Enjoyable weekend exploring easy trails on Camano Island. Despite a depressing amount of private no-trespassing beaches, there still lots to do for a weekend, particularly for families, and/or groups of mixed abilities.
We based ourselves at Cama Beach State Park:
- Simple, but heated historic cabins, many being just feet from the water
- Lug gear 100' down from Cafe, or take shuttle ( if available )
- Enjoyed drinking coffee, and watching a parade of seals, loons, and other seabirds go by
- Nice sunsets over the Olympics and Whidbey
Trails in no particular order...
Cama Beach State Park Trails:
- From Cabins ascended to...
- Bluff trail, Marine Loop, Cranberry Lake, then lunch at the Cafe
- Very nice forest, with ocean views at times
- Cranberry lake very pleasant
- The loop was probably our favorite of the hikes
- Accessible by most, albeit the Big Leaf Maple leaves can be slippery
Camano Island State Park:
- Pleasant, well sorted, pebble-ly beach
- Easier walking on beach crest
- Nice views to E, then S, then W as you work around Lowell Spit
Elger Bay Trust Land:
- Short nature trail past marsh and beaver pond
- Then pleasant forest walk
- Parking is on side of road near corner of Elger Bay Road and East Dry Lake Road
Iverson Nature Preserve:
- Nice views out over Livingston bay and the North Cascades in the distance
- "Back" part of loop can be a tad wet, but 'boardwalk' sections makes easy
- Definitely check out the Hobbit Trail unless you have a fear of Gnomes!
Barnum Point County Park:
- Did this last time in the area, not far from Iverson Preserve
- Start at large new lot, through nice forest, and eventually returning via old farm land with views South
English Boom Trail County Park:
- Great place to watch Mt Baker and North cascades go rosy in the fading light
- Wander along the nature path, or just wander the beach eastward
Leque Island Wildlife Area:
- Recently restored marshland
- Smooth gravel path, suitable for all
- 270 degree view W to the Olympics, E to the Cascades, and S to the bay
- Nice way to spend 15-30 mins stretching the legs
Miscellaneous:
- Still haven't touched the largest park, the Camano Island Forest Park
- Onamac Point is private, no access
- If open, the ( commercial ) Matzke sculpture garden was worth checking out
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