Award-winning family campground — just a short ferry ride from
Seattle.
Family Owned & Operated40+ Years of WelcomeDogs Welcome
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“AYH Ranch is Seattle's best kept secret!”
5-Star Guest Review · Vashon Island, WA
"We have owned the ranch since 1971. This isn't a business to
us — it's a life's work, a living piece of Vashon Island we hope to share for years to come."
The Story
Five decades, one family.
The hostel office, 1980sThe Log Cabin, hand-built on siteThe Big Red BarnThe meadow, today
1971
The Land is Purchased
The family purchases the property on Vashon
Island — a quiet, wooded piece of Puget Sound just 25 minutes from Seattle. A ranch takes root.
1982
Judy Opens the Hostel
Judy creates the American Youth Hostel at the
ranch, welcoming travelers, backpackers, and wanderers from around the world under a western sky.
1986
The Log Cabin is Built
Hand-hewn from trees felled right on the
property, the lodge is raised over one long summer. Three bedrooms, three baths, full kitchen — still
standing today.
1994
The Big Red Barn Goes Up
The barn becomes the heart of the ranch —
murals by artist William Forrester watch over a pool table, full kitchen, TV lounge, foosball, and event
space.
2008
The Ranch Reinvents Itself
After more than three decades as an American
Youth Hostel, the ranch shifts its focus to camping and lodging for the public. The AYH name sticks around,
and hostellers are always welcome.
2023
Voted Best in the PNW
Seattle Times readers vote AYH Ranch Best
Campground in the Pacific Northwest — The People's Choice — four decades of showing up for every guest.
On-Site
Everything you need, nothing you
don't.
Group Fire Pits
Multiple fire pit areas across the grounds. Gather every night around a real campfire under the stars.
Hot Showers
Clean, hot showers inside the barn building — consistently called out as a standout feature by guests.
Potable Water
Fresh drinking water throughout the grounds. Stay hydrated without a run to town.
Free Ice
Complimentary ice for all guests. Keep your cooler cold all weekend.
TV Lounge
Comfortable lounge with TV in the barn — perfect for a rainy Puget Sound evening.
Barn Work Loft
A quiet workspace up on the top floor of the Big Red Barn. Power outlets, plenty of natural light and
comfortable seating, so you can catch up on work or post up for the afternoon.
Pool Table
Full-size pool table in the Big Red Barn. Grab a cue and challenge your campmates.
Foosball
Because the fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down. Barn games for everyone.
Grass Volleyball
A volleyball court set up right on the lawn. Grab a team, pick a side and play till the sun drops.
Full Shared Kitchens
Communal kitchens stocked with appliances, utensils, and spices. Cook real meals at camp.
Fisher Pond Trail
A hiking trail starts right on the property and winds around Fisher Pond. Lace up and go.
For over forty years, Judy has been the soul of this place. Guests
mention her by name — her warmth, her attentiveness, her way of making a stranger feel like they've
come home.
She created the hostel in 1982, opened the gates to backpackers and
cyclists and families with nowhere else to go on the island. She built a place where the point was
people.
The name changed. The hostel affiliation came and went. Judy and
her sons haven't.
40+Years hosting
1971Family owned since
#1PNW Campground
Just a short ferry ride from Seattle and Tacoma —
Vashon Island is a 25-minute crossing into a different world. AYH Ranch has been waiting at the other end for
over four decades.
Take the Washington State Ferry from Fauntleroy in West Seattle or Point Defiance in Tacoma. The ride is
about 20–25 minutes. No reservations needed for walk-ons. AYH Ranch is a short drive from the ferry
landing.
Yes! Dogs and pets are welcome. There is a $10 per pet per night fee — no exceptions.
Please keep pets leashed and clean up after them.
Yes — WiFi is available throughout the grounds. Connect and stay in touch, or use it as an excuse to
explore Vashon Island.
All guests have access to the barn amenities — hot showers, full shared kitchen, pool table, foosball, TV
lounge, and free ice. Camping and tenting is 1 person per site. Cabins and teepees include 2 people;
additional guests are charged per person rates.
Yes! A private smokeless fire pit at your campsite with wood provided is available as an add-on for
$20. Extra wood bundles are $10. Group fire pits are also available across the grounds.
Yes — the Big Red Barn, cabin, and full grounds are available for private events, weddings, and group
gatherings. Weddings and private events are $15,000 for 12 PM–12 PM 48-hour access. Red Barn rental is $450
from 12 PM–6 PM or $750 from 12 PM–12 AM.
AYH Ranch is open May 1 through September 30 each year. Reservations are required —
walk-ins are subject to availability.
Good to Know
Campground Policies
AYH Ranch reserves the right to refuse or remove any guest
not in compliance with our rules.
Private Room Cancellation
$10 per room per night cancellation fee applies to private
room bookings.
Weekends & Holidays
Weekend, 3–4 day holiday weekend, and Strawberry Festival
reservations require 30 days notice to move or adjust.
Monday – Thursday
Weekday reservations require 48 hours notice
to move or adjust with no charge.
Cancellations Within 30 Days
Cancellations within 30 days of your reservation date will be
charged $20 per day. No-shows are charged the full price.
Groups — Mon–Thu
50% non-refundable deposit for Monday through
Thursday group bookings.
Groups — Weekends & Holidays
Weekend and holiday group reservations are
non-refundable.
AYH Ranch is committed to providing an inclusive website experience for guests and visitors with disabilities. We work to make the information, navigation, and booking paths on this site usable with keyboards, screen readers, zoom, and other assistive technologies.
Accessibility target
We use the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA as our accessibility target and review the site as content and technology change.
Measures we take
Provide text alternatives for meaningful images and clear labels for interactive controls.
Support keyboard navigation and visible keyboard focus.
Use semantic page structure and responsive layouts.
Respect reduced-motion preferences where possible.
Review content and updates for readability and accessibility.
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Some booking, video, map, social, or lodging services linked from or displayed on this site are operated by third parties. We work to choose accessible services, but their accessibility is controlled by those providers.
Need assistance?
If you have difficulty using this website, need information in another format, or need help making a reservation, contact AYH Ranch at (206) 418-8788 or ayhranch@gmail.com. Please describe the page or feature you were trying to use, and we will work with you to provide access or an alternative way to complete the same task.
Privacy Notice
Effective: September 7, 2026
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