Camano Island for the landlubber
We came for the water - blue, rolling white caps, skiffs plying Skagit Bay, and a distant dreamy view of the Olympic Mountains. It all comes with the territory here on Camano Island. Touching the water is not necessary to enjoy this multi-faceted island getaway.
What makes Camano Island so inviting is its close proximity to Seattle. It’s hardly a full day trip. It was exactly 36 miles up Interstate 5 from our Bothell home to Stanwood, the small city off the island’s eastern flank. I’m with my children, Aaron, Cecilia, and Marc.
At Stanwood, temptation got the better of me and we chased down a garage sale near the high school. The zeal to find a deal would continue throughout the day. For this reason it was necessary to shop the Spare Room Flea Market located along Highway 532 as you enter the island. Look right for a large metallic chicken and a wide store front filled with rustic lawn decor, planters, wooden tables, and cabinets.
Inside are antiques and specialty items from some 40 vendors. Sue and daughter Nicole have run the shop for fourteen years. It’s where Seattle dealers go for bargains to stock their shelves in the city. Our trip this day called for a circumnavigation of the island. On another day I plan to cross through the center. We’ll keep pushing to the right to stay close to the water and head counter-clockwise around the island, taking whatever detour that comes up.
We veer right at Terry’s Corner onto North Camano Drive for about three miles. Skagit Bay (pronounced ska jit) starts to come into view. We’re looking at the bay through homes, but that’s alright because these homes are gorgeous. For what they pay, they can have the view. Utsalady Road runs to the right and we take it to get closer to the water. In about a 1/4 mile we’re at a boat launch and take time to enjoy the quiet beach.
We don’t make it far before I’m taking yet another right on Maple Grove Road to a boat launch a mile down the road. More water but no parking. We’re greeted by a giant ant creature made of metal plates and scrap welded together. It’s public art Camano Island style. I’m getting the feeling this island attracts eccentric artists who show their work in the oddest places. Before we leave, we pick up a free TV that “Works Great!”
Except for a brief stop at a garage sale, we stay on West Camano Drive to our ultimate destinations; Cama Beach State Park and Camano Island State Park. Both of these are located on the far southwestern tip. The approaching area is heavily forested with homes now hiding behind the wood line. But it’s an inland swamp that catches my eye. It’s muddy, stagnant and seems to have choked the life out of some aged Douglas firs. I can understand why artists come here; even the swamps are picturesque.
We follow the signs to Cama Beach State Park but neglect to pick up a Discovery Pass so we drive through. The pass is $10 for the day and would allow us complete access to the park and its 15 miles of trails. Parking is in tiers with the closest to the beach located by the cafe. It’s Saturday and there are no crowds and those we see are all smiles.
Unable to park without a pass we take whatever road leads us further on. We end up on the Lowell Point Road which leads to the famed Camano Island State Park. The van practically coasts down to a picnic area above the beach. I do spring for the Discovery Pass from a self-service pay booth. It takes cash and checks. My map calls this Camano Island