Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center

Lights of Christmas… this will most likely become an annual tradition for us as our first visit was very nice. Despite the steady rain everyone was friendly and helpful and in great spirits. We spent the night at the Deer Mountain Lodge with our 9 and 5 year old grand kids. As long as you don’t mind sharing a bathroom… the beds are comfy and the lodge and rooms nicely decorated for the season. There is a sink in the room but not much else except beds and a desk. Buffet breakfast, room and entry to the Lights of Christmas were all included and it was a great deal. The room was cozy and breakfast was awesome. Lots of things for the kids to enjoy like making ornaments and necklaces, pony rides, a (pretty lame) petting zoo, talking Christmas tree, train ride, light maze, etc. The only thing we would have done differently is skip the train ride… standing in line for 45 minutes in the rain to ridge through the same lights you can walk through was pretty much a waste of time. even though the kids liked it. Possibly due to the steady and sometimes heavy rain, the crowds were not bad — there were plenty of food options although if it had been more crowded I can see how things could get kinda packed. By staying the night we were able to park in reserved spots a distance from the Lights, but there were plenty of golf carts ferrying overnight guests back and forth. We will be back again in 2016.

Love going here for the lights of Christmas. Food and atmosphere are fantastic! We will no coming every year.

This is a review for the Lights of Christmas. You better wanna go really bad. It took us 1hr and 45 min to get from Stanwood to the venue. We almost gave up a couple of times but just pushed on. Once you are inside the lights are really beautiful but it is packed. Fat chance you are gonna get a cup of coffee or get to see any of the attractions unless you want to wait in an insane line. It was fun but I really never need to do it again. I much prefer the Garden D’Lights in Bellevue. It’s much less congested and I like the light display better — more artistic and beautiful.

I’ve only been here during the winter for their Christmas lights, but the fact that they’d turn their retreat center into a huge money making machine during the winter is genius and proves they know how to run a business well. The Christmas lights is huge and perfect for kids: a petting zoo, horse rides, a light maze, train ride, and food like donuts and hot chocolate. It’s beautiful so the adults are kept entertained.

This was our 8^th year attending The Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach and I wouldn’t change a thing!
This year started a bit rough because we came on December 13^th, the same night that the other horrible reviews were written about. After 8 years of attending, that’s the first time anything like that has happened! And it wasn’t even their fault, it was the local police that had it all messed up! As soon as they left, the Warm Beach staff went back to what they do best, graciously and warmly handling the crowds!
We come every year as it really puts everything in perspective for the holidays! The lights are absolutely amazing to wander around and look up at and admire and think about replicating but of course never will! There is entertainment all over the place, toys to make, ornaments to decorate, animals to pet, horses to ride, a train for traveling on and food galore! When we first started coming there were no outside vendors but now there are plenty so the lines aren’t too bad. There’s just so much to see and do and discoveries to make that going every year never gets old.
We always stay overnight and we’ve stayed in nearly every accommodation they have. It’s been the most fun to stay in the Bunk Houses because we get to invite so many of our friends to enjoy the experience with us. It sleeps 33 people so it’s perfect for large groups. The hotel style rooms are super big with plenty of room for a family of 5 and the Kringle Cottage is perfect for and overflowing family of 5 – 8! All rooms are sweetly decorated for Christmas and there are usually coloring books or games for the kids.
As for the wait to enter the park on a crowded night… well, that’s about standard for anything isn’t it? Any great event has traffic issues and this event is no different. I very highly recommend a visit to the Lights of Christmas and if there’s a wait because it’s a bit crowded, just turn up the Christmas music on the car radio and sing along, it’s definitely worth the wait!

