This park is huge and has 38 miles of hiking trails, six miles of horseback riding trails, and three miles of bike trails! When you buy seafood caught from the Baranof you are buying direct from the primary producer. A permit is required, and each person can only harvest a certain number of clams per day. 100% 10 Reviews. Its another great spot to see orcas or grey whales passing by. Tree branches cant be within 15 feet of the fire. Our network of West Coast and Pacific Northwest fisheries use sustainable and traceable methods to guarantee quality from catch to table. The campground has 22 standard campsites and 13 partial hookup campsites that provide water and electricity for RVs. Catching a crab and cooking it there on the beach (or back home) is a great way to enjoy this seafood favorite. She once visited a pristine island, which inspired her to travel further and tell more stories about the world. A boat ramp can be found on the beachs east side, and a dock can be found on the beachs west side. Part of that will include removing the offending varnish clams in small areas and reseeding it with Manilla and butter clams. Prices will vary each month depending on number of classes offered. There is also one dedicated campsite for anybody that arrives by kayak or canoe. The park has three large campgrounds with 172 tent sites, 134 partial hookup sites, and five sites dedicated to hikers or bikers. BIOLOGISTS SAID they hope to discover whats happening through studies and testing. You can try broadening your search by changing some of the filters or move and zoom-out into the map to show more results. . You can also harvest mussels in the nearby Twin Lagoons year-round. With trails, camping, beach access, and large open fields, this is a perfect Whidbey Island park for a day visit, or a weekend camping trip. If digging for clams and mussels doesnt sound like a good time to you, but eating them does, then there are a range of restaurants on Whidbey Island that will be happy to serve you up their best mussel dishes. Deception Pass State Park. Camping and then catching the sunrise over those bridges is spectacular, and an absolute must if you do choose to stay here. So facilities wise, this is easily one of the best Whidbey Island camping options for RVs. The park has three miles of saltwater shoreline on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, a freshwater lake for fishing, and miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. The campground provides one restroom with a vault toilet and two showers. Thats a shame, said Eugene Thrasher, Whidbeys widely recognized clamming guru. Brea, California vs Whidbey Island Station, Washington Change Places A salary of $50,000 in Brea, California could decrease to $27,297 in Whidbey Island Station, Washington (assumptions include Homeowner, no Child Care, and Taxes are not considered. In Washington, you can purchase a permit, check toxin levels, and plan your trip online at the states Department of Fish and Wildlife. Look for bays and estuaries with plenty of tidal flow. Most are easily accessible from any of the campgrounds around the island. Our customers are keenly interested in knowing everything they can about their seafood. Enjoy Whidbey Island camping rentals and don't miss out. 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. 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. The Native population was decimated by diseases brought in by European settlers in the late 1700s and early 1800s. For a perfect glamping experience, there is a large deck and a fire pit available on site. Camping in the park has been permanently closed due to tree diseases, which pose a tree-fall risk. It was especially present in wrack, the often smelly carpet of seaweed/organic material that collects on the beach at Freeland Park. Click here for map/directions. 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. Although State Parks cannot be responsible for the jet noise, we do share visitor concerns with representatives of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Close by is the Gallery Golf Course which is a challenging 18-hole course that runs along the coastline, so youve got great views while playing. Rhododendron Campground is a smaller campground than most others on the island. DISCLAIMER: Below we give general advice, but we always recommend staying in an official campsite. Rhododendron Campground provides vault toilets, barbecues, picnic tables, fire rings, and freshwater is available. You cant get any fresher than the mussels served on the island. Many of the trails are short at 2-3 miles long, but are suitable for the whole family. Use our interactive ADA recreation map to search for other state parks with ADA amenities and facilities. The fire must be a minimum of 25 feet from any timber, structures, or power lines. The beach is divided into two sections. 100% 3 Reviews. With a nautical soul and agricultural heart, this 45-mile-long island in Puget Sound feels like the West Coast's version of Nantucket. 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. The best place to dig clams on Whidbey Island is at Double Bluff Beach. Glamping Hub is designed for modern browsers. So you must check if there are any burn restrictions in place before starting any type of fire on Whidbey Island. A Locals Guide To Half Moon Bay Camping: Best Campgrounds, Dispersed Camping & More! The short . If youre in the same water as I mentioned above, look for Flint on the beach or on the shore. 