Barely one week after Vashon Watersports and King County Parks officials presented a plan to islanders that outlined the establishment of six primitive campsites at Maury Island Marine Park, the sites are open for reservations.

The campsites are available for $30 per night and can be accessed by hiking, biking or paddling in. No cars or fires are allowed, and all sites are pack-in, pack-out. No more than two tents and four people are allowed per site.

Vashon Watersports’ Doug and Erin Kieper said that the goal behind offering the campsites is to give tourists and local families a low-cost alternative to Vashon’s expensive lodging options. The sites also allow campers to witness nature and create an urge to preserve it, Doug Kieper previously told The Beachcomber.

At the county, Business Development and Partnerships Manager Jessica Emerson said that the sites can help fill the need for paddle-in sites in Puget Sound.

“There are few places in central Puget Sound where someone can kayak into a campsite and enjoy the region’s natural beauty,” she said in a news release. “Our goal is to provide people with access to Maury Island Marine Park, while protecting this location’s unique beauty and important ecological functions.”

The campsite is being operated as a pilot project this summer, after which King County Parks will determine the feasibility of a long-term agreement with Vashon Watersports to offer primitive camping at the park.

Campers can make reservations by calling Vashon Watersports at 463-9257 or visiting them online at vashonwatersports.com.