s'mores, check the Washington Department of Ecology burn ban map or the Washington Interagency Coordination Center's fire restrictions page to confirm fires are allowed on the day you plan to go. Campground fire pits often remain open when open beach fires are banned, so a designated pit at a state park is usually a safer bet than an open driftwood bonfire in August.
Jetty Island: Everett's Own Beach Fire Destination
Jetty Island is a two-mile sandbar sitting in Port Gardner Bay, a ten-minute free ferry ride from the Everett Marina. It is managed by the City of Everett, and during summer the city sets out fire rings on the beach that anyone can use, first come, first served.
The ferry runs from early July through Labor Day weekend, so this is purely a summer option. Go on a weeknight and you might have a quarter mile of beach nearly to yourself. Go on a Saturday afternoon in August and you will find families, paddleboards, and a lot of dogs. The water is shallow and warmer than most Puget Sound beaches, which is a rarity up here. Fire rings fill up as the sun drops, so arriving by 5 p.m. gives you a good shot at claiming one.
Bring your own wood or buy a bundle at a local hardware store before you catch the ferry. The island has no vendors. Pack everything in, pack everything out. The ferry has a small cargo limit, so a bundle of firewood and a bag of groceries is about the right load.
Our complete Jetty Island guide covers the ferry schedule, parking at the marina, and what else to do out there. If you have not read it yet, that is a good companion to this article.
Camano Island State Park: Fire Pits with a Water View
Camano Island State Park sits about 45 minutes southwest of Everett, and it is one of the quieter gems in the Snohomish County region. The park has designated fire pits at campsites along the water, and unlike an open beach fire, those pits can stay active even when county-wide burn bans are in effect for open burning. Check with Washington State Parks when you book.
The shoreline here faces the Olympic Peninsula and Whidbey Island. Sunsets are pointed directly at the Olympics, which means a clear evening in spring or fall turns into something you will be talking about for years. The campsites are reservable through Washington State Parks' reservation system, and summer weekends book out weeks in advance. Shoulder season, meaning May, June, and September, is often easier to snag and arguably more beautiful because the light is softer and the crowds are gone.
You do not have to camp to visit. Day-use parking is available, and you can walk the beach. But for a bonfire evening that extends into the night, booking a campsite is the move.
Whidbey Island: Ferry, Fire, and Open Coastline
Whidbey Island is about 30 minutes from Timber & Tide: a short drive down to Mukilteo, then a 20-minute Washington State Ferries crossing to Clinton on the south end of the island. From there, the island opens up.
South Whidbey State Park has wooded campsites and beach access, with fire rings at campsites near the shore. Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, managed by the National Park Service, has open bluff and beach access at Ebey's Landing Beach, a favorite for sunset walks. Open fires on the beach at Ebey's Landing require current conditions to allow it, and the rules can change, so confirm before you go.
Fort Casey State Park, near Coupeville, has a dramatic shoreline with lighthouse views and occasional fire pits depending on the season. The ferry adds a layer of planning. Check the WSDOT ferry schedule ahead of time because the Mukilteo-Clinton run is one of the busiest routes in the system and summer wait times can stretch. Going midweek or on an early morning run makes the whole day easier.
For a bonfire trip that also builds in some island exploration, Whidbey is the most memorable option on this list. It takes more coordination, and it is worth it.
A Few More Options Worth Knowing
Kayak Point Regional Park in Stanwood, about 40 minutes north of Everett, is a Snohomish County park on the water with a long pier and beach access. Open fires are sometimes permitted in designated areas. Check Snohomish County Parks for current rules and seasonal availability.
Mukilteo State Park, just down the hill from the ferry terminal, is a small beach park where fires are sometimes permitted at designated spots. It is very close to Timber & Tide, maybe 10 minutes by car, and on a clear evening the views across the Sound toward Whidbey are lovely. It is not a big park, so it fills up on summer evenings, but if you just want a low-key fire close to home base, it is hard to beat for convenience.
Possession Beach Waterfront Park on the south end of Whidbey Island is another option worth a look if you are already over on the island. It is a small county park with beach access and a picnic area.
What to Know Before You Build a Fire
A few practical things that save headaches:
- Check burn ban status first. Washington's burn ban system can restrict open fires on short notice. The Washington Department of Ecology updates the map regularly.
- Use designated fire rings when possible. Open driftwood fires on state park beaches are often not permitted even when burn bans are not in effect. Check the specific park rules.
- Bring your own firewood locally. Moving firewood long distances spreads invasive insects. Buy a bundle near where you are staying.
- Arrive early for a ring. At Jetty Island especially, unclaimed fire rings go fast once the sun starts dropping.
- Pack it in, pack it out. There are no trash cans at Jetty Island. Bring a garbage bag.
- Douse it completely. Drown the fire with water until the coals are cold. The "stir and drown" method is what the rangers recommend.
When Is the Best Time for a Beach Bonfire Near Everett?
Summer gets all the attention, and July and August evenings on Jetty Island really are something. But September is quietly the best bonfire month in this area. The crowds thin out, the light turns golden earlier, burn bans often lift after the first fall rains, and the air has that specific cool-but-not-cold feel that makes a fire feel like exactly the right idea.
Spring fires at Camano Island State Park are also underrated. April and May bring dramatic skies and almost no competition for fire pits. Bring layers. The Sound is cold and the wind picks up after dark, which honestly just makes the fire feel warmer.
For more ideas on timing a trip to the Everett area, our guide to things to do in Everett, WA breaks things down by season, and our perfect weekend in Everett itinerary shows how to stack a bonfire evening into a full two-day trip.
Plan Your Stay at Timber & Tide
Timber & Tide is a short-term vacation rental in Everett, a few minutes from the North Puget Sound waterfront. The Mukilteo ferry terminal is about 10 minutes away, Jetty Island's ferry dock is less than 15, and Camano Island is a comfortable 45-minute drive. You are genuinely well-positioned for any of the spots on this list.
Whether you are planning a long summer evening on Jetty Island or a Whidbey Island day trip that ends with a fire, Timber & Tide gives you a comfortable, easy home base to come back to. Check availability and book your stay at timber-tide.com. We would love to have you.