Theres activities and food available and the festival attracts around 90,000 people over three days! Harvest profile Smooth as Rice 58 subscribers Clam digging at Double Bluff Beach on Whidbey Island in Washington State and cooking up some clam chowder afterwards. There is no electricity, but lanterns are provided for your convenience. 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. DNR-142 (Whidbey Island) - Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Come taste world famous mussels and learn how they are grown on a farm tour. There are a limited number of pull-through RV sites that can accommodate vehicles up to 40 feet. Notable regions here are: Check here for more information from Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife. Then we'll take a boat tour of the Penn Cove Shellfish mussel farm. If youre looking to entertain children while camping on Whidbey Island or you fancy having some fun for yourself then weve created a printable scavenger hunt game! Review Highlights . 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. There is a large parking lot at the beach. Whidbey Island is home to some of the best clamming in the state of Washington. There is also a record player for those who are into the classic way of enjoying music. Some of these beaches, however, may have seasonal restrictions or be closed to prevent over-harvesting. You can also harvest mussels in the nearby Twin Lagoons year-round. The advantages to staying here is the opportunity to be immersed in nature as the campgrounds are surrounded by Deception Pass State Park. Zoom in to see updated info. Vancouver named the island after one of his crew members, Joseph Whidbey, who, along with Peter Puget, circumnavigated the entire island in a small vessel. To truly appreciate the beauty of nature while here, make sure to book one of these glamping spots for your stay! We recommend you to update it for security reasons and to be able to use the site. South Whidbey State Park - Washington Those guided tours are not only fun, but super interesting too. The short . That means you can explore everything the park has to offer as soon as you wake up that includes hiking, walking across those massive bridges, swimming, fishing, birdwatching, canoeing and kayaking. Lone, Deer, Goss, Cranberry and Pass lakes are all stocked annually. Our Phone Number: (360) 331-4887. Heres our list of 24 Whidbey and Camano Trails that are not as busy as the islands more popular trails. The primary booker can sponsor two other campsites if there is availability though. 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. Whidbey has around 20 campgrounds and RV parks for you to choose from spread throughout the island. GEAR RENTAL Rent the gear you need and have it delivered to your door byArrive Outdoors! A full clubhouse is available that gives you access to a shared kitchen, day room, and coffee lounge. Clams can only be found in salt water; to dig, make sure you have a good look at the beach first. A Local's Guide To Whidbey Island Camping: Best Campgrounds, Dispersed Those are great areas for socializing and sharing stories about your days adventures. There is no upland access to this beach. Instead, survey digs in 2008 and again this year showed the once prevalent Manilla and butter clams to have declined from four individuals per square foot to under one and a half. It helps keeps the coffee flowing! 1. The beach is divided into two sections. Shellfish Advisories - Island County, Washington Earn Up To 4.00% APY. The Native population was decimated by diseases brought in by European settlers in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Its located towards the southern end of the island, which is unlike many of the other campgrounds that are based in the north, but offers some of the cheapest camping on Whidbey Island. There are also ten tent campsites tucked into the treeline with partial ocean views. But you can even whale watch from the shore and spot grey whales and orcas. Whidbey has around 20 campgrounds and RV parks for you to choose from spread throughout the island. Rhododendron Campground provides vault toilets, barbecues, picnic tables, fire rings, and freshwater is available. 