Sleep In A Covered Wagon Near Deception Pass -- Scimitar Ridge Ranch Has Hikes, Horses, Singalongs

Horses, hayrides, cowboy sing-alongs, hikes and burned marshmallows.

There's lots to do at Scimitar Ridge Ranch, a new camping resort just north of Deception Pass. But the most exciting part, at least for the kids, was sleeping in the ranch's covered wagons.

The 7- by 14-foot covered wagons, nestled among the trees in this growing resort, make for an easy camping getaway.

Scimitar Ridge Ranch, south of Anacortes on Fidalgo Island, began as an equestrian center on a hilltop overlooking the San Juan Islands. In 1989, the Willette family, founders of the ranch and turn-of-the-century pioneers on the island, bought several adjacent properties, including an aging recreational-vehicle park, and decided to renovate.

Campground for RV or tent

So far they have a campground where you can bring your own RV or tent, or stay in the covered wagons. There's also a big barn, riding ring and horses to take on trail rides, plus pony rides for younger children.

There's an amphitheater with country-western music many weekends and a big campfire ring where Fidalgo Joe, a leather-chapped cowboy, strums guitar and tells ghost stories at sundown. There's a stagecoach and pony-climbing apparatus in a children's playground, a big pond full of frogs and an adults-only outdoor spa.

You can hike to a nearby lake and fish for trout, or drive less than 10 minutes to one of the Deception Pass beaches. It's also a quick trip to the Anacortes ferry landing, making day trips to the San Juans an option.

And don't miss the $3 hayride (truck-pulled) up the mountain to see Yellowstone Arena, the competition-sized equestrian center, a towering horse ring built of logs salvaged from Yellowstone Park after the fires a few years ago. The arena is used to train horses and host square-dance parties and competitions.

Cobblestone-faced lodge

Next to the arena is The Lodge at Scimitar, a cobblestone-faced bed-and-breakfast atop the park that is set to open next spring. Started as a 2,000-square-foot retirement home adjacent to the arena, it has grown to a 20,000-square-foot, four-suite bed-and-breakfast that also will be used for corporate retreats and small seminars.

Future plans at Scimitar include a recreation center with an indoor pool and country store and an array of rustic log cabins in the woods for those who disdain canvas.

"We'd like to become a year-round destination," says Greg Willette, who manages Scimitar Ridge Ranch for his family. "We think of the ranch as an oasis in the woods. We hope to concentrate the activities in the park and preserve the beautiful forests around us for everyone to enjoy."

More information

Scimitar Ridge Ranch, 527 Miller Road, Anacortes, WA 98221. Phone (800) 798-5355). Covered wagons rent for $30 a night for two people. RV sites with full hookup including cable TV are $25; primitive campsites are $20. It's $4 for additional adults, $2 for additional children at all of the sites.

Rates include one round of golf at nearby Similk Bay Golf Course, entertainment and sports activities.

Sundays through Thursdays, lodging prices are 20 percent off. Horse rides are $20 per hour; there are also $10 children's rides. Minimum age is 7. Sometimes there are pony rides for younger kids.