One of the the classic beaches of the Northwest, Camano Island State Park features glowing sunsets, views of the Olympic Mountains, and plentiful wildlife. Camano Island was the very first Cascadia Marine Trail campsite. Families have been coming to the park for generations. For the kid in you, bring a kite!
Approach: Gravel and cobble beach. Waves during south or south-west winds.
Location: East of Whidbey Island. Camano Island State Park is located 14 miles south-west of Stanwood. The campsite is at the far south end of the Point Lowell day-use area.
Hazards: Subject to winds.
Sites: 5
Water: Available in winter, at restroom 0.5 miles up the hill
Sanitation: Day-use restrooms. In winter, 0.5 miles up the hill in the campground.
Overflow: None
Fires: No open fires allowed
Extras: Picnic tables nearby
Fees: $12/night for up to 8 in site
Natural History: Camano Island was named in 1791 after the Spanish explorer Jacinto Camano. Before that time, it was known as Kal-lut-chin, meaning land jutting into the bay, by natives of the Kikialos and Snohomish tribes who inhabited the island. The tribes used this park site as their summer residence, erecting temporary shelters for their stay, and harvesting what the waters and forest had to offer.
Reservations: No
Latitude: 48.1209
Longitude: -122.4905
Additional Resources: Google Maps Page, Guide Book PDF, Site History PDF
One thought on “Camano Island State Park”
From Susan:
Again, a sunny Covid weekend, where everyone wants a slice of nature. The place was an absolute zoo!! Hundreds (and that’s no exaggeration) of people on the beach. Jet skis, pop-up sun tents, SUPs, kids, kayaks, loud music, barking dogs. People everywhere. I couldn’t bear one more noisy campground so I called my girlfriend on Camano to come pick me up. I camped in her back yard and it was lovely!! I did check out the site afterwards and it was clean and available.
NOTE: it is 20.5 NM from Meadowdale to Camano State Park with really no other options for camping. That’s a long day for most paddlers. Possession Point only cuts off a few miles and it made no sense to me to cross the sound a 2nd time.