One of the best things to do on Whidbey Island is to go for a hike! Whidbey Island Seafood Company We pride ourselves on the quality of wild-caught America seafood we source and provide to our customers. 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. Camping is available at nearbyFort Casey and Fort Ebey state parks. Fort Casey Historical State Park Campground has one restroom and several showers for campers to use. Theyre some of the best in the country, and when youre eating mussels in a restaurant in the US, theyve often come from Whidbey Island! And spending your night glamping nestled in the woods. There is no electricity, but lanterns are provided for your convenience. only allow same-day reservations within strict time limits. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Youll be able to visit the Admiralty Head Lighthouse, which was built in 1903. If youre looking for a calm and quiet beach with a wide beach, look no further than Mocrocks Beach. Its just north of Freeland on the south end of the island. Some popular places to dig for clams include Willapa Bay, Grays Harbor, and Puget Sound. Be careful while doing so of course. Couldnt be happier!. Rhododendron Campground is a smaller campground than most others on the island. A national credit rating service has improved its opinion of WhidbeyHealths financial future. 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. For additional information and a permit, call the park at (360) 678-4519 or send an email. BIOLOGISTS SAID they hope to discover whats happening through studies and testing. Campfires shouldnt be more than 3 feet in diameter or 2 feet high. There are 100 full hookup sites for large RVs and trailers, but no tents sites. Im talking a one-fourth acre or less of the seven acres of productive habitat, she said. Autumn on Whidbey Wine, Spirits, and Art Tour happens in November, and is a self-guided tour of five of the best wineries and distilleries on the island. Each digger must keep his or her own container of clams in their possession. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window). Exact property boundaries are not clearly identifiable in the field. And also fireplaces to keep warm during colder nights. If youre in the same water as I mentioned above, look for Flint on the beach or on the shore. Set on the western side of Whidbey Island, Fort Ebey was constructed as a coastal defense fort during the Second World War. Weve posed that question to DOH and we havent gotten an answer yet, Higman said. 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! 10 Thank Francis P . Give your savings a boost. There is an unsheltered picnic area with 68 picnic tables and one fire ring for community use. Lone, Deer, Goss, Cranberry and Pass lakes are all stocked annually. Founded by a former globetrotting freelance journalist (BBC, USA Today & others), now our small team is here to help you plan your next adventure! Part of that will include removing the offending varnish clams in small areas and reseeding it with Manilla and butter clams. 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. Scroll down to find the best glamping spots on Whidbey Island, USA, for a stay amidst nature. Depending on the direction of the wind, their flight pattern may put them above the park, creating noisy conditions. Picnic shelters and unsheltered tables remain open to visitors and provide excellent lunch spots for day-trippers and travelers en-route to such nearby camping state parks as Deception Pass, Fort Casey and Fort Ebey. There are multiple other trails that you can connect to if you want a longer hike, including Fern Gully and Ridge Loop Trails. Consider going glamping in Whidbey Island, Washington and explore some pretty amazing outdoor locations. 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. Boating and saltwater fishing are hugely popular activities in the park too, as is exploring the beach and bird watching or simply relaxing and people watching. Camping in the park has been permanently closed due to tree diseases, which pose a tree-fall risk. Save. Enterococcus is part of the normal intestinal flora of humans and animals, which means the contributor could be nothing more than wildlife. Catch-and-release fly fishing at Whidbey's Pass Lake is for serious fly fisher folks who enjoy donning waders and plunking down in float tubes. They want to know where it comes from, how it was caught and processed and whether it comes from sustainable fisheries. Even if its the summer months, its always a good idea to check tide tables before sailing out to sea. The sites are quite spacious and private, but this is a popular campground and state park, so it can get busy. Oak Harbor Public Schools is facing more bad news on the horizon. There is a park office that sells firewood, ice, snacks, and a range of other items for you to check out too. Whidbey has around 20 campgrounds and RV parks for you to choose from spread throughout the