83 Minna St, San Francisco, CA, United States, California, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Do Mussels Poop? 2023 Whidbey and Camano Islands Tourism. Go glamping in a Whidbey Island luxury lodging! Fall asleep to the sound of nature on your queen-sized air mattress while snuggled inside the comforter. 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. Admiralty, Mutiny and Useless bays have other good spots. Wonderful people, amazing service (our second order was actually delivered the same day!! This glamping spot is right for you if you love S'mores and good coffee! From exciting outdoor activities to laid-back strolling through the downtown or the beaches, there is something for every traveler. Located a little over 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Seattle and the biggest island in Washington state, Whidbey Island awaits you for your next big outdoor adventure. A limited fishery will likely be the case for many years to come, Speck said. Some of these beaches, however, may have seasonal restrictions or be closed to prevent over-harvesting. That means you can spend more time exploring the island, spotting native wildlife, visiting the plethora of artisans living on Whidbey, and enjoying some of the famous Whidbey Island mussels and other fantastic seafood that this place is known for. On top of that theres a number of cabins and yurts if you want a more comfortable Whidbey Island camping experience. Address: 400 Hill Valley Dr., Coupeville, WA 98239. Whidbey Island and Deception Pass - Private Luxury Day Tour with Lunch Bus Tours from $475.00 per adult (price varies by group size) Deception Pass Bridge Island Tour from Seattle 3 Full-day Tours from $307.60 per adult PRIVATE day Trip to Deception Pass, Skagit Valley and La Conner in SUV Adventure Tours from $285.00 All so you can make the right decision about where to stay. Whidbey Island is home to some seriously famous and tasty mussels. Enjoy a luxe glamping experience in the middle of the forest, on a farm. 2023 Glamping Hub International Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Youll be waking up to the sound of birds, and going to sleep with stars above your head after an activity filled day in nature. Which is an incredible deal and a good souvenir to take home if you dont drink them all before! Heres a few that are worth knowing about: Penn Cove Mussel Festival happens in March and has the world-famous Whidbey Island mussels showcased in a range of food, mussel eating contests, fun activities, and tours of the local farms. Anchor & Hope SF was created with the goal of providing people with accurate and reliable information about seafood. So whether you want to pitch a tent in a rustic nature-orientated campground, or go luxury camping in your deluxe RV, theres a spot for you here. Project Metric. Each digger must keep his or her own container of clams in their possession. 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. Clams can be found in many different places along the Washington coast. There is no electricity or dumping station. Appearing in the 1980s, they are native to Asia. The second section is a narrow beach that can be used by boat to catch clams. There are several heated showers and restrooms, as well as a coin-operated laundry too. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. This will be a pretty awesome day trip from Seattle. If youre an outdoor enthusiast, you can choose from hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, or swimming on the beach while here. Permission is required from the landowner. Bowman Bay Campground. But if youre excited about seeing jets race above your head, then this is a fantastic location. The cozy tent can accommodate up to three persons, providing a comfortable king-sized bed and an extra cot, if needed. 1. The following areas have been closed for recreational harvest of butter and varnish clams only: West Whidbey Island Admiralty Bay Useless Bay Well we know this area well, and so want to share with you everything we know about the island. Clammers will hit Holmes Harbor for the first time in eight years this spring. This includes clams, geoduck, scallops, mussels, oysters, snails and other invertebrates (not crab or shrimp - clean crab well and do not consume the guts/butter). Review Highlights . You can take hot showers in the outdoor shower area. Double Bluff Beach is a 2-mile area where your dog can run and play in the sand without any problems or tickets issued. There is also a park store that provides camping essentials such as firewood, ice, snacks, water, and a range of other items. Fort Townsend State Park. Please note: U.S. Navy jets from nearby Naval Air Station Whidbey Island may fly over at any time for several hours. And with a little bit of know-how, you can easily find yourself a bountiful catch of clams. Save the image and print it out, then tick off what you find and achieve during your camping holiday. Fort Ebey State Park boasts 645 acres of camping, mountain biking, and hiking. Lagoon Point has a public beach that is also known locally as a great viewing area for whales.