Snow Peak Campfield: Opening Weekend

Originally slated to open in the summer of 2023, then fall then winter 2023, Snow Peak's Campfield Long Beach opened to visitors for the first time this past weekend, and we were able to take a trip out for the first couple of nights.

The Gateway

We arrived Friday morning - check in wasn't until 3:00pm but we were antsy and figured we'd be able to kick it around Long Beach to kill some time if needed. Though, because it was their first full day of being open, and the first day of no rain all week, there was no problem with us getting started. 

The entryway to the Campfield starts at the Gatehouse, a large building that acts as the operational hub of the campground. For visitors, it's a little indoor space where you can check in and take a bio break. But where this space shines is acting as a visual barrier and gateway to the campground itself. Running alongside the building is a long tunnel, highlighted on one side with natural filtered sunlight - the brightness is immediately captured and contained by the shou-sugi-ban wood adorning the entirety of the buildings exterior. 

Following check in, you're given access to the carts to load up your gear. Simple in design,  they are similar to two-wheel wheelbarrows. This is because cars are not allowed past the parking lot, so every visitor is required to walk your their gear in. However, because one of Campfield's pedestrians road was closed at the time of visit, it lead to a 1/3rd mile walk (about 10 minutes) each way. While normally a small obstacle, we'd brought our typical Snow Peak Way setup - leading to about a 3 hour set up time from check in to that first moment of calm, a 2x increase our normal setup time for this type of load out. Staff were driving one of a few golf carts to take heavier loads, but even with that in mind it would be wise to plan extra time for setup, and maybe scrutinize your gear a little more than normally.

The Campfield Grounds

Once setup was complete, we started to walk around. Throughout the site are the four primary camping areas - only two were open to us as the others are still being finalized and having their grass bedded. This was a common theme, a lot of plants and plantings were still in their early growth phases and therefore were roped off either individually or as a swath of land. Our stay this time around was a tent site which was in the correct space. But the fully loaded and pre-setup tent suites, while available, were not in their permanent home.

When it came to the sites themselves, they're clearly marked with large signposts, but the boundaries are rather vague. As this is similar to what we've experienced at Japanese Campfields, I have to imagine it was intentional and as the grounds are work in and used a more natural dividing line will start to form. That said, others setting up needed a little guidance determining where they could or couldn't go. Based on the size of most sites, we found that at a Large size site, you can enjoy a tent + shelter like the Alpha Breeze and Takibi Tarp Hexa, or two tents like the Amenity Dome. If you have a larger sized group it is likely a good idea to get to joining sites so you can spread out.

Every site includes the following with your reservation,

• Takibi Large firepit (we couldn't confirm if the grill was available to use as well)
• Single Action Table
• Two Director chairs
• Pile Driver light pole

The Buildings:

Embedded in to the Campfield are a few buildings that support the experience. The largest and at the time most active one was without a doubt the cafe and camp store. Stunningly beautiful - and one of my favorite parts of the space (at least until the spa is open), we spent a lot of time enjoying the surroundings from the cafe.

The interior is divided in to three primary spaces, a smaller Snow Peak gear store, a camp store and a cafe/seating area. The Snow Peak store was very well stocked, though some items did seem to be missing, for example there were no legs of any size for the IGT. There was also no visible rental or borrowing program for those looking to try new gear or who may have forgotten something at home. However, the website does mention that this service will be available, and it may be coming in the future but wasn't ready for this soft opening.

Like all larger Snow Peak experiences and stores, there were unique items for sale. First was the standard Eco Cup with the Campfield Long Beach logo on it, as well as a Ti-Double Stacking H450 mug anodized to a soft seafoam green that is unique to this location. I hope to see more pieces soon including sporks, Sierra cups and coffee mugs like Japanese locations.

