Indianola Camp and Retreat Center

★Armine Adamov

Unfortunately our experience was not so good. What was supposed to be 2 nights, turned into check in at 7 pm and leave at 1pm next day. No dinner on the day when you check in, so be prepared and bring food with you. The Nature is nice, but pretty much this is all you get - a beautiful view, which honestly I get just as good on the beaches of Kirkland, WA without a view of ferry going back and forth and shooting in the middle of the night. In the morning all parents from our school complained on one thing - bad sleep. From 9 to 10pm we were busy killing mosquitoes, and our girls were terrified of anything crawling on the wall. Hearing the shots fired around 12am, made me concerned, so I fell asleep around 12. After midnight, I woke up to a series of 7 more shots fired in the air. That's when I fully lost sleep and from 4am and up was looking out small window how ferries were going back and forth on the background of a half lit up city. I was as alert as if I had 4 shots of expresso. Beds had sliding mattresses. Put a sleeping bag on it, and you are sliding whole night. For that reason and the mosquitoes, my 9 year old kept following me from bed to bed, as all beds were twin size, and would not fit both of us. By the morning she was so disoriented and sleep deprived that looking at me, she said "Mommy did you rearrange furniture in this room." Rearranging beds would be impossible as bunk bed and twin bed were very close to each other. It was a very small room, big enough to sleep in, but not function. So killing mosquitoes on the top of the ceiling was a piece of cake. In the morning I looked at other rooms, and we had the best double room with exit to the patio with a view of the beach. Another problem, only one door was lockable, so second door I had to block with our luggage. Not only we had problem with sleep, by 5-6am many kids were up, running to the beach. We had breakfast, organized by 3 elderly women, that gave us instructions where to put dirty dishes and how to clean tables and floors after we finish with breakfast. This would give them more time to work on preparing lunch and dinner. Bathrooms were a little bit better than state parks, but one toilet still managed to clog up. Shower stall welcomed me with a big spider that I had to kill and skip shower. Spider webs were noticeable everywhere in this camp - rooms, bathroom. Kitchen dishwasher looked ancient. It took us parents 10 minutes to figure our how to operate it and it looked pretty disgusting inside, so I did not use any cups and dishes in the kitchen. Tea pot boiler was metal and microscopic, so most parents and kids drank lemonade and ate snacks. I relied heavily on food I brought from home and hot water in my thermos. Prior to leaving I saw a dissapointed face of a parent who just arrived and complained to me about her room, so I gave her our "penthouse" and she lit up like Christmas lights. When I warned her to be prepared on pissible shooting in the middle of the night, she said that a similar thing happened last year. On the ferry back home, I began feeling faity, as migraine kicked in triggered by weather change and sleep deprivation. I had no choice but to stay in the car. At home I loaded myself with meds but it was late, so next few days, I spent in bed dealing with migraine and mosquitoe bites and catching up on sleep. I know in 5-10 years we will laugh about this Wild Wild West experience, but today not so much. I did it for our othe this year graduating daughter, but it turned out not cost-time-health effective at all. If you are susceptible to migraines, have toddler, or a health care provider, as I am, I hope this review helps you to prepare and plan this trip better. You are on or near Indian Reservation so treat nature with respect. I think this camp is great for fun water activities but not staying overnight. I don't blame some parents, who gave up their rooms and instead slept outside in their own tents. I hope owners of camp consider renovating and improving living conditions gpt its visitors.

★★★★★ß Love

George & Anne McGalliard opened the camp in the early 1960’s. Lived in the Pan Abode log cabin until they retired in 1981. Evey rock wall was built by George. Our family had some of our best Thanksgiving, Christmas & Easter celebrations in the lodge. Their ashes were spread just below the first lookout. Remember them with love and admiration when enjoying this incredible camp.

★★★★★GR Lau

It's a beautiful venue for a retreat. There's a beautiful view of the Sound, Seattle and Mt Rainier.

★★★★★Marcia Wilson

The most accessible beachfront cabin I've ever seen. Ever. Bunk beds and comfortable, low day couches, full kitchen with...WORKING appliances..! Do you have a wheelchair, walker, or other challenges in getting around? No problem! Three-point safety bar for toilet and showers so you can take care of yourself without needing assistance, the showers work better than the Marriott, the kitchenette comes with a coffeemaker and a teakettle so there's no more fighting over the morning caffeine. The accessory hooks are set low so you can use them regardless of how tall you are (thanks!). The tapwater must be extra-filtered as it tastes great. No chlorine burn at all. Outside access to bathrooms, the lights all work, and on a chilly night the heat works like a charm. Enjoy the rustic touches like the clothesline, the occasional mousetrap, or the spider in the window--you ARE out in the middle of nature, hence the peace and quiet. If the amazing beachfront isn't for you, the woods are lovely, dark and deep and they're working on the trails. My standards are now impossibly raised. Come for the peace and quiet, stay for the award-winning photo opportunities.

★★★★★Evan Maxim

Great camp. Classic old-style overnight camp facilities that are clean and fun for kids and families. Faces south southwest across Puget Sound towards Seattle.