Twelve miles north of Marysville, Wenberg State Park (360/652-7417 or 888/226-7688, www.parks.wa.gov) on Lake Goodwin has a very popular swimming beach, fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout, waterskiing, a concession stand for fishing supplies and snacks, plus campsites ($9–14 for tents; $20 with hookups) on 46 acres. Open year-round. Get here early on summer weekends to find a space, or pay $7 extra to make reservations.

Covering 650 acres, Kayak Point County Park (425/388-6600, http://www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/departments/parks), approximately 15 miles west of Marysville on Marine View Drive, is home to a popular swimming beach, picnic area, and boat launch. Camp here year-round for $12 tents or $17 RVs. Yurts are available for $35. No showers, and the restrooms are closed in the winter months.

Year-round camping ($12 for tents; $17 for hookups) is available at River Meadows County Park (360/435-3441, http://www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/departments/parks) several miles east of town on the South Fork of the Stillaguamish River. Drive east on Highway 530 for 0.75 mile, turn right onto Arlington Heights, and continue two miles. Turn right on Jordan Road, and drive another three miles to the park. River Meadows Park offers enjoyable hiking trails, picnic grounds, and a mile of river shoreline for fishing. The surrounding area is filled with farms with all sorts of contented critters, from long-haired Scottish cattle to Peruvian horses. Lots of horses are pastured around here, and Byle’s Tit Farm (hey, I don’t name these places) makes a great place to pose for a comical photo.

Park RVs at Smokey Point RV Park (17019 28th Dr. NE, 360/652-7300 or 800/662-7275), Mystic Mountain (29909 Oso Loop Rd., 360/435-5888) or Camp Ki RV Resort (2904 Lakewood Rd., 360/652-0619).

Or motor to the Stanwood Fairgrounds (360/445-2806), where the Stanwood-Camano Community Fair is held in late July and early August. More RV parking can be had at Cedar Grove Resort & Campground (16529 Lake Goodwin Rd., 360/652-7083), south of town along Lake Goodwin, and Lake Goodwin Resort (4726 176th St. NW, 800/242-8169).