The Camp Store features exactly what one would find at a camp store. Bagged ice, firewood, kits for s'mores. But where it creates distinction and does so with a Snow Peak lens is the wide variety of local foods. Fresh bread from a bakery blocks away, various drinks and beers, snacks, even seasonings. They also carried essentials like soap or a toothbrush for those who forgot. However, the prices are not camp store prices. If you forget a toothbrush, generally your experience is to pick up a $2 option to get you by. The only toothbrush I saw was $16, and same goes for soaps/toothpaste etc. (4/28 Update: The Camp Store now carries more typical essentials and this is no longer an issue). 

The final piece of this building is the cafe, and it is simply lovely. We forgot coffee making gear, but the store was open at 8am with hot coffee. I ended up spending both mornings sitting on the Campfield Futons they have set up, reading a book and drinking as the sun came up over the marshlands. Transparently, I may just do this everytime as it was such a pleasant experience and it became a hub for other campers. Our final morning other groups came by and we chatted about gear, the site and ourselves as a communal moment.

However, if you’re expecting a true cafe you may be a little disappointed. I only drink black coffee, but if you prefer anything more complex than cream/sugar or tea you’ll find the options lacking. It does sound like they’ll be expanding drink options soon, but we didn't get a timeline on when that might be.

The final open building was the bathroom. With showers on the northside and toilets on the other, each is bordered by a lovely hallway filtering light and bookended on the east/west with sink stations. The water is hot, it is all incredibly clean and quite a bit nicer than my bathroom at home. Taking an early or late shower is a decent replacement for the Spa until it opens come June. While the sink stations are good for dishes, washing hands or filling up water, there is no cleaning of fish/shellfish in them.

A quick note on the Spa building, as that is what most people are curious about. We were lucky enough to get a private tour of the construction site. It was limited as they are concreting the pools this week, with lots of plastic sheeting everywhere. But, I see the potential. There’s a hot pool at 104 degrees for 25 people, a cold plunge 40 degree pool for 2 people, and a sauna for 15. The staff was eager to share that the sauna wood is temple grade hinoki from Japan, it is supposedly is quite the aromatic treat.

The Snow Peak Experience:

As I mentioned, the Tent Suites weren't in their final spots. Nonetheless, they looked to fit the bill. Everything you'd need for camping is included, just bring food, clothes and a sleeping bag. Dishes, Iron Grill Table Starter Kit, Single Action Table, Directors Chairs and much more including a Land Lock will be ready for you. We have reservations for one in April and will share more details once we've experienced it ourselves.

While Campfield is relatively close to town, about a 2 minute drive or 25 minute walk (Note: while I consider that walkable, it is on two rather busy roads, Snow Peak has said they're looking at options to build trails that are safer and more direct) you don’t feel it. It’s almost Disneyland-esque in that you enter through a tunnel at the gatehouse and are removed from most of the outside world. There is some road noise at times, but it wasn’t horrible and as fires begin to road and conversations kick off it is quickly drowned out by the sounds of the sea. Frogs ribbited at night which I found enjoyable, but if you're close to the water and don't appreciate those croaks you may want to bring ear plugs. 

Communal events happened both nights, while this was a little bit of an opening week experience, Fridays continue to offer Takibi time with a communal fire outside of the Camp Store. We enjoyed raw oysters, sake and beer while meeting with other campers. While there, they had the Rigel tent going as well, which was very cool to see as we won't actually be getting it in the states. People were hanging out in there chatting and enjoying some nice whiskey around the very warm fire. Unsurprisingly the staff was incredibly welcoming, warm and friendly. They answered mountains of questions from people and I saw a bit of note taking for suggestions.

We have a few more reservations for the year, and are excited to go back and see it evolve and grow. Since we’re relatively local, I'm also excited as summer continues to creep closer to head out for day trips, where we can enjoy the cafe in the morning, hit the spa and then head home. 

Campfield is an experiment. There's nothing else like this in America and the Pacific Northwest is a wonderful location to conduct that experiment. 

Gear List On This Trip:

Shelter: