You can go boating and fishing in the ocean beside this campground, or in one of the three lakes in the park too. South Whidbey State Park Old Growth Forest is a quick 2.2-mile hike through the forest of old-growth cedar and large old Douglas fir trees. South Whidbey State Park is open for day use only. Be careful while doing so of course. Shellfish are prized resources of the Puget Sound, the cool, clean waters provide some of the finest shellfish habitat in the world. Concrete platforms mark the gun locations. The sites are quite spacious and private, but this is a popular campground and state park, so it can get busy. West Whidbey Island Butter Clams and Varnish Clams Saratoga Passage and Possession Sound, including Utsalady Bay, Penn Cove and Holmes Harbor . Come taste world famous mussels and learn how they are grown on a farm tour. To truly appreciate the beauty of nature while here, make sure to book one of these glamping spots for your stay! Somebody 16 years or older must be with the fire at all times. Well we know this area well, and so want to share with you everything we know about the island. Washington state has serious problems with wildfires and often issues bans on any type of recreational fires, including campfires. It has some of the best views in the state. Lone, Deer, Goss, Cranberry and Pass lakes are all stocked annually. Its a showcase of local artists, including painters, musicians, dancers, and street performers. Hidden Beach is a public beach that has incredible views far out into the ocean. The best time to dig for clams is during the low tide. 1. Whidbey Island has a number of festivals where you can enjoy the local flavors, art, music, and natural beauty of this place. One of my favorite things about Whidbey Island is our huge selection of State and local parks. Here's a sample of the class taught by beach watcher Gene Thrasher. It's a 45-minute cruise with a tour guide that tells you more than you ever knew about . Youll be taken 300 feet high on top of the bluffs to see fantastic views back down onto the rocky beaches. Clams can be found in many different places along the Washington coast. From exciting outdoor activities to laid-back strolling through the downtown or the beaches, there is something for every traveler. You cant get any fresher than the mussels served on the island. Even if its the summer months, its always a good idea to check tide tables before sailing out to sea. Available for a limited time only. Last minute booking. So read on to begin your Whidbey Island camping adventure! Lagoon Point has a public beach that is also known locally as a great viewing area for whales. Staying at Fort Casey Historical State Park means youll be spending much of your time in the park exploring nature and experiencing all the history there. We pride ourselves on the quality of wild-caught America seafood we source and provide to our customers. Holmes Harbor was closed to shellfish harvesting in March 2007 with the formation of the Holmes Harbor Shellfish Protection District. Seawall Park is located just below Langley, and you can watch whales pass by there. DNR-142 (Whidbey Island) Clam, mussel, and oyster seasons CLOSED for harvest year-round. Not much is known about shellfish resources on this beach. Fort Townsend State Park. This beach is known for its large number of clams and its easy digging conditions. And with a little bit of know-how, you can easily find yourself a bountiful catch of clams. The cozy tent can accommodate up to three persons, providing a comfortable king-sized bed and an extra cot, if needed. This day-use park on the west side of Whidbey Island is a scenic drive away from Anacortes or a short ferry ride from Mukilteo. Luella Meaux: November 21, 1929 January 21, 2023, Claudia Anderson: October 1, 1939 January 31, 2023, Chieko Yamane Miller: July 26, 1936 February 16, 2023, Guarding the flock: Chicken farms rely on specialized dogs. You could go yurt camping, rent a bubble or dome and go glamping under the stars, stay in an Airstream, or relax in a cabin by the water. If you choose to go dispersed camping, then make sure you do so with someone who already knows the area where youre planning on camping for your own safety. South Whidbey Island, including current-day South Whidbey State Park, lies within the traditional territory of multiple Southern Coast Salish tribes, who have inhabited the region for more than 10,000 years. And staying at the campground in the park means you can spend as much time as you like exploring this history-filled area at a very affordable price. He contacted Charles Ehlert, a young Seattle environmental law attorney, who filed a landmark lawsuit Noel v. Cole. There is also a range of guided tours from park staff that you can go on, including things like morning bird-watching walks and tide pool exploration walks. It's home to many miles of hiking trails featuring beaches, views, old growth trees and more. Bait is a more effective fishing technique when fishing for clams in New World waters, particularly in shallow water. You can also get lessons or join any tournaments that are running when visiting. According to Camille Speck, a state Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist based out of Port Townsend, the non-native species moved in while the fishery was closed and is pushing out native clams, particularly Manilla and butter clams. Depending on the direction of the wind, their flight pattern may put them above the park, creating noisy conditions. Theres even an old battery dug into the high bluffs here that you can explore as part of your adventures around Fort Ebey Park. Its also a family friendly place and is one of the most dog friendly campgrounds in the region too they even have a big dog park! If you've never dug for clams and oysters, the WhidbeyBeach Watchers presents a series of "how-to" classes on area beaches. This park is huge and has 38 miles of hiking trails, six miles of horseback riding trails, and three miles of bike trails! Smooth as Rice 58 subscribers Clam digging at Double Bluff Beach on Whidbey Island in Washington State and cooking up some clam chowder afterwards. Showing results in neighboring cities. There are no more accommodations that exactly fit your criteria. South Whidbey State Park calls to tree-lovers everywhere. There are only a handful of protection districts in Washington and there isnt a lot of precedent for removing them. Puget Sound is divided into various regions. If you want to legally harvest Dungeness or Red Rock crab from Whidbey Island, you should buy a boat. Our network of West Coast and Pacific Northwest fisheries use sustainable and traceable methods to guarantee quality from catch to table. 1. Close to the RV park is also the Deception Pass Golf Center, so you can play a 9-hole round of golf, an 18-hole round of mini-golf, or just practice your shot on the range. There are just 15 campsites in total, and three can accommodate RVs but those only have a water hookup. The park features a beach access trail and an old-growth forest with lush undergrowth. The property offers a remote experience, having no electricity. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Bowman Bay Campground. Use existing sites and amenities when available. Its located towards the southern end of the island, which is unlike many of the other campgrounds that are based in the north, but offers some of the cheapest camping on Whidbey Island. A former Oak Harbor man is accused of hitting a man with a shovel and knocking him unconscious. A national credit rating service has improved its opinion of WhidbeyHealths financial future. You can try broadening your search by changing some of the filters or move and zoom-out into the map to show more results. There is also a park store that provides camping essentials such as firewood, ice, snacks, water, and a range of other items. Whidbey Island has some excellent fishing beaches on its western shores, where salmon and steelhead pass within casting range. Whidbey's numerous lakes are ideal for fishing for largemouth bass or trout. The park is actually located on two islands Fidalgo to the north and Whidbey to the south. Prices will vary each month depending on number of classes offered. GEAR RENTAL Rent the gear you need and have it delivered to your door byArrive Outdoors! Its another great spot to see orcas or grey whales passing by. We found great results, but some are outside Whidbey Island. And with a little bit of know-how, you can easily find yourself a bountiful catch of clams. We also use third party cookies for advertising and analytics purposes. If there are no restrictions in place, then recreational fires are allowed on Whidbey Island without a permit, as long as they meet certain requirements: The best time to camp on Whidbey Island is between May and October, as the weather is pleasant for most of the time then, and the rainfall isnt as heavy. Some of those reside in state parks while others are in privately owned.. To help out, we've picked our six favorite Whidbey Island camping options for you to review. Varnish clams are OK to eat, though they arent as tasty as steamers or Washington little necks, Thrasher said. A limited fishery will likely be the case for many years to come, Speck said. Incredible Sunset at Beachfront Glamping Cabin on Private, Herron Island with Fire Pit and Kayaking near Olympia, Washington, Olympic National Forest Glamping Village for the Ultimate Northwest Outdoor Adventure, Enchanting British Columbia Tree House near East Sooke Park, Vintage Cabin in Private 10-Acre Forest with Covered Porch on Vashon Island, Washington, Modern Luxury Elevated Cabin for Tree House-Style Experience in Seattle. Fort Casey is prone to naval jets flying over the area for a number of hours on any given day though, so if youre concerned about the sound of jet noise, this is not a good campground for you. Oak Harbor Public Schools is facing more bad news on the horizon. 100% 6 Reviews. Give your savings a boost. Due to hazardous trees in the old-growth forest, the campground area is closed indefinitely. Dont miss watching the sunset at the must-visit destination, Deception Pass State Park with its picturesque rugged cliffs. Wonderful people, amazing service (our second order was actually delivered the same day!! 3 Best Glamping Spots On Whidbey Island, USA - Updated 2023, Search Vrbo for the best Holiday Homes & Rentals, glamping whidbey island | luxury forest yurt on a working farm, heated water a hot plate bathroom and such a cute deck and private space, it was lovely to be able to look up and see the trees from the bed, the yurt is as clean and stylish as the pictures depict, the yurt was so lovely and charming it was easy to find with the instructions given by the host, the thoughtfulness of the hosts reflected in all the details, we had a really fun evening hosts were great with suggestions of area activities as well, lovely records and books are provided coffee and tea and the hosts are the epitome of hospitable, loved the space and the location close to langley and the ferry, a quiet comfortable unique place to stay while still close to favorite locations on the island, such a peaceful close getaway for us seattleites, loved it very very comfortable beautiful location, the local experiences are really fun and fairly close as well, glamping whidbey island | cozy tent in the middle of the woods, the tent was very cozy with the woodstove and the propane grill was great, it has heating system that helps keep the tent cozy during winters, plus its comfortable and we had cell service, loved the space very quiet very serene and cozy, everything was very clean and the bed was very comfortable, the small camp site area was also clean and ready for us, paige is such a wonderful host and made sure we were comfortable our entire stay, our host was great and we enjoyed meeting her two lovely children, the host is very friendly warm and welcoming, location is great for exploring whidbey island, moreover this is at a very prime location which makes it easier to explore places nearby, this place is amazing it is a beautiful and private location that is perfect for a quiet getaway, this is such a lovely place to spend a weekend with family, i definitely recommend paige's place and hope to come back and stay again, the air mattress bed was very comfortable and the blankets were so warm even on a cold night, the place was undoubtedly dreamy and stocked with necessary items to make the stay comfortable, this was glamping at it's finest the tent was perfect comfortable bed and fresh flowers waiting, lots of room to run and explore with lovely little touches like fresh flowers coffee and lighted lanterns, there were pans and silverware and washing supplies under the picnic table which was so nice to have, kris is a wonderful host and it was a unique experience, kris the host is a wonderful person easygoing and attentive to any need you may have, such a cute and quiet place to relax and close enough to check out local activities, it's a beautiful location and site and must have been wonderful at one time, this place is a must it's such a dreamy and majestic little oasis tucked away on beautiful property, 27 Best Airbnb Houseboats In And Around Seattle - Updated 2023, Top 10 Hotels With Views Of The Space Needle In Seattle, Washington - Updated 2023, 11 Amazing Party Houses To Rent For One Night In and Around Seattle, 1. It was finally transferred to State Parks in 1991. Its a fun event and crowds of 20,000 from across the country attend. The land that is now South Whidbey State Park was originally set aside as school trust land held by the Washington Department of Natural Resources on behalf of the University of Washington. Clam digging is a popular activity on many New World beaches, with the best clams being found in early summer. There is an unsheltered picnic area with 68 picnic tables and one fire ring for community use. South Whidbey State Park is a 381-acre day-use park with views of Admiralty Inlet and the Olympic Mountains. Fort Ebey was a World War II coastal defense fort that now serves as a state park and campground. Not only do we explain why we love each place, we also detail what makes each campground unique, the facilities there, and whats close by to each. This presents a pretty exciting opportunity, she said. Mussels, clams, and oysters can be harvested from Penn Cove between July to August, but check the exact dates for the year youre going. There is no upland access to this beach. Each campsite comes with a picnic table, fire pit, and a grill, and there are showers and restrooms throughout the park, a free laundry facility, and free WiFi. Penn Cove is an extra special location as its filled with sea life, including ghost shrimp and seals which makes it a favorite feeding ground for whales and orcas looking for a snack! The case was widely publicized, and in 1978, the court ruled in favor of Noel, forever changing the way the state manages forests. Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiring travel guides and articles from around the world! There is also one dedicated campsite for anybody that arrives by kayak or canoe. This campground is available from March 1 October 31, and there are 39 tent campsites and 11 partial-hookup campsites that provide water and electricity. This yurt is not only a haven for nature lovers but for art enthusiasts as well. Fish and Wildlife monitors seasons and regulations, but the health department is charged with monitoring which areas are safe from marine biotoxins and vibrio. You deserve an escape from the day to day. Learn More For clammers who eagerly anticipated the reopening of the once popular South Whidbey hotspot, which used to be open year-round, news of the six-week season is disappointing. Enjoy a luxe glamping experience in the middle of the forest, on a farm. Hiking on Whidbey Island can be done year-round, so