Jim Creek Naval Radio Station is obsolete, what a nice place for a recreation facility. We stayed at Jim Creek Recreation Area right on the Radio Station.
Next time I have to drive through Seattle, I think I would rather take a 100-mile detour.
This was top secret but now is obsolete. I can’t tell you much, but I can tell you that Jim Creek was named after a trapper who wandered into the area, never to be seen again.
Northeast of Seattle
In the mountains northeast of Seattle, the Navy built a very large antenna. It was 1953, well before the current method of using satellites to communicate to ships at sea. This antenna was a well guarded, top-secret navy base in the mountains, not anywhere close to the ocean. The installation is still regarded as sensitive. Photographs are not allowed – if they show anything other than trees. Photographs that may include the antenna are not allowed. I’m kind of surprised that we were allowed to camp there.

So here is a location, obsolete by current technology that was converted, slowly, with many limitations to recreation. I have to assume that had the Air Force been in the planning of the installation, recreation would have been part of the original design. Besides the campground and the community area, there is a group activity center, which supports ships stationed outside Seattle (closed to us campers) and if you drive out of the valley, still on the base, there is a nice lake, also meant to support the group activities.

This week was spent with our grandchildren camping. This was strange for us but nice for a change. We really enjoy seeing them. During the week, my daughter was moving from Seattle to Bellingham, Washington and our contribution to the move was to occupy the twins. I’m glad we were able to help. Lifting boxes is not part of my to-do list.
Here is the link to an article on authorized patrons: Who can stay at military campgrounds?
Here is a link to the google map for the area.
Link to our 2018 Route.
Link to our route Coos Bay to Jim Creek
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I enjoy following your adventures.
Great Adventure. Look forward to seeing you in the fall.