Clammers will hit Holmes Harbor for the first time in eight years this spring. To access the island, you avail of a ferry service or opt for a scenic drive from Mount Vernon. He contacted Charles Ehlert, a young Seattle environmental law attorney, who filed a landmark lawsuit Noel v. Cole. Luxury forest yurt on a working farm (from USD 100) Show all photos. The Pacific Northwest is well known for having big rain seasons, and camping in the rain is not especially pleasant! Public land owned by the state or federal government are typically your best options for dispersed camping; this includes forests and areas managed by the US Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Luxury forest yurt on a working farm (from USD 100), 2. On top of that kayaks and canoes can be rented from the concession stand at Bowman Bay. Dispersed camping is legal for 14 days within a 30-day period in the same location. 6325 Double Bluff Rd, Freeland, Whidbey Island, WA 98249-9567. Fishing, Clamming, Crabbing - Whidbey and Camano Islands Learn More How many clams are allowed to dig in Washington state? Between November and April, the rain is much higher, humidity is high, and the temperature drops significantly, ranging from 3C to 11C. There are multiple other trails that you can connect to if you want a longer hike, including Fern Gully and Ridge Loop Trails. Anchor & Hope SF was created with the goal of providing people with accurate and reliable information about seafood. All of our products are completely traceable, ensuring your customers they are buying the safest, highest-quality seafood available. Although State Parks cannot be responsible for the jet noise, we do share visitor concerns with representatives of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Fort Ebey was a World War II coastal defense fort that now serves as a state park and campground. 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). DNR-100 (Whidbey Island) Clam, mussel, and oyster seasons OPEN for harvest year-round. What better way than camping! Cozy tent in the middle of the woods (from USD 105), 6 Best Dinner Cruises In Seattle, Washington, 8 Best Glamping Spots Near Big Bend National Park, Texas - Updated 2023, Top 11 Glamping Spots In Colombia - Updated 2023, 9 Best Spots For Glamping In Korea - Updated 2023, Top 2 Spa Resorts In Taupo, New Zealand - Updated 2023, 10 Best Airbnb Plus Rentals In Florida, USA - Updated 2023, 4 Best Glamping Spots Near Rose Lake, Ohio - Updated 2023, 10 Best Glamping Spots On The Island of Hawai'i, USA - Updated 2023, 2 Best Farm Stays In Pune, India - Updated 2023. So you get a great opportunity to watch the whales pass by for quite some time. What better way than camping! Our Phone Number: (360) 331-4887. It will inspire you with art pieces that are intricately designed and encourage you to unleash the artist in you using the watercolors, pastels, journaling paper, and musical instruments provided. 100% 3 Reviews. Holmes Harbor was closed to shellfish harvesting in March 2007 with the formation of the Holmes Harbor Shellfish Protection District. Not only do we explain why we love each place, we also detail what makes each campground unique, the facilities there, and whats close by to each. No matter where you go on Whidbey Island, youll be sure to find some great hiking trails, and in most situations, your dog can come with you on a leash. You can also harvest mussels in the nearby Twin Lagoons year-round. Great beach for Clamming - Review of Double Bluff County - Tripadvisor 1. The sheer size, bio-diversity, and beauty of this state park are enough to put it on this list. And some of the best places to whale watch from shore include: West Beach is one of the best places to whale watch as it provides a clear view for miles! There are a range of other activities at the park, including 25 miles of hiking and biking trails. There is a park office that sells firewood, ice, snacks, and a range of other items for you to check out too. The recreational beaches of Island County offer a wealth of shellfish for you and your family to gather and enjoy. 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. Dugualla State Park is a much quieter area and has a 5-mile loop of trails that take you to the beach, through the forest, and back. Bait is a more effective fishing technique when fishing for clams in New World waters, particularly in shallow water. By clicking I Agree you expressly consent our use of cookies. I created this blog because of my love for seafood and my desire to share that love with others. They want to know where it comes from, how it was caught and processed and whether it comes from sustainable fisheries. This beach is known for its large number of clams and its easy digging conditions. Prices will vary each month depending on number of classes offered. Monofilament recovery and recycling program. There is also a record player for those who are into the classic way of enjoying music. Address: 400 Hill Valley Dr., Coupeville, WA 98239. Enterococcus is part of the normal intestinal flora of humans and animals, which means the contributor could be nothing more than wildlife. Be that in nature or immersed in history. Even watching the paragliders jump off and glide can be an amazing sight. Youll be waking up to the sound of birds, and going to sleep with stars above your head after an activity filled day in nature. more. There are several outfitters that incorporate digging during a boating or whale watching tour around the San Juan Islands in Puget Sound. The second section is a narrow beach that can be used by boat to catch clams. Classes are held at Double Bluff County Park ( Getting to the Water's Edge site #44), one of Whidbey Island's best clamming beaches. 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. Exact property boundaries are not clearly identifiable in the field. In Washington, you can purchase a permit, check toxin levels, and plan your trip online at the states Department of Fish and Wildlife. Washington Shellfish Digging - Go-Wyoming.com It was especially present in wrack, the often smelly carpet of seaweed/organic material that collects on the beach at Freeland Park. Automated pay station:This park is equipped with an automated pay station for visitors to purchase a one-day or annual Discover Pass. Penn Cove is an extra special location as its filled with sea life, including ghost shrimp and seals which makes it a favorite feeding ground for whales and orcas looking for a snack! Some of those reside in state parks while others are in privately owned.. To help out, weve picked our six favorite Whidbey Island camping options for you to review. But you can even whale watch from the shore and spot grey whales and orcas. We also use third party cookies for advertising and analytics purposes. The best place to dig clams on Whidbey Island is at Double Bluff Beach. Fort Townsend State Park. Whidbey has around 20 campgrounds and RV parks for you to choose from spread throughout the island. West Whidbey Island Butter Clams and Varnish Clams Saratoga Passage and Possession Sound, including Utsalady Bay, Penn Cove and Holmes Harbor . 