Joseph Whidbey State Park

Puget Sound and Islands

Joseph Whidbey State Park is a somewhat lesser known trail system on northern Whidbey Island west of the community of Oak Harbor. The park's (and the island's), namesake, Joseph Whidbey was a member of the British Royal Navy and accompanied Peter Puget exploring the Puget Sound region before going on to a successful naval engineering career. 

It is a day use only park, open from April 1st to September 30th. While just 206 acres, it's trails run through beach, forest, grassy meadow and marsh areas. The property butts directly up against the large Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on the north side so respect the property boundary and keep in mind there may be some noise from military aircraft if they are flying.

There are two main trail sections — a beach walk which starts from the west side of the main parking lot and a forest/meadow lollypop loop departing from the north side of the main parking lot. The beach walk is approximately 1.5 miles out and back and includes beautiful beach views west of the Olympics, San Juans, Straight of Juan de Fuca and Victora, BC. The forest and meadow section wanders approximately 2 miles through relatively young mixed forest and open grassy meadows east of the beach area.  

Joseph Whidbey State Park

Map & Directions

Getting There

From Highway 20 in Oak Harbor take Swantown Ave/Swantown Rd northwest 2.9 miles until it ends at Crosby Rd.  The main park entrance will be directly in front of you.  The main parking lot has room for about 30 vehicles and a single vault toilet.  There is a second small "lot" to the NE along Crosby Rd though it currently is really just a gravel pull off along the side of the road with room for about a half dozen vehicles.