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 Clams prefer sandy or muddy bottoms, but in general, I prefer shallower areas with a rocky bottom. The island is also an artists paradise, home to painters, sculptors, glass artists, woodworkers, writers, and performers. One big requirement to stay here though, is that you or someone youre with must be an active or retired military employee, a veteran, a reservist, or similar. Try these and enjoy nature with a bit more solitude. There are several outfitters that incorporate digging during a boating or whale watching tour around the San Juan Islands in Puget Sound. Which is an incredible deal and a good souvenir to take home if you dont drink them all before! Shellfish - Island County, Washington The park is known for its breath-taking views, old-growth forests, and abundant wildlife. Incredible Sunset at Beachfront Glamping Cabin on Private, Herron Island with Fire Pit and Kayaking near Olympia, Washington, Olympic National Forest Glamping Village for the Ultimate Northwest Outdoor Adventure, Enchanting British Columbia Tree House near East Sooke Park, Vintage Cabin in Private 10-Acre Forest with Covered Porch on Vashon Island, Washington, Modern Luxury Elevated Cabin for Tree House-Style Experience in Seattle. This yurt is not only a haven for nature lovers but for art enthusiasts as well. The sheer size, bio-diversity, and beauty of this state park are enough to put it on this list. There are several heated showers and restrooms, as well as a coin-operated laundry too. For additional information and a permit, call the park at (360) 678-4519 or send an email. Fort Ebey State Park boasts 645 acres of camping, mountain biking, and hiking. Fishing Whidbey's numerous lakes are ideal for fishing for largemouth bass or trout. The most common months for digging are April-September, but digging can happen at any time of year. Such as annual festivals and events youd like to take part in, or wildlife youd like to see like the incredible whales you can see off the coast of Whidbey during the migration season. Camping is available at nearbyFort Casey and Fort Ebey state parks. 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. Admiralty, Mutiny and Useless bays have other good spots. Last minute booking. Showing results in neighboring cities. Seasons, limits, and methods for catching crabs vary by season and location. Each campsite comes with a picnic table, fire pit, and a grill, and there are showers and restrooms throughout the park, a free laundry facility, and free WiFi. Whidbey Island has a number of festivals where you can enjoy the local flavors, art, music, and natural beauty of this place. I cant imagine any better customer service than what you offer. The following areas have been closed for recreational harvest of butter and varnish clams only: West Whidbey Island Admiralty Bay Useless Bay This place is primitive camping, but the sites are spacious and you feel right in the middle of the nature. by Harley Gutirrez | Jan 18, 2023 | Clams. There is also a park store that provides camping essentials such as firewood, ice, snacks, water, and a range of other items. If you buy something through a link on our site we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to yourself. May 15 with a seaweed and shellfish license. 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. 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. 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). Musselfest, March 4-5, Coupeville, Whidbey Island. It's a 45-minute cruise with a tour guide that tells you more than you ever knew about . Perm's Cove: A History of the Settlers. Youll almost always find that one thing youll need is a Flint bus. 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. Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains an interactive map and list of the locations along with seasons and other regulations. 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. Digging For Dinner - Sound Water Stewards of Island County, WA are plentiful. Acres of clams, and they're not Ivar's | Whidbey News-Times 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. This is one of the most popular Whidbey island parks. He contacted Charles Ehlert, a young Seattle environmental law attorney, who filed a landmark lawsuit Noel v. Cole. It is located 127 feet above the Puget Sound waterway and has fantastic views. Crabbing from Cornet Bay is a viable option if that is not possible. Whidbey's numerous lakes are ideal for fishing for largemouth bass or trout. This yurt is surrounded by tall coniferous trees, making you feel secluded in nature. Somebody 16 years or older must be with the fire at all times. West Whidbey Island Butter Clams and Varnish Clams Saratoga Passage and Possession Sound, including Utsalady Bay, Penn Cove and Holmes Harbor . Walk among the giants: Douglas-fir, Sitka spruce, western hemlock and western red-cedar trees, including a 500-year-old cedar. The results were enough to warrant a conditional reopening of the beach for nine months of the year. IN A recent letter to local regulators, the agency said Island Countys long efforts paid off, but additional monitoring of the shoreline revealed the presence of Enterococcus bacteria, a genus of lactic acid bacteria, during peak summer months. Our network of West Coast and Pacific Northwest fisheries use sustainable and traceable methods to guarantee quality from catch to table. 