The perfect Whidbey Island campgrounds are only a mouse click away! DISCLAIMER: Below we give general advice, but we always recommend staying in an official campsite. The fire must be a minimum of 25 feet from any timber, structures, or power lines. During the same period, varnish clam numbers jumped from about seven- and-a-half per square foot to nearly 11.5 per square foot. The campground is connected to Rhododendron Park, which has three large athletic fields, full-service restrooms, a picnic area with tables including a sheltered area with a barbecue, and a playground for kids. It was a little bit of a rude shock, Speck said during a telephone interview. Address: 400 Hill Valley Dr., Coupeville, WA 98239. 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. Bait is a more effective fishing technique when fishing for clams in New World waters, particularly in shallow water. Use our interactive ADA recreation map to search for other state parks with ADA amenities and facilities. There are no razor clams but there are butter clams, hoarse clams and on a super low tide geoducks. The campground has 22 standard campsites and 13 partial hookup campsites that provide water and electricity for RVs. is accessible by boat only. Youll be taken 300 feet high on top of the bluffs to see fantastic views back down onto the rocky beaches. Clams are only found in saltwater, so you should avoid lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, and any body of water where they are found. May 15 with a seaweed and shellfish license. We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. This park provides 52 full hookup RV campsites, and most have an ocean view. You can also harvest mussels in the nearby Twin Lagoons year-round. Featured Products Alaskan Black Cod (Portion) - Wild Caught $14.53 Your seafood is packed in dry ice and shipped to your doorstep within 3 days of leaving our facility. Harvest profile There are multiple other trails that you can connect to if you want a longer hike, including Fern Gully and Ridge Loop Trails. Address: 1280 Engle Road Coupeville, WA 98239. And if youre planing your own Whidbey Island camping adventure then youre in the right place! Whidbey Island has a huge range of hiking trails to match everybodys level of fitness and ability. 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. Navy personnel conduct training missions at various times during the day and night. Whidbey's numerous lakes are ideal for fishing for largemouth bass or trout. Oysters are not expected to be common at this location. A full clubhouse is available that gives you access to a shared kitchen, day room, and coffee lounge. In Washington, digging for clams is a popular sport year round. And if you get a recreational license, you can go freshwater fishing, seaweed harvesting, or shellfish harvesting, so youve even got something to cook on your campfire in the evening! Contact park staff for details. Definitely our always go-to for seafood on Whidbey Island!, Your fish is consistently of the highest quality and flavor! If youre an outdoor enthusiast, you can choose from hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, or swimming on the beach while here. Enterococcus is part of the normal intestinal flora of humans and animals, which means the contributor could be nothing more than wildlife. You may also stroll through the lush garden and admire the beauty all around you. Luckily Whidbey Island has a number of amazing campgrounds that will fit almost anybodys needs. There is also one dedicated campsite for anybody that arrives by kayak or canoe. Our Phone Number: (360) 331-4887. It is located 127 feet above the Puget Sound waterway and has fantastic views. 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. There are just 15 campsites in total, and three can accommodate RVs but those only have a water hookup. What can be fresher than taking it from the ocean yourself? Washington State is the nation's leading producer of farmed bivalve shellfish (clams, geoduck, mussels and oysters) and with Whidbey Islands public beach . Clammers will hit Holmes Harbor for the first time in eight years this spring. The campsites are spacious, the campground is quiet, and the facilities (see below) are very good. This is one of the most popular Whidbey island parks. If you prefer to take the ferry, take I-5 North and take exit 182. To find out how to opt out of our cookies or how our cookies work, please visit our Cookies Policy. It really is the perfect location to enjoy a relaxing camping experience with fantastic views and great amenities. The campground provides one restroom with a vault toilet and two showers. Young visitors are encouraged to become Junior Rangers. Acres of clams, and they're not Ivar's | Whidbey News-Times Of course its not only the weather that can decide when you want to go camping on Whidbey Island, theres other factors too. Staying at Fort Ebey State Park means youll be surrounded by the park and ocean and the range of activities that both provide. 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. 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). It is possible to keep 15 razor clams at first, but each digger must keep a separate container. 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 . Another two extremely popular activities at Fort Ebey are surfing, as well as paragliding from the bluff. Shellfish are prized resources of the Puget Sound, the cool, clean waters provide some of the finest shellfish habitat in the world. Some of these beaches, however, may have seasonal restrictions or be closed to prevent over-harvesting. ), and very high quality sea food. The park is known for its breath-taking views, old-growth forests, and abundant wildlife. A range of events are set up most nights so people can interact together, including beer evenings, wine tastings, painting, and a range of other activities. 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 The recreational beaches of Island County offer a wealth of shellfish for you and your family to gather and enjoy. Showing results in neighboring cities. Clamming hotspot on South Whidbey to reopen, but dig limited to six Among all whidbey island parks, this is the one that caters most to bikers and hikers. Appearing in the 1980s, they are native to Asia. Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiring travel guides and articles from around the world! In addition, a small store called Campsite Coffee sells additional food, drinks, and some pretty good coffee. Even watching the paragliders jump off and glide can be an amazing sight. Clam Digging at Double Bluff Beach & How to Make Clam Chowder You can try broadening your search by changing some of the filters or move and zoom-out into the map to show more results. Whidbey Island is a perfect location to head on a whale-watching excursion from one of the many tour operators. HARVESTED VARNISH clams, invasive species or not, will be applied to a clammers catch quota, Speck said. 