Come experience the AYH Ranch - Vashon Island's only legal campground for over 30 years! We are no longer a hostel, but we are proud to continue serving Vashon and Seattle as a seasonal campground. The ranch provides a rustic, western themed camping experience with a variety of fire-pit teepees, teepees, and plenty of tent camping sites available.
We also rent our main house and our large log cabin, perfect for groups of any size looking to get away - all on our idyllic grounds on historic Vashon Island. This unique western campground is conveniently located just 25 minutes from Seattle and Tacoma, on the Puget Sound, right in the heart of the pacific Northwest.
We also rent our main house and our large log cabin, perfect for groups of any size looking to get away - all on our idyllic grounds on historic Vashon Island. This unique western campground is conveniently located just 25 minutes from Seattle and Tacoma, on the Puget Sound, right in the heart of the pacific Northwest.
Services
We have owned the ranch since 1971 and Judy created the hostel in 1982. We purchased the old 51 Chevy truck when we bought the land to help us work the ranch. It is still running and hauling garbage to the dump, gravel, debris and has become a major player in the maintenance of the ranch. While it is now 63 years old, Judy has passed a milestone of 70 and both are still very involved in all aspects of the campground.
AYH Ranch Campground is conveniently located near Seattle and Tacoma, on scenic Vashon Island. The island is serviced by direct car ferry connections to Point Defiance in Tacoma, West Seattle, and Southworth. There is also weekday foot ferry service directly to Downtown Seattle.
Vashon Island has public transit available through King County Metro, there are fixed stops, however on Vashon you may flag the bus down for pickup or request drop-off anywhere along the route.The bus does not service SW Cove Rd directly. There are two ferry terminals on Vashon Island.
Vashon Island has public transit available through King County Metro, there are fixed stops, however on Vashon you may flag the bus down for pickup or request drop-off anywhere along the route.The bus does not service SW Cove Rd directly. There are two ferry terminals on Vashon Island.
Fun for the whole gang awaits on Vashon Island, Washington in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Catch a game, spend a day on the water, or check out one of the many upcoming events and festivals in the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area. Located a short ferry ride from Seattle, Tacoma, or Sourthworth there is always something going on in the neighborhood.
Reviews (18)
Nate Rey
Sep 21, 2021
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Giavanna Reyna
Sep 05, 2021
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Janine R.
Jul 04, 2021
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Loved the 3 nights we stayed here on Vashon! Judy was welcoming and we parked our converted van in a pasture under tall trees. Our dog was in heaven! Even though we are self-sustaining, we loved the large bathhouse, warm showers and outfitted industrial kitchen. Birds and wildlife all around and lovely hiking trails next to property, including a small pond. Close to downtown and local beaches and parks. Bugs not an issue. Special place! Would be great for larger family gatherings.
Lynne Studer
May 22, 2021
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Cherie Michelle
May 14, 2021
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This place is amazing! It isn’t like a regular campground where you feel like you are on top of your neighbor camper. The field is open, beautiful and feels like you are staying on your favorite ranch! The cabins look beautiful (we are tent camping), the grounds are kept up well, lots of area to explore and the bathrooms are clean, spacious and easily accessible wherever you choose to camp. 10/10 would recommend to everyone! It definitely helps that Judy was so kind and welcoming when I called her as well. We will be back many, many times!
Heather Mercier
Dec 29, 2018
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This place is really beautiful, peaceful, and quiet. I slept quite well in my tent under the stars. Don't be spooked by the deer who come at night to graze the field. I called last minute for a reservation and it was not a problem, the host was accommodating. The bathrooms are nice and clean. It was an easy getaway from the hustle and noise of the city. I hope to visit again soon!
Robin Friedrich
Dec 03, 2017
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It is wonderful, she gave me a discounted rate without asking( since I came for an educational trip) and even upgraded me to a better suite without up charge. Lovely deco and they have their own hiking trails right on the property! I LOVED staying there. A lot of room and it is quiet and beautiful!!! Thank you, when I come back to Vashon I will book again.
Will S.
Oct 26, 2017
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Wonderful experience. My girlfriend loved it and it is one of our most cherished memories. Great location it's right by fisher pond and close to downtown Vashon. Very comfortable, we stayed in the lavender duck and the room was very clean and nice and the ranch was such a wonderful place.. Excellent service too I can't wait to go back.
Charles Simonds
Oct 25, 2016
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Spiro G.
Sep 06, 2016
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I went there as part of a meetup group camping trip over labor day weekend, about 13 of us there. The property consists of several tepees randomly scattered in a big log-fenced meadow. There are two building that provide bathrooms with showers, a full kitchen with cookware and dishware and a lounge with a pool table, couches and tables. Outside there is a common fire pit with metal chairs, a little well maintained trail in the back leading to a pond, and a tiny BBQ grill that's falling apart and hadn't been cleaned in ages. You will also see deer visiting at night, roosters and other
Vivian Dantche Eagle Log Cabins
Sep 06, 2016
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Saul O.