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. The water quality story is a huge success. We also use third party cookies for advertising and analytics purposes. St. Augustine's in-the-Woods is just north of the town of Freeland near the south end of Whidbey Island, about 25 miles north of Seattle and 6 miles from Everett. 6325 Double Bluff Rd, Freeland, Whidbey Island, WA 98249-9567. You can go boating and fishing in the ocean beside this campground, or in one of the three lakes in the park too. The second section is a narrow beach that can be used by boat to catch clams. Keep left at the fork and merge onto WA-525 N. Follow Whidbey Island Ferry sign and catch Clinton-Mukilteo ferry. 3 Best Glamping Spots On Whidbey Island, USA - Updated 2023, Search Vrbo for the best Holiday Homes & Rentals, glamping whidbey island | luxury forest yurt on a working farm, heated water a hot plate bathroom and such a cute deck and private space, it was lovely to be able to look up and see the trees from the bed, the yurt is as clean and stylish as the pictures depict, the yurt was so lovely and charming it was easy to find with the instructions given by the host, the thoughtfulness of the hosts reflected in all the details, we had a really fun evening hosts were great with suggestions of area activities as well, lovely records and books are provided coffee and tea and the hosts are the epitome of hospitable, loved the space and the location close to langley and the ferry, a quiet comfortable unique place to stay while still close to favorite locations on the island, such a peaceful close getaway for us seattleites, loved it very very comfortable beautiful location, the local experiences are really fun and fairly close as well, glamping whidbey island | cozy tent in the middle of the woods, the tent was very cozy with the woodstove and the propane grill was great, it has heating system that helps keep the tent cozy during winters, plus its comfortable and we had cell service, loved the space very quiet very serene and cozy, everything was very clean and the bed was very comfortable, the small camp site area was also clean and ready for us, paige is such a wonderful host and made sure we were comfortable our entire stay, our host was great and we enjoyed meeting her two lovely children, the host is very friendly warm and welcoming, location is great for exploring whidbey island, moreover this is at a very prime location which makes it easier to explore places nearby, this place is amazing it is a beautiful and private location that is perfect for a quiet getaway, this is such a lovely place to spend a weekend with family, i definitely recommend paige's place and hope to come back and stay again, the air mattress bed was very comfortable and the blankets were so warm even on a cold night, the place was undoubtedly dreamy and stocked with necessary items to make the stay comfortable, this was glamping at it's finest the tent was perfect comfortable bed and fresh flowers waiting, lots of room to run and explore with lovely little touches like fresh flowers coffee and lighted lanterns, there were pans and silverware and washing supplies under the picnic table which was so nice to have, kris is a wonderful host and it was a unique experience, kris the host is a wonderful person easygoing and attentive to any need you may have, such a cute and quiet place to relax and close enough to check out local activities, it's a beautiful location and site and must have been wonderful at one time, this place is a must it's such a dreamy and majestic little oasis tucked away on beautiful property, 27 Best Airbnb Houseboats In And Around Seattle - Updated 2023, Top 10 Hotels With Views Of The Space Needle In Seattle, Washington - Updated 2023, 11 Amazing Party Houses To Rent For One Night In and Around Seattle, 1. Geoduck harvest returns to Whidbey Island - Whidbey News-Times Staying at Fort Ebey State Park means youll be surrounded by the park and ocean and the range of activities that both provide. Though dispersed camping is legal on Whidbey Island, and across the entire state of Washington. They showcase their best products with fabulous food, whilst local artists showcase their art at each venue. Youre also close to a range of other activities and services on the base, including paintball, a gym, rec center, food, and a range of other things. 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. Shellfish are prized resources of the Puget Sound, the cool, clean waters provide some of the finest shellfish habitat in the world. The park offers views of the Olympic Mountains and rare old-growth stands. You may also stroll through the lush garden and admire the beauty all around you. Thats a shame, said Eugene Thrasher, Whidbeys widely recognized clamming guru. 