A large beach is located in the first section, which is ideal for walking and shellfishing. All over the island, we find these Whidbey Island parks where you can be closer to nature, history, and enjoy the beautiful flora, fauna, and geography that Whidbey Island has to offer. The digging will be short lived, however. The park is actually located on two islands Fidalgo to the north and Whidbey to the south. You cant get any fresher than the mussels served on the island. Welcome to Wandering our World! Please try again with another location or different dates. It was especially present in wrack, the often smelly carpet of seaweed/organic material that collects on the beach at Freeland Park. Which is an incredible deal and a good souvenir to take home if you dont drink them all before! Deception Pass State Park is one of the most popular destinations in Washington and connects Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island via two enormous bridges 180 feet above the water, which youre welcome to walk across if you dare! The campground has 22 standard campsites and 13 partial hookup campsites that provide water and electricity for RVs. 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. Have a few days off, or even longer, and wondering how to spend the free time? It's home to many miles of hiking trails featuring beaches, views, old growth trees and more. In 1977, controversy erupted when the Department of Natural Resources announced plans to clear-cut 255 acres of trust land forest, known as the "Classic-U" tract, bordering South Whidbey State Park to the east of Smuggler's Cove Road. Limit search to Whidbey Island. Depending on the results, future transplants may occur. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. berries and roots. This presents a pretty exciting opportunity, she said. Address: 400 Hill Valley Dr., Coupeville, WA 98239. Whidbey Island camping offers a plethora of diverse options for enjoying the outdoors. 83 Minna St, San Francisco, CA, United States, California, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Do Mussels Poop? There are no razor clams but there are butter clams, hoarse clams and on a super low tide geoducks. Due to hazardous trees in the old-growth forest, the campground area is closed indefinitely. Another one of the fantastic features of this park is the Keystone Underwater Dive Park, which provides two distinct dive spots, the Keystone Jetty and the abandoned dock pilings. The Pacific Northwest is well known for having big rain seasons, and camping in the rain is not especially pleasant! North Whidbey RV Park is located right beside the entrance to Deception Pass State Park, which provides you with access to miles of hiking and biking trails, beaches to explore and swim at, as well as fishing and crabbing opportunities. In addition to providing information, Anchor & Hope also provides delicious seafood recipes that are easy to follow. Join us for Penn Cove Mussel Fest on Whidbey Island! Up on the bluffs of Fort Ebey, youll find dug out World War II gun placements and bunkers, and you can go exploring through all the rooms there to check out the history that has been left behind. Seawall Park is located just below Langley, and you can watch whales pass by there. The host provides a S'mores kit and hot French press coffee every morning, so you can start your day right. It's a 45-minute cruise with a tour guide that tells you more than you ever knew about . Youll be able to visit the Admiralty Head Lighthouse, which was built in 1903. Notable regions here are: Check here for more information from Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife. Date of experience: August 2014. In 1963, State Parks purchased the park's first 85 acres on the west side of Smuggler's Cove Road. 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. Whidbey Island definitely offers a complete nature retreat. So facilities wise, this is easily one of the best Whidbey Island camping options for RVs. A pleasant and short ferry ride from Mukilteo . Use our interactive ADA recreation map to search for other state parks with ADA amenities and facilities. 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. On top of that the entire campground has free WiFi! 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. Fort Townsend Campground. 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. Free . You may even see them feeding on shrimp there too. Although State Parks cannot be responsible for the jet noise, we do share visitor concerns with representatives of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. In general, clam diggers will need a shovel and a bucket, and a permit may be required in some areas. The Captain Whidbey's beautiful waterfront setting, edible gardens and Penn Cove view, provided all guests with a memorable experience. If you want to legally harvest Dungeness or Red Rock crab from Whidbey Island, you should buy a boat. You need a garden hose or 2-gallon bucket of water available. The park features 2 miles of shoreline on Puget Sound, and includes Keystone Spit, a two-mile stretch of land separating Admiralty Inlet and Crocket Lake. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. On top of that kayaks and canoes can be rented from the concession stand at Bowman Bay. Public ownership of this tideland does not extend across the entire tidal range of the beach. THE DECISION to reopen the fishery and set harvest dates is up to Fish and Wildlife, not the Department of Health, however, and the two agencies have left the county facing legal and scientific questions. DNR-100 (Whidbey Island) I cant imagine any better customer service than what you offer. Musselfest, March 4-5, Coupeville, Whidbey Island. Deception Pass State Park doesnt have a single trail, but is filled with 38 miles of hiking trails to keep you busy for multiple days, and of course you can even camp at the parks campground. My name is Maria Jimnez and I am the owner and creator of Anchor and Hopes SF, a seafood blog dedicated to providing recipes, information, and anything else related to seafood. Go glamping in a Whidbey Island luxury lodging! You can take hot showers in the outdoor shower area. 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The park is the site of Admiralty Head Lighthouse. Please note: U.S. Navy jets from nearby Naval Air Station Whidbey Island may fly over at any time for several hours. DNR-142 (Whidbey Island) Clam, mussel, and oyster seasons CLOSED for harvest year-round. If youre an outdoor enthusiast, you can choose from hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, or swimming on the beach while here. May 15 with a seaweed and shellfish license. There are plenty of public access points for beach fishing, including Deception Pass, Fort Ebey and Fort Casey. Consider going glamping in Whidbey Island, Washington and explore some pretty amazing outdoor locations. As an Amazon Associate and Booking.com partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. It has some of the best views in the state. Rhododendron Campground is a smaller campground than most others on the island. There are also a number of sheltered and unsheltered picnic areas with tables and barbecues for community use spread around the campground and beach area. The campsites are spacious, the campground is quiet, and the facilities (see below) are very good. Campfires shouldnt be more than 3 feet in diameter or 2 feet high. South Whidbey State Park calls to tree-lovers everywhere. There is also a record player for those who are into the classic way of enjoying music. We want to help people learn more about seafood so that they can make informed decisions about what to eat. There is no upland access to this beach. Hidden Beach is a public beach that has incredible views far out into the ocean. Fall asleep to the sound of nature on your queen-sized air mattress while snuggled inside the comforter. Then we'll take a boat tour of the Penn Cove Shellfish mussel farm. Instead, survey digs in 2008 and again this year showed the once prevalent Manilla and butter clams to have declined from four individuals per square foot to under one and a half. Our network of West Coast and Pacific Northwest fisheries use sustainable and traceable methods to guarantee quality from catch to table. A recreational vehicle sanitary dump station is available during regular park hours. Portage Bay, Lummi Bay and Lummi Island Butter Clams and Varnish Clams Governor's Point south to the Skagit County line, including Larabee State Park Butter Clams and Varnish Clams . diggers can catch 15 razor clams per day under state law and are required to keep 15 of them in their jars at all times. Whether you're a freshwater or saltwater fishing enthusiast, the islands are alive with seafood! WHIDBEY ISLAND has few good public beaches to dig clams, and Holmes Harbor was one of the best, she said. The best low tides in the fall and winter (between October and mid-March) and in the spring (between mid-March and mid-April) are usually found during afternoon/evening (PM) hours, when success is most likely. There are more than 40 public clam and oyster beaches on Whidbey and Camano Islands. The park offers views of the Olympic Mountains and rare old-growth stands. The results were enough to warrant a conditional reopening of the beach for nine months of the year. Anacortes Arts Festival happens in August. Give your savings a boost. By clicking I Agree you expressly consent our use of cookies. We found great results, but some are outside Whidbey Island. 