This is my families experience with The Lights of Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Spent at least 45 — 60 minutes in a line of traffic that was either at a stand still or crawling, before finally entering the parking lot at entrance to event. SUGGESTION — find an alternate route of getting to the event that is different from what most people’s GPS devices will tell them.
We knew the admission price was $ 15.00/adult before leaving for the event; but after waiting in traffic and visiting the event, it really didn’t seem worth the effort to get there. On top of that, there was a tent just inside the event entrance called The Night Before Christmas 3D that was an additional $ 3.00/adult to enter. Really! We did not elect to pay more after what we had been through already just to get there. Apparently others had similar feelings because we saw nobody waiting to see it.
The entertainment we listened to in the Joyland Concert Hall was okay, but again, didn’t feel it justified the traffic mess getting there. By the time we actually made it through the admission gates, there wasn’t enough time to take in all the light displays, plus sit through an entertainment venu. We chose to mainly stroll and see the lights.
The light displays were nice, and the warm spiced nuts were great! That said, we all agreed we wish we had spent the valuable family time together doing something somewhere else.
Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center needs to CLEARLY INFORM THE PUBLIC in ALL their Lights of Christmas advertising campaigns, about what visitors might encounter on their drive to the event. Be it radio or some other form of advertising. Inform people of the fact it MIGHT BE BETTER TO VISIT DURING A WEEKNIGHT. Perhaps the Lights of Christmas has outgrown it’s current britches (so to speak), and should stop advertising the event until solutions to the traffic problems are found.
It is highly unlikely that me and my family will ever return to this event.

Awesomely beautiful!!! The only bad thig is I wish they would put some benches or logs or anything to sit on out on the maze of paths that snake through the display perhaps at the fire pits as well. There are benches near some buildings but far to few of them.

Overall, camping at Warm Beach’s campground has been a wonderful experience.
PROS:
— Water, electricity, and restrooms are easily accessible from many areas of the camp.
— The rock climbing tower challenge for $ 10/​person was exciting and the trainers are very friendly and helpful with beginners.
— The horseback-​riding was a steal; $ 18/​person for riding 1 – 1.5 hours
— Many other activities: great for biking, swimming, canoeing
— Short drive to Kayak Point is good spot for crabbing
CONS:
— The showers in the restrooms are uncontrollable, constantly switching between hot and cold =_=

I had a really good time here as a child at the camp. However, I do remember the showers not being equipped to handle the hundreds of us children. the water went cold pretty quick. But, this was like 15 years ago, so I’m not sure how it is now. haha.

Review for The Lights of Christmas.
Been here twice for the lights show. First time I paid $ 15 per person for entrance (I think it was $ 10.00 for a senior). I found it terribly overpriced, very expensive for a family. I don’t think it is something we will do every year.
Second time I visited on a «Pay What You Can» night, which was a little more reasonable, because essentially you give a donation.
I am basing this review on the night that I paid full price, since I believe it was less crowded. Nevertheless, the Lights of Christmas has gained tremendous popularity in recent years and is going to be crowded any night that you go.
Pros:
— Secured, lots of traffic controllers, police, etc.
— Wonderfully kind volunteers and workers.
— Lots of excitement for kids, whether you do the «extras’ or not.
Cons:
— Even though it is close to home for me, I realize the drive is longer for most folks, and the traffic back-​up is terrible, just to get in the gate. Parking is a pain. Took 30 minutes to drive the last 2 blocks on Marine Drive and get into the parking lot.
— Horribly long wait lines to do the extras: ride the ponies, ride the train, buy donuts, etc.
Last suggestion: wear lots of layered clothes, bring gloves, scarves, hats, etc. It is going to be cold. It’s at night, it’s in the winter, and you’re walking around down by the bay. It’s very cold and breezy.

This review is for The Lights of Christmas. Wow, really awesome holiday fun. My husband was very grumpy about the two hour drive out here, but once we arrived he turned that frown upside down :)
Very well organized with parking and information. There is so much to do here. My girls lived talking to Bruce the Spruce, getting their faces painted, and the train ride. My youngest enjoyed the pony rides, sadly my 9 year old was too tall and she was bummed.
They offer a lot of fair style foods. The light display is pretty cool. There is so much to look at. Definitely worth the trip.