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. You cant get any fresher than the mussels served on the island. Its close to Freeland on the south end of the island too. Catching a crab and cooking it there on the beach (or back home) is a great way to enjoy this seafood favorite. The Canoe Pass and Deception Pass bridges connect the two islands, creating a . 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. 2023 Cost of Living Calculator: compare Brea, California to Whidbey Its battery was dug into a high bluff and is great fun for kids, adult kids and World War II aficionados. The campsites are spacious, the campground is quiet, and the facilities (see below) are very good. Rhododendron Campground is a smaller campground than most others on the island. 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. Penn Cove Shellfish, which grows and sells millions of mussels annually, prides itself on growing mussels free of fertilizer or feed. See our privacy policy for more information on how we use your data. Fort Casey Historical State Park Campground has one restroom and several showers for campers to use. . Deception Pass State Park. Enjoy a luxe glamping experience in the middle of the forest, on a farm. Seawall Park is located just below Langley, and you can watch whales pass by there. If youre a huge hiking enthusiast looking for the best scenic hiking around Whidbey Island, weve got you covered with the hikes below. The best low tides in the fall and winter (between October and mid-March) and in the spring (between mid-March and mid-April) are usually found during afternoon/evening (PM) hours, when success is most likely. Luella Meaux: November 21, 1929 January 21, 2023, Claudia Anderson: October 1, 1939 January 31, 2023, Chieko Yamane Miller: July 26, 1936 February 16, 2023, Guarding the flock: Chicken farms rely on specialized dogs. This yurt is surrounded by tall coniferous trees, making you feel secluded in nature. Washington Shellfish Digging - Go-Wyoming.com This particular beach was loaded with steamers You could show up and in 20 minutes have your limit, he said. Some popular places to dig for clams include Willapa Bay, Grays Harbor, and Puget Sound. Whidbey Island Clams Whidbey Island Clams View map Sort by: Highest Rating We found great results, but some are outside Whidbey Island. Wandering our World is reader supported. . This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. All so you can make the right decision about where to stay. Whidbey Island is home to some of the best clamming in the state of Washington. There are no razor clams but there are butter clams, hoarse clams and on a super low tide geoducks. It includes a barbecue and four picnic tables, accommodating up to 30 guests. 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. WHIDBEY ISLAND has few good public beaches to dig clams, and Holmes Harbor was one of the best, she said. 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 . It has some of the best views in the state. 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. DNR-142 (Whidbey Island) is accessible by boat only. . You deserve an escape from the day to day. Why? To access the island, you avail of a ferry service or opt for a scenic drive from Mount Vernon. Youll need to make a reservation online if you want to stay at any specific site. 2023 Glamping Hub International Inc. All rights reserved. Temperatures from May to October can range from 10C to 24C, and it only rains between 3 to 8 days out of each month. Our network of West Coast and Pacific Northwest fisheries use sustainable and traceable methods to guarantee quality from catch to table. By clicking I Agree you expressly consent our use of cookies. 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. Panoramic views of the Puget Sound shoreline, the Olympic Mountains and sunsets. You need a garden hose or 2-gallon bucket of water available. 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. A Locals Guide To Hayling Island Camping: Best Campsites, Wild Camping & More! There is no upland access to this beach. Captain Whidbey Restaurant - Coupeville, WA | OpenTable 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. Most are easily accessible from any of the campgrounds around the island. A Locals Guide To Half Moon Bay Camping: Best Campgrounds, Dispersed Camping & More! Between November and April, the rain is much higher, humidity is high, and the temperature drops significantly, ranging from 3C to 11C. Great beach for Clamming - Review of Double Bluff County - Tripadvisor Although State Parks cannot be responsible for the jet noise, we do share visitor concerns with representatives of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Give your savings a boost. To sit and walk beneath this canopy of ancient trees overlooking the Puget Sound is a pleasure and a privilege. Its a fun event and crowds of 20,000 from across the country attend. Unsubscribe in one click. 