if you love the trails but dont want to visit during the much busier summer months, then fall and winter still provide great hiking options. If you find an area where you can freedom camp, then setting up your dispersed camping site still requires you to follow certain rules and regulations so that youre not asked to leave. The best time to see whales around Whidbey Island is between March and May for grey whales, and May to October for orcas. Enjoy a luxe glamping experience in the middle of the forest, on a farm. DNR-100 (Whidbey Island) Last updated on October 5, 2022 by Wandering our World. There are no razor clams but there are butter clams, hoarse clams and on a super low tide geoducks. WHIDBEY ISLAND has few good public beaches to dig clams, and Holmes Harbor was one of the best, she said. Project Metric. If youre looking for a permit, you can pick it up at Bucks Northwest in town. The best place to dig clams on Whidbey Island is at Double Bluff Beach. Glamping Hub is designed for modern browsers. There are multiple other trails that you can connect to if you want a longer hike, including Fern Gully and Ridge Loop Trails. The park has three large campgrounds with 172 tent sites, 134 partial hookup sites, and five sites dedicated to hikers or bikers. There are more than 40 public clam and oyster beaches on Whidbey and Camano Islands. Most campgrounds on Whidbey Island also have access to good hiking trails, so you may not need to go far to find a great hike to try out. Navy personnel conduct training missions at various times during the day and night. For one, its unclear what a limited condition reopening by the department means in terms of the existing protection district and whether the commissioners have the green light to dissolve it. Dispersed camping is going to be challenging on Whidbey Island due to the limited available official options. When you buy seafood caught from the Baranof you are buying direct from the primary producer. Those guided tours are not only fun, but super interesting too. To access the island, you avail of a ferry service or opt for a scenic drive from Mount Vernon. That means you can explore everything the park has to offer as soon as you wake up that includes hiking, walking across those massive bridges, swimming, fishing, birdwatching, canoeing and kayaking. The campground is closed from November 1 April 1. Address: 565 Cornet Bay Rd, Oak Harbor, Washington 97277. SOUTH WHIDBEY ISLAND STATE PARK 4128 Smugglers Cove Rd Freeland, Washington 98249-8702 Phone: 360-331-4559 Reservations: 888-226-7688 South Whidbey Island State Park is a 347-acre camping park with 4,500 feet of saltwater shoreline on Admiralty Inlet. Free . Required under state law, it was created by county commissioners due to the presence of fecal coliform bacteria in water samples. Active Generations offers a balance calls that will last for 6 weeks and we will focus on exercises for the lower body and exercises to increase good posture and overall mobility. They will be small, however, and crops take from two to four years to cultivate. Automated pay station:This park is equipped with an automated pay station for visitors to purchase a one-day or annual Discover Pass. With a nautical soul and agricultural heart, this 45-mile-long island in Puget Sound feels like the West Coast's version of Nantucket. You might cross the popular Deception Cross Bridge on your way. The Native population was decimated by diseases brought in by European settlers in the late 1700s and early 1800s. You can take hot showers in the outdoor shower area. There are also ten tent campsites tucked into the treeline with partial ocean views. Note: An additional Special Activity Permit is required for group activities and events such as wedding ceremonies, races, other sports events etc. Fort Casey was being used by the military in the 1800s up until the 1940s and the remnants of that time are everywhere. Classes are held at Double Bluff County Park ( Getting to the Water's Edge site #44), one of Whidbey Island's best clamming beaches. This is probably the most scenic of the Whidbey island parks. Fort Casey State Park is a 467-acre marine camping park with a lighthouse and sweeping views of Admiralty Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Camp luxuriously in this insulated yurt with a king-sized bed, mini kitchen with a full fridge, and wood stove. Go glamping in a Whidbey Island luxury lodging! What better way than camping! There is a sandy beach with a length of nearly two miles that is known as Mocrocks Beach. Set on the western side of Whidbey Island, Fort Ebey was constructed as a coastal defense fort during the Second World War. Youre also connected to ten miles of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (PNT), which is that 1,200-mile-long scenic trail we talked above before. The Captain Whidbey's beautiful waterfront setting, edible gardens and Penn Cove view, provided all guests with a memorable experience. Oak Harbor Music Festival happens in September and features over 30 bands across all music genres. Lone, Deer, Goss, Cranberry and Pass lakes are all stocked annually. There is no electricity or dumping station. Enjoy! One of the most enjoyable aspects of living on the Washington coast is being able to soak up the tides natural rhythms.