The Christmas Lights are awesome and the festivities are great. If you go, just after Christmas is far less hectic which makes for a way better experience with kiddos.
We stayed at the hotel because we thought there was more outside of the Christmas Lights to do bit there really isn’t. I would recommend driving up for the day or staying in a hotel in town 3 miles away… WAY cheaper and better rooms.
Once you are there you’re basically captive for the event which ends at 10 sonic you want a night out in the town afterwards you’re stuck because you have to park inside the grounds and can’t get back in after quite hours of 11PM.
TIPS:
— Get the donuts.
— Get there early for the Polar Express train or stay late… The line is more bearable.
— if you want coffee get it from town before you arrive or wait until you leave.
— Food is pretty good and reasonably priced so you don’t have to leave for that.
— DO NOT stay at the hotel.

The lights are fabulous. I attended with my daughter and mother-​in-​law. Lots of stuff for kids like pony rides, talking tree, train rides etc. We attended the dessert theater as well and it was… weird. Very amateur and silly. We left at intermission so maybe it got better 2^nd half. The people were friendly and I would recommend the lights, but my experience with the theater was a no go.

This review is about the Lights Of Christmas show that is held here during December. This year was my family’s first year of going. For the past couple years I had heard so many people raving about the awesomeness of this event so we checked out their website and saw that there are a couple days where they have a «pay what you want» night. Being it’s the holiday season we are a bit strapped for cash, so we decided to go on one of those nights and it also happened to be opening night. We live in Bellingham so it took close to an hour to reach our destination. When we got there the folks doing parking patrol seemed to really not have their acts together. We had parked in a spot near the front and got out and situated. The parking staff was looking at us and then when we started to walk away they shouted that we couldn’t park our vehicle there and that we needed to go to the designated parking areas… ok where is that? Anywho, we finally found a parking spot but another parking attendant was rude and short with us when asking where to go to enter the event. By this point my family and I were getting very irritated. When we got to the gate the staff that greeted us here was very friendly and accomidating.
The event is a true feast for the eyes. Stuff to see everywhere and a lot to take in all at once. My 4 year old got to meet Santa and tell him what she wanted for Christmas. We got to go on a mini train ride (which lasts for all of 3 minutes) check out a petting zoo and my daughter got to go on a small horse ride. There are many food vendors here and they do charge county fair prices so bring a decent amount of cash if your hungry. We decided to eat dinner before coming to the event. We did try the famous mini-​donuts. $ 3 for a small bag. They were good but certainly not worth anyone waiting for a half hour or more from the stories we had heard.
All in all we really enjoyed this event and will likely come back next year but we felt that the prices they ask at the door ($ 15 a person,$ 10 for children) is steep. I advise going on a «pay what you can» night. We paid $ 15 for our family and felt it was more than fair.

I have been to the Lights Of Christmas held here at least 3 times as an adult and I’m pretty sure that I went as a child as well.
First of all, the LOC are extremely well done and beautiful. The amount of work that must go into the whole thing has to be nuts. The staff is helpful and there are lots of them around. I tend to get lost pretty easy since its so dark so lots of people around to ask for help is really nice.
There are numerous buildings scattered around that have food, activities, crafts, performances, and even pony and train (actually a tractor) rides. Bonfires are in most of the larger areas and very handy to warm up at as every single time I’ve gone its been QUITE cold. Last night it was 15 degrees and personally I found that to be far too cold, especially if you have little ones! We bought an elephant ear and by the time I made it back to my group (5 minutes or so) it had frozen! I would not come unless the temps would be in the 30’s or higher. Otherwise its too uncomfortable for the kids (and me). Just my .02.
The last two times we ate the Tinhorn Town food area. Its communal seating (and pretty tightly packed) and you order and then pick up your food. They have basic food offerings (bbq ribs, hot dogs, clam chowder, mashed potatoes & gravy and a few other random things) which are NOT worth your money, I’m afraid. I cannot vouch for the other indoor restaurant eating as their menus may be different. There are food trailers outside that serve pizza (wood fired… an actual wood burning oven in the food trailer!), crepes, hot dogs, and kettle corn, fresh doughnuts, elephant ears, and other items and I would suggest these if you can bear eating while you walk or its not so cold that you’ll freeze eating outside.
There are lines for everything so just be prepared. The staff does a great job at keeping folks moving but sometimes there are just a lot of people! The environment naturally puts people in a jovial mood so its usually not a pain to wait a few minutes for the train or fresh made doughnuts.
We got a deal through the Herald for half-​price tickets and that was great. $ 15 a person is a little high for us but those with older kids would find it worth that price.