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. There are several outfitters that incorporate digging during a boating or whale watching tour around the San Juan Islands in Puget Sound. DNR-142 (Whidbey Island) - Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Balance Class - Active Generations If youre looking for a calm and quiet beach with a wide beach, look no further than Mocrocks Beach. The Arts Artists flock to Whidbey and Camano Islands for inspiration. To catch clams, look for the larger hole next to a quarter, and the edge of the surf line. Deception Pass State Park is a 4,134-acre marine and camping park with more than 14 miles of saltwater shoreline, and 8 miles of freshwater shoreline on three different lakes just north of Oak Harbor. They will be small, however, and crops take from two to four years to cultivate. West Whidbey Island Butter Clams and Varnish Clams Saratoga Passage and Possession Sound, including Utsalady Bay, Penn Cove and Holmes Harbor . The island was charted by Captain George Vancouver, a British explorer, in 1792. 2023 Whidbey and Camano Islands Tourism. 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. In general, clam diggers will need a shovel and a bucket, and a permit may be required in some areas. Public ownership of this tideland does not extend across the entire tidal range of the beach. 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. Tree branches cant be within 15 feet of the fire. Those are great areas for socializing and sharing stories about your days adventures. DNR-142 (Whidbey Island) is accessible by boat only. 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. 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. Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife has a map of freshwater fishing opportunities on Whidbey Island here Saltwater fishing, either from the beach or by boat, is a great opportunity to catch several varieties of salmon, sturgeon, smelt, and other varieties. The campsites are also spacious and feel very private thanks to all the forest and trees you will be surrounded by. 100% 6 Reviews. Join us for Penn Cove Mussel Fest on Whidbey Island! 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. DNR-100 (Whidbey Island) Dispersed camping is going to be challenging on Whidbey Island due to the limited available official options. Musselfest, March 4-5, Coupeville, Whidbey Island. Washington Department of Health (DOH) cautions that clams, oysters, and mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time. Enjoy a luxe glamping experience in the middle of the forest, on a farm. There is a park office that sells firewood, ice, snacks, and a range of other items for you to check out too. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. Earn 4.00% APY* with our 48-month promotional certificate. We recommend you to update it for security reasons and to be able to use the site. Region 6 - west side of north Whidbey Including Deception Pass, Region 8-1 - between Whidbey Island and the mainland/Camano Island, Region 8-2 - between Camano Island and the mainland. The park is the site of Admiralty Head Lighthouse. 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). Please exercise caution not to trespass on private property. The results were enough to warrant a conditional reopening of the beach for nine months of the year. So facilities wise, this is easily one of the best Whidbey Island camping options for RVs. Rhododendron Campground is a smaller campground than most others on the island. Digging For Dinner - Sound Water Stewards of Island County, WA Last updated on October 5, 2022 by Wandering our World. 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 sites are quite spacious and private, but this is a popular campground and state park, so it can get busy. 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. 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. This yurt is surrounded by tall coniferous trees, making you feel secluded in nature. If you've never dug for clams and oysters, the WhidbeyBeach Watchers presents a series of "how-to" classes on area beaches. 1. There are 100 full hookup sites for large RVs and trailers, but no tents sites. 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. Smooth as Rice 58 subscribers Clam digging at Double Bluff Beach on Whidbey Island in Washington State and cooking up some clam chowder afterwards. Due to hazardous trees in the old-growth forest, the campground area is closed indefinitely. Watch out for piles of crab shells those indicate where the octopus live! Weve posed that question to DOH and we havent gotten an answer yet, Higman said. berries and roots. The property offers a remote experience, having no electricity. Try these and enjoy nature with a bit more solitude. If youre a huge hiking enthusiast looking for the best scenic hiking around Whidbey Island, weve got you covered with the hikes below. 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. The Canoe Pass and Deception Pass bridges connect the two islands, creating a . 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. Here you can find Ebeys Landing National Historical Reserve, the earliest national historical reserve in the US. 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. Thats because theres full hookups at this RV park, and many more amenities and facilities here than youll find in state park campgrounds. Ask Francis P about Double Bluff County Park. . 100% 10 Reviews. This will be a pretty awesome day trip from Seattle. 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. South Whidbey Island State Park - All You Need to Know - Tripadvisor Cliffside RV Park is located on the western shoreline overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and if you peak across, youll even see Vancouver Island, Canada, looking back! Clams and mussels may be found at many of these beaches and may be collected and consumed safely throughout the year. If you are clamming on Whidbey Island, make sure to check the state Department of Health's website for a list of beach closures. Permission is required from the landowner. A boat ramp can be found on the beachs east side, and a dock can be found on the beachs west side. We cant deny that our customers love to eat quality seafood, and we are proud to help them with their cravings. And with a little bit of know-how, you can easily find yourself a bountiful catch of clams. 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. Captain Whidbey Restaurant - Coupeville, WA | OpenTable