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 There are more than 40 public clam and oyster beaches on Whidbey and Camano Islands. The campsites are also spacious and feel very private thanks to all the forest and trees you will be surrounded by. DNR-142 (Whidbey Island) - Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife It was originally a coastal defense fort in World War II. Shellfish - Island County, Washington There is also a park store that provides camping essentials such as firewood, ice, snacks, water, and a range of other items. The property offers a remote experience, having no electricity. And if you want to go crab hunting for your dinner, there are excellent spots on the beach. BIOLOGISTS SAID they hope to discover whats happening through studies and testing. North Whidbey RV Park provides 100 full hookup sites, and each campsite has a concrete pad, picnic table, and fire pit. The park is actually located on two islands Fidalgo to the north and Whidbey to the south. Well we know this area well, and so want to share with you everything we know about the island. For the first time in years, commercial geoduck harvesting is under way in Langley. Noel rallied the community, and a group called Save the Trees was formed to support the effort. 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. DNR-142 (Whidbey Island) Clam, mussel, and oyster seasons CLOSED for harvest year-round. You deserve an escape from the day to day. A Local's Guide To Whidbey Island Camping: Best Campgrounds, Dispersed Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains an interactive map and list of the locations along with seasons and other regulations. 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 probably the most scenic of the Whidbey island parks. Fishing, Clamming, Crabbing Whether you're a freshwater or saltwater fishing enthusiast, the islands are alive with seafood! The best time to see whales around Whidbey Island is between March and May for grey whales, and May to October for orcas. 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. No shellfish gathering in the state of Washington is complete without digging for the geoduck, the "King of the Clams." This bivalve can grow to almost 2 pounds, and can live for well over a hundred years. This yurt is surrounded by tall coniferous trees, making you feel secluded in nature. The island has a wide variety of beaches to choose from, each with its own unique benefits for clamming. You can try broadening your search by changing some of the filters or move and zoom-out into the map to show more results. South Whidbey Island State Park - All You Need to Know - Tripadvisor The land that is now South Whidbey State Park was originally set aside as school trust land held by the Washington Department of Natural Resources on behalf of the University of Washington. 100% 10 Reviews. Clams and mussels may be found at many of these beaches and may be collected and consumed safely throughout the year. 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. On top of that the entire campground has free WiFi! This guide will tell you everything you need to know about where to go clamming on Whidbey Island, what kind of clams you can find, and what to do with them once youve caught them. The Arts Artists flock to Whidbey and Camano Islands for inspiration. County workers and the community worked to clean up the watershed, identify problem septic systems and launched initiatives such as a campaign to pick up dog waste at Freeland Park. It was a little bit of a rude shock, Speck said during a telephone interview. Camping and then catching the sunrise over those bridges is spectacular, and an absolute must if you do choose to stay here. This presents a pretty exciting opportunity, she said. Located a little over 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Seattle and the biggest island in Washington state, Whidbey Island awaits you for your next big outdoor adventure. In 1963, State Parks purchased the park's first 85 acres on the west side of Smuggler's Cove Road. Those guided tours are not only fun, but super interesting too. 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. 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. Seasons, limits, and methods for catching crabs vary by season and location. Rugged cliffs drop to meet the turbulent waters of Deception Pass. Our network of West Coast and Pacific Northwest fisheries use sustainable and traceable methods to guarantee quality from catch to table. However, the host makes sure that you have enough water and that all your needs are met. That means you can spend more time exploring the island, spotting native wildlife, visiting the plethora of artisans living on Whidbey, and enjoying some of the famous Whidbey Island mussels and other fantastic seafood that this place is known for. Rhododendron Park is just down the path, and it provides a range of hiking trails through a rhododendron forest, which looks spectacular during the annual spring bloom. It's home to many miles of hiking trails featuring beaches, views, old growth trees and more. Please try again with another location or different dates. Exact property boundaries are not clearly identifiable in the field. See our privacy policy for more information on how we use your data. Address: 20265 SR 20, Coupeville, WA 98239. You can hike, or fish the many beaches, or stroll the many walking-friendly shopping venues featuring a variety of restaurants to please anyone. As an Amazon Associate and Booking.com partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Our seafood is flash frozen on-board, ensuring our customers that they are purchasing the safe and quality product. Things to Do on Whidbey and Camano Islands The roads and pads are concrete for easy manoeuvrability too. It was finally transferred to State Parks in 1991. If youre looking for a permit, you can pick it up at Bucks Northwest in town. The best time to dig for clams is during the low tide. 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. The fire must be a minimum of 25 feet from any timber, structures, or power lines. 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.