Jul 29, 2011
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I went to that camping grounds a few weeks ago with my girlfriend, her sister, and my girlfriends cousins.
the place was really clean and cool.
There were some things that we didnt like.
-The guy told us we could have unlimited wood for our fire. After the the first small wagon of wood he said he was going to charge us $10 for about 4 small pieces of wood.
-We asked for some assistance for putting up our tent both guys that helped us were drinking and smoking in front of us. Which we did not like that one bit.
-The most unprofessional and inmature about the guys there was that they actually
the place was really clean and cool.
There were some things that we didnt like.
-The guy told us we could have unlimited wood for our fire. After the the first small wagon of wood he said he was going to charge us $10 for about 4 small pieces of wood.
-We asked for some assistance for putting up our tent both guys that helped us were drinking and smoking in front of us. Which we did not like that one bit.
-The most unprofessional and inmature about the guys there was that they actually
Kate S.
Jul 19, 2011
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I came here a few weekends ago with a bunch of friends from Seattle for a one night stay. It was a short ferry ride and subsequent car drive to the location, where we rented 3 super cool teepee's. The spaces were all very clean and cute and the several bathrooms and community kitchen were very clean and in good shape. The staff were friendly and left us be, which was wonderful. There are many trails to walk around the site, and a really cool lake full of lily pads along the way. I came with 8 other friends and a lot of booze, but this place is also very family friendly... so if you're
Melissa T.
Jun 14, 2011
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Beautiful property but beware of the scary lady who owns the place!
I went camping here with my family, all adults between the ages of 21 and 52. When we got there, we were told but the really nice guy at the office that since it was off season (beginning of May) so we could ignore the signs telling us to park in the lot and just drive down to our site which was at the far end. We rented three tepees but when I went to pay, the price the guy charged me was going to be much higher that the price I had seen on the website. I explained this to him and he told me that he was sorry but that it
I went camping here with my family, all adults between the ages of 21 and 52. When we got there, we were told but the really nice guy at the office that since it was off season (beginning of May) so we could ignore the signs telling us to park in the lot and just drive down to our site which was at the far end. We rented three tepees but when I went to pay, the price the guy charged me was going to be much higher that the price I had seen on the website. I explained this to him and he told me that he was sorry but that it
Jay S.
Oct 24, 2010
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We stayed here last night during our brief stay on Vashon island. The place was clean, the showers hot and the location pretty perfect about 3min from "town".
What made the place though was "Jake" at the front desk who stayed up to wait for us to arrive around 9:30 and was incredibly accomodating offering to shuttle us whenever we needed it.
I can't really comment on the rooms as we stayed in our RV. While i appreciate their extreme flexibility in inviting us to stay there, the truth is they're not really set up for RV's. In fact, we felt really bad as we
What made the place though was "Jake" at the front desk who stayed up to wait for us to arrive around 9:30 and was incredibly accomodating offering to shuttle us whenever we needed it.
I can't really comment on the rooms as we stayed in our RV. While i appreciate their extreme flexibility in inviting us to stay there, the truth is they're not really set up for RV's. In fact, we felt really bad as we
Jules M.
May 05, 2010
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We stayed here one night in August of 2009 before another event on the island. I certainly liked it and we enjoyed staying in the teepee even if the area was experiencing a heatwave in the 100's. The kitchen options for prepping your own food was nice. Places to hang out and read or play games were abundant. I will say the vibe was weird. I think that had to do with the staff. I understand the place is for sale but the woman on staff and her kids were putting out the strange.....her kids were a bit of a challenge for us, in our space, upsetting the other guests, accusations of stealing
Tori J.
Oct 19, 2008
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I have been here not over night but for events, and everyone is super helpful and professional. One thing is that some people did complain about weird noises like an animal eating another animal pretty close to their covered wagon.
There is also some guy who had surgically pointed teeth who hangs around there.
...
But other than that.
There is also some guy who had surgically pointed teeth who hangs around there.
...
But other than that.
Marie B.
Apr 05, 2006
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How cool is this? During warmer months (tourist season) there are teepees, a covered wagon, and a log cabin for lodging. The log cabin is year-round. Log cabin has private rooms and dorm style rooms (bunk beds). Free pancake breakfast.
There's so many more amenities to mention - but only so much room here. Starting at under $20 for a night's lodging, how can this be beat?!
This place will bring a smile to your face!
There's so many more amenities to mention - but only so much room here. Starting at under $20 for a night's lodging, how can this be beat?!
This place will bring a smile to your face!