One of my favorite activities at Warm Beach Camp is the High Ropes Course and Zipline. They have a «high ropes circuit» with excellent facilitators that are both encouraging and highly trained (safety first). There are two zip lines and even a climbing tower. In the «canyon» which is a hike from the High Ropes Circuit there are some challenging and exciting high elements — 1) Climb a 35 foot tree to a platform and jump off trying to grab a trapeze. 2) Get pulled 35′ up and when you are ready «pull the cord» you get launched on the swing over an 85′ canyon 3) much much more.
For all the high activities I was secured in a harness, helmet and given a safety briefing. There are also many low «elements» — these challenges don’t require a rope or harness. Doing any number of these activities is an challenging and productive way to spend the day with co-​workers. We learned new ways of understanding and communicating. some of the «quiet ones» in our group actually had a lot to contribute.
Since I participated in the challenge course, I’ve learned about the difference between recreation in a high ropes setting and actually learning and growing in that setting. WB is about the latter in my opinion.
I don’t know how much it costs per group but I think the high ropes circuit is about $ 15 per person for a couple hours. For me that was plenty of time to play, learn and I was spent afterward. There’s something for everyone and regardless of fitness level there are activities that most anyone can participate in.
Since I wrote this review I learned that pricing really depends on the groups needs. I think WB offers a sliding scale. Its definitely worth checking out for team building purposes.

My son has gone to this camp for several years now. It is a weeklong camp with a Christian focus, and lots of fun. My son is now a teen and has been to several different camps — this is the one he always wants to return to. He says the food is great, and he has a good time there. This camp is very well priced — significantly less cost than the YMCA camps. Also, last year, my son got seriously ill and was hospitalized for several weeks during the summer. We’d signed him up for camp, and we thought he would be well enough to go. We wanted him to go since he’d spent so much time in the hospital — what a bummer summer! At the last minute, he decided he was just too weak to go, and the camp was SO gracious about refunding our money, even though we gave no notice of cancellation and their policy says that they won’t do that. They were very understanding of why we’d waited to cancel, and the woman who helped me just wished us well and said she hoped my son would recover and that they’d see him next year. I am such a FAN! How lovely that it wasn’t all about the money — that there was flexibility and understanding for complicated situations. I highly recommend these people and this camp.

This is a really neat Christmas holiday destination. I think you’ll agree that the admittance fee of $ 15 for adults is quite fair and reasonable. You’ll receive a map when you enter. The Christmas light displays along the paths are amazingly beautiful. There are nightly activities and entertainment, places to shop for neat gifts and places to buy food. There are places to pet livestock. There’s «Bruce the Spruce» the talking Christmas tree. There are bon fires around the campground to keep you warm. Regardless of religious or non-​religious affiliation, you’ll find the experience beautiful and relaxing (especially if you go during the week). Weekends expect long traffic queues and lots of people.
I just learned they’re on Facebook and Twitter.

We went up here this past weekend and I was really happy with the whole thing. The parking lot wasn’t that crowded and walking around the place was pretty easy. We checked out the arts and crafts and they keep it old school which is different to see nowadays (for instance making wooden toys and things like that).
It cost us $ 15/​adult and I would say its a pretty fair price considering how much time it takes going through all of the displays.
I will say that Zoolights has it beat as far as the light displays, they are more detailed and professionally done there, but Warm Beach has more lights in general and from my experience it was way less crowded. I do suggest checking this place out, I felt it is worth the hour long trek from Seattle.

Went to the Lights of Christmas event here just after Xmas… didn’t realize ahead of time that this place is a Christian campground, but it ended not being a crazy evangelical fiesta. Lots of cool lots, plenty of food, overnight accommodations if so desired… kids definitely had fun… only weird experience was the story telling for kids… The story teller was doing a pretty good job recounting the Christmas Apple, but then at the very end he practically had
a coronary, he almost started crying… bizarre behavior for story
time ostensibly for kids, but
he was obviously one of the
really spiritual types… otherwise great experience