island. She once visited a pristine island, which inspired her to travel further and tell more stories about the world. Seasons, limits, and methods for catching crabs vary by season and location. WHIDBEY ISLAND has few good public beaches to dig clams, and Holmes Harbor was one of the best, she said. Go glamping in a Whidbey Island luxury lodging! We dug up cockles, horse, manila, and. There is also an opportunity to buy a case of 12 mixed bottles from each venue for $20-$25. Whidbey has around 20 campgrounds and RV parks for you to choose from spread throughout the island. It includes a barbecue and four picnic tables, accommodating up to 30 guests. Theres activities and food available and the festival attracts around 90,000 people over three days! 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. On top of that we show you our favorite hikes on the island, share a free camping game thats perfect for camping on Whidbey, and even more. Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device, Alaskan Black Cod (Portion) - Wild Caught, Alaskan Coho Salmon (Portion) - Wild Caught, Alaskan Shortraker Rockfish (Portion) - Wild Caught, Alaskan Sockeye Salmon (Portion) - Wild Caught. A full clubhouse is available that gives you access to a shared kitchen, day room, and coffee lounge. Panoramic views of the Puget Sound shoreline, the Olympic Mountains and sunsets. This park is huge and has 38 miles of hiking trails, six miles of horseback riding trails, and three miles of bike trails! 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. In 1963, State Parks purchased the park's first 85 acres on the west side of Smuggler's Cove Road. Ordering online is quick and easy and delivery goes without a hitch. If you are clamming on Whidbey Island, make sure to check the state Department of Health's website for a list of beach closures. A boat ramp can be found on the beachs east side, and a dock can be found on the beachs west side. See our privacy policy for more information on how we use your data. It is located 127 feet above the Puget Sound waterway and has fantastic views. Camping on Whidbey Island is a great alternative to more expensive accommodation, and it gets you much closer to nature! 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! 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. Fishing Whidbey's numerous lakes are ideal for fishing for largemouth bass or trout. Oysters are not expected to be common at this location. Fort Casey Historical State Park is a go-to destination for history buffs. Along with salmon, their diets consisted of: steelhead, rainbow trout, shellfish, 1 Other possible spelling: "Earnfelt" 2 Jimmie Jean Cook, A Particular Friend. 100% 10 Reviews. Wonderful people, amazing service (our second order was actually delivered the same day!! Reservations can be made online or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. Zoom in to see updated info. 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. A Locals Guide To Half Moon Bay Camping: Best Campgrounds, Dispersed Camping & More! Knowing the tide times ahead of time will assist you in planning your crabbing trip. 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. 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. The island is significant both historically and culturally. more. Walk among the giants: Douglas-fir, Sitka spruce, western hemlock and western red-cedar trees, including a 500-year-old cedar. So read on to begin your Whidbey Island camping adventure! To access the island, you avail of a ferry service or opt for a scenic drive from Mount Vernon. We cant deny that our customers love to eat quality seafood, and we are proud to help them with their cravings. There is also one dedicated campsite for anybody that arrives by kayak or canoe. The park also has a range of athletic fields used for little league games, so the campground is the perfect spot to set up camp for tournaments and other activities in Rhododendron Park. We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. You should bring a torch or headlamp so you can explore fully. Higman said the agency may research the question with its legal department about just when it can give the county the OK. ALSO UNCLEAR is from where the Enterococcus bacteria orignated, Higman said. Due to hazardous trees in the old-growth forest, the campground area is closed indefinitely. DNR-100 (Whidbey Island) Clam, mussel, and oyster seasons OPEN for harvest 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. Whidbey Island Seafood Company sources the highest quality seafood caught from Pacific Northwest fisherman, and delivers your bounty directly to your front door. Eagles may be viewed at Lake Pondilla. Its not without hope, she said. 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 Learn More The digging will be short lived, however. The best time to see whales around Whidbey Island is between March and May for grey whales, and May to October for orcas.