Hours may fluctuate. For detailed hours of operation, please contact the store directly.
About South Whidbey State Park
South Whidbey State Park is a 381-acre nature preserve along the western edge of Whidbey Island, home to some of the last old-growth forest in the region. The park was saved from clear-cutting in the 1970s thanks to grassroots activism, and now shelters centuries-old Douglas firs, Sitka spruces, big leaf maples, and western redcedars. Hiking trails wind through a lush understory of salal, salmonberry, and thimbleberry, with sunlight filtering through moss-draped bigleaf maples. While the popular Bluff Trail to the beach has suffered erosion, overlooks offer expansive views of the Olympic Mountains. Bald eagles, herons, and hawks are frequently spotted. Inland trails like the Wilbert and Maple Grove loops pass by towering ancient trees and massive stumps. The park's former campground has been closed due to safety concerns, making it a day-use only destination. This has lent the forest a more meditative, less recreational atmosphere, well-suited for birding, quiet walks, and contemplation. Compared to rainforests further north, South Whidbey's weathered, wind-shaped landscape has a more subdued, sun-dappled character, carrying the mingled scents of sea and cedar. Just a short distance from the Keystone ferry, the park offers excellent opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and connecting with an older, slower-paced vision of the Pacific Northwest coast.
You feel like you are in Jurassic Park here. The dense, lush, evergreen forest is punctuated by an occasional clearing only to remind you that the sun is still there. The paths are well maintained and, for the most part, level. There's an abundance of ferns, birds and slugs. There's a $10 day use fee.
June 2026
Loved they had picnic tables throughout and trails well laid out
June 2026
Went there early weekday morning during the summer. Watch out for the spider webs and mosquitoes. Make sure to be prepared!