10 Thank Francis P . Whidbey Island Seafood Company We pride ourselves on the quality of wild-caught America seafood we source and provide to our customers. Your seafood is packed in dry ice and shipped to your doorstep within 3 days of leaving our facility. So you may have some jet noise. Public ownership of this tideland does not extend across the entire tidal range of the beach. There are only a handful of protection districts in Washington and there isnt a lot of precedent for removing them. Be that in nature or immersed in history. With a nautical soul and agricultural heart, this 45-mile-long island in Puget Sound feels like the West Coast's version of Nantucket. PDF ARNOLD FARM, BARN HABS WA-244-A 1948 Arnold Road Coupeville vicinity Deception Pass State Park doesnt have a single trail, but is filled with 38 miles of hiking trails to keep you busy for multiple days, and of course you can even camp at the parks campground. 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. Click here for map/directions. Also, they are known to carry paralytic shellfish poisoning, or PSP, for longer periods of time. In addition to providing information, Anchor & Hope also provides delicious seafood recipes that are easy to follow. 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. Whidbey Island Seafood Company sources the highest quality seafood caught from Pacific Northwest fisherman, and delivers your bounty directly to your front door. Unfortunately, your browser is outdated. During the same period, varnish clam numbers jumped from about seven- and-a-half per square foot to nearly 11.5 per square foot. Whidbey Island Clam Chowder View map COVID-19 Restaurants taking safety measures Establishment Type Restaurants Quick Bites Dessert Coffee & Tea Show more Restaurant features Takeout Wheelchair Accessible Serves Alcohol Table Service Show more Meals Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner Price Cheap Eats Mid-range Cuisine American Asian Cafe Mexican 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. State fishery officials announced that the area will reopen from April 1 to May 15, pending formal approval by the Washington Fish and WildLife Commission. South Whidbey State Park is a 381-acre day-use park with views of Admiralty Inlet and the Olympic Mountains. 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. Have a few days off, or even longer, and wondering how to spend the free time? Its another great spot to see orcas or grey whales passing by. Whether youre into kite flying, shellfish harvesting, fishing, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird-watching, frisbee throwing, softball playing, or anything else that benefits from a beautiful environment and well managed campground system, youll find a great place to do it on Whidbey Island. The park is the site of Admiralty Head Lighthouse. There is some discussion with local tribes to harvest varnish clams as crab bait, but its unclear whether that will materialize or expedite the return of local species. 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! The game encourages players to get out and discover wildlife and nature, as well as make new friends and do fun camping activities. Luxury forest yurt on a working farm (from USD 100) Show all photos. . Last updated on October 5, 2022 by Wandering our World. Permission is required from the landowner. Having lain untouched for nearly a decade, she was expecting to find a stable and healthy fishery. What better way than camping! Showing results in neighboring cities. Pacific Beach, Griffiths-Priday, Ocean City, Westhaven, Westport Light, Twin Harbors, Grayland Beach, Leadbetter Point, Pacific Pines, Loomis Lake, and Cape Disappointment are just a few of Washingtons state parks with potential for clams. Im talking a one-fourth acre or less of the seven acres of productive habitat, she said. Claims and Buildings of Central Whidbey Island (Coupeville, WA: Island County Historical Society, 1973), 75. The case was widely publicized, and in 1978, the court ruled in favor of Noel, forever changing the way the state manages forests. Date of experience: August 2014. 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. The roads and pads are concrete for easy manoeuvrability too. Here you can find Ebeys Landing National Historical Reserve, the earliest national historical reserve in the US. Each campsite also has a picnic table and an outdoor grill, whilst fresh water is available nearby. is accessible by boat only. Knowing the tide times ahead of time will assist you in planning your crabbing trip. There are no more accommodations that exactly fit your criteria. Dont camp within 200 feet of a water source. So you must check if there are any burn restrictions in place before starting any type of fire on Whidbey Island. We were successful at our first try and caught enough clams for a good meal.