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. Showing results in neighboring cities. Lagoon Point has a public beach that is also known locally as a great viewing area for whales. This beach is known for its large number of clams and its easy digging conditions. Deception Pass State Park spreads over 3,854 acres, a marine and camping park with 77,000 feet of saltwater shoreline and 33,900 feet of freshwater shoreline on three lakes. Clamming is a great way to enjoy the beach and get some delicious seafood all at the same time. are plentiful. State fishery officials announced that the area will reopen from April 1 to May 15, pending formal approval by the Washington Fish and WildLife Commission. Washington Department of Health (DOH) cautions that clams, oysters, and mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time. The log group shelter may be reserved. Try these and enjoy nature with a bit more solitude. Although if youre looking for restaurants and stores, youll need to drive out of the park for about 20 minutes to find any. Clam digging is a popular activity on many New World beaches, with the best clams being found in early summer. This particular beach was loaded with steamers You could show up and in 20 minutes have your limit, he said. How many clams are allowed to dig in Washington state? For additional information and a permit, call the park at (360) 678-4519 or send an email. Lone, Deer, Goss, Cranberry and Pass lakes are all stocked annually. Please bear this in mind to guarantee your reservation. Whidbey Island, WA 6 contributions Clamming at Double Bluff can be decent on a very low tide. 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. There is also an opportunity to buy a case of 12 mixed bottles from each venue for $20-$25. Those are great areas for socializing and sharing stories about your days adventures. Last minute booking. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Smooth as Rice 58 subscribers Clam digging at Double Bluff Beach on Whidbey Island in Washington State and cooking up some clam chowder afterwards. Whidbey Island Seafood Company sources the highest quality seafood caught from Pacific Northwest fisherman, and delivers your bounty directly to your front door. They showcase their best products with fabulous food, whilst local artists showcase their art at each venue. So if youre looking for an activity based camping vacation this is a fantastic campground to stay at. This yurt is surrounded by tall coniferous trees, making you feel secluded in nature. Youre also close to a range of other activities and services on the base, including paintball, a gym, rec center, food, and a range of other things. Oak Harbor Public Schools is facing more bad news on the horizon. He contacted Charles Ehlert, a young Seattle environmental law attorney, who filed a landmark lawsuit Noel v. Cole. Its another great spot to see orcas or grey whales passing by. Some popular places to dig for clams include Willapa Bay, Grays Harbor, and Puget Sound. Note: An additional Special Activity Permit is required for group activities and events such as wedding ceremonies, races, other sports events etc. Its a fun event and crowds of 20,000 from across the country attend. In Washington, digging for clams is a popular sport year round. Even watching the paragliders jump off and glide can be an amazing sight. Oak Harbor Music Festival happens in September and features over 30 bands across all music genres. You are a 5-star, all-around great business providing an important service in this rapidly changing world!, Always an excellent experience ordering from Whidbey Island Seafood Company! The sites are quite spacious and private, but this is a popular campground and state park, so it can get busy. However, there are also two designated off-leash parks and adventure areas that your dog can enjoy: Greenbank Farms Trail is a 3-mile hike with meadows and forested areas where your dog can roam freely. But if youre excited about seeing jets race above your head, then this is a fantastic location. Puget Sound is divided into various regions. 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. Panoramic views of the Puget Sound shoreline, the Olympic Mountains and sunsets. This will be a pretty awesome day trip from Seattle. It is possible to keep 15 razor clams at first, but each digger must keep a separate container. Prices will vary each month depending on number of classes offered. The advantages to staying here is the opportunity to be immersed in nature as the campgrounds are surrounded by Deception Pass State Park. Enjoy! The traditional bell tent gives out rustic vibes and is tucked in nature. The property offers a remote experience, having no electricity. Fishing, Clamming, Crabbing Whether you're a freshwater or saltwater fishing enthusiast, the islands are alive with seafood! While they are all over Puget Sound, they havent been known to outcompete regional species. Shellfish are prized resources of the Puget Sound, the cool, clean waters provide some of the finest shellfish habitat in the world. 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. Why? If you buy something through a link on our site we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to yourself. One of the most enjoyable aspects of living on the Washington coast is being able to soak up the tides natural rhythms. So read on to begin your Whidbey Island camping adventure! Directions Park Website Boating Camping Diving Saltwater fishing Two boat ramps 1.8 miles of hiking trails Amphitheater Beach exploration Two fire circles Bird watching Historical Site Lighthouse Fort Casey Historical State Park is a go-to destination for history buffs. For a perfect glamping experience, there is a large deck and a fire pit available on site. Heres our list of 24 Whidbey and Camano Trails that are not as busy as the islands more popular trails.