In Washington, you can purchase a permit, check toxin levels, and plan your trip online at the states Department of Fish and Wildlife. What better way than camping! Youll be able to see a range of fascinating marine life living just offshore there, including Giant Pacific octopus that live in the boulders by the jetty. You cant get any fresher than the mussels served on the island. It will inspire you with art pieces that are intricately designed and encourage you to unleash the artist in you using the watercolors, pastels, journaling paper, and musical instruments provided. Ordering online is quick and easy and delivery goes without a hitch. Whidbey Island Seafood Company sources the highest quality seafood caught from Pacific Northwest fisherman, and delivers your bounty directly to your front door. Each campsite also has a picnic table and an outdoor grill, whilst fresh water is available nearby. 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. Youll be able to visit the Admiralty Head Lighthouse, which was built in 1903. 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. clams are plentiful on Whidbey Island's rural beaches. The campsites are also spacious and feel very private thanks to all the forest and trees you will be surrounded by. Washington state has serious problems with wildfires and often issues bans on any type of recreational fires, including campfires. In the late 1950s, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission entered into negotiations with the University of Washington to acquire some of the trust land for use as a state park. Thats because theres full hookups at this RV park, and many more amenities and facilities here than youll find in state park campgrounds. We dug up cockles, horse, manila, and. The best time to see whales around Whidbey Island is between March and May for grey whales, and May to October for orcas. And if youre up for a hike, this park has direct access to the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, which is a 1,200-mile-long track that takes you along the best hiking the Pacific Northwest has. Monofilament recovery and recycling program. As an Amazon Associate and Booking.com partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. And if youre planing your own Whidbey Island camping adventure then youre in the right place! The geoduck (pronounced gooey-duck) has a funny name and its appearance often elicits embarrassed laughter, but Washington's biggest clam means big money to the Department of Natural Resources and fine eating, particularly for wealthy devotees in China. To complete the experience, why not sleep under the stars? You should bring a torch or headlamp so you can explore fully. A large beach is located in the first section, which is ideal for walking and shellfishing. Enjoy freshwater and saltwater fishing, within walking distance of each other, challenging cliffside hiking trails, Canoeing and kayaking, boat tours, and more. There are just 15 campsites in total, and three can accommodate RVs but those only have a water hookup. During the same period, varnish clam numbers jumped from about seven- and-a-half per square foot to nearly 11.5 per square foot. In an August 1981 ceremony, Public Lands Commissioner Brian Boyle signed an agreement with Save the Trees and others to work together to preserve the forest. Ebeys Landing is a 5.5-mile hike suitable for the whole family, including the pup! 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. Youll find a huge range of outdoor adventure activities here too, from hiking and kayaking to paragliding! Luxury forest yurt on a working farm (from USD 100) Show all photos. Tree branches cant be within 15 feet of the fire. 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. Seawall Park is located just below Langley, and you can watch whales pass by there. So, whether youre a seasoned pro or a first-time clammer, read on to find out everything you need to know about where to go clamming on Whidbey Island. And with all of the parks buildings, ladders, hidden rooms, forts and cannons to check out, this is an especially fun place for kids to visit and stay. Holmes Harbor was closed to shellfish harvesting in March 2007 with the formation of the Holmes Harbor Shellfish Protection District. If its seabird poop does that constitute a health risk?, Higman said. Oak Harbor Public Schools is facing more bad news on the horizon. Whidbey farm talks to provide meaty discussion; Federal grant to fund Island County road . ), and very high quality sea food. Founded by a former globetrotting freelance journalist (BBC, USA Today & others), now our small team is here to help you plan your next adventure! Classes are held at Double Bluff County Park ( Getting to the Water's Edge site #44), one of Whidbey Island's best clamming beaches. Exact property boundaries are not clearly identifiable in the field. The Captain Whidbey's beautiful waterfront setting, edible gardens and Penn Cove view, provided all guests with a memorable experience. You need a garden hose or 2-gallon bucket of water available. But you can even whale watch from the shore and spot grey whales and orcas. We cant deny that our customers love to eat quality seafood, and we are proud to help them with their cravings. Available for a limited time only. Those are great areas for socializing and sharing stories about your days adventures. Perm's Cove: A History of the Settlers. Whidbey has around 20 campgrounds and RV parks for you to choose from spread throughout the island. There is a sandy beach with a length of nearly two miles that is known as Mocrocks Beach. Whidbey Island Clams Whidbey Island Clams View map Sort by: Highest Rating We found great results, but some are outside Whidbey Island. Join us for Penn Cove Mussel Fest on Whidbey Island! are plentiful. Some popular places to dig for clams include Willapa Bay, Grays Harbor, and Puget Sound. We recommend you to update it for security reasons and to be able to use the site. The beach is divided into two sections. It is possible to keep 15 razor clams at first, but each digger must keep a separate container. There is a park office that sells firewood, ice, snacks, and a range of other items for you to check out too. Date of experience: August 2014. Of course you dont need to do the entire 1,200 miles, but you can experience a small part of it. For upcoming dates check . There are several heated showers and restrooms, as well as a coin-operated laundry too. Temperatures from May to October can range from 10C to 24C, and it only rains between 3 to 8 days out of each month. If you buy something through a link on our site we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to yourself. The game encourages players to get out and discover wildlife and nature, as well as make new friends and do fun camping activities. There are five covered pavilions for community use that have picnic tables and barbecues available too. WHIDBEY ISLAND has few good public beaches to dig clams, and Holmes Harbor was one of the best, she said. So you must check if there are any burn restrictions in place before starting any type of fire on Whidbey Island. It is the homeland of the Skagit, Snohomish and Swinomish people, among others. Its situated in a largely forested area thats well-known for the huge number of rhododendrons that bloom during spring hence the name! 1. Between November and April, the rain is much higher, humidity is high, and the temperature drops significantly, ranging from 3C to 11C. There is an unsheltered picnic area with 68 picnic tables and one fire ring for community use. Classes are June 25 at 11 a.m., June 27 at 12:30 p.m., July 10 at 11 a.m., July 23 at 10 a.m. and July 25 at 11:30 a.m. . Because salt does not appear in blue on the New World map, finding it can be difficult; only fresh water appears in blue on the map. Have a few days off, or even longer, and wondering how to spend the free time? The following areas have been closed for recreational harvest of butter and varnish clams only: West Whidbey Island Admiralty Bay Useless Bay Claims and Buildings of Central Whidbey Island (Coupeville, WA: Island County Historical Society, 1973), 75. North Whidbey RV Park is located right across from the Deception Pass State Park entrance, so it gives you full access to the park and everything on offer there, but in a much more comfortable environment for RVers. Here you can find Ebeys Landing National Historical Reserve, the earliest national historical reserve in the US. 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. Dont miss watching the sunset at the must-visit destination, Deception Pass State Park with its picturesque rugged cliffs. 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! Fort Townsend State Park. Be careful while doing so of course. Another two extremely popular activities at Fort Ebey are surfing, as well as paragliding from the bluff. Nonetheless, on occasion, youll also find Nightcrawler Bait. Some of those reside in state parks while others are in privately owned.. To help out, weve picked our six favorite Whidbey Island camping options for you to review. Map updates are paused. Along with salmon, their diets consisted of: steelhead, rainbow trout, shellfish, 1 Other possible spelling: "Earnfelt" 2 Jimmie Jean Cook, A Particular Friend. Address: 41229 State Rte 20, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Note: An additional Special Activity Permit is required for group activities and events such as wedding ceremonies, races, other sports events etc. Fort Townsend Campground. The island was charted by Captain George Vancouver, a British explorer, in 1792. Its a much more peaceful campground than the more popular Deception Pass, so if youre looking for serenity away from the crowds, this is a great choice. Those include: However most of the state parks on Whidbey Island have pay-for-use campgrounds, which means you wont be able to legally freedom camp in those locations. There are 100 full hookup sites for large RVs and trailers, but no tents sites. The United States Exploring Expedition, led by Captain Charles Wilkes, also mapped Whidbey Island after sailing into Penn Cove north of the park in 1841. We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. Despite the development and setback to returning to year-round harvest, Speck said shes optimistic. Learn to dig for clams in the popular Digging for Dinner class. Our network of West Coast and Pacific Northwest fisheries use sustainable and traceable methods to guarantee quality from catch to table. In addition, a small store called Campsite Coffee sells additional food, drinks, and some pretty good coffee. Be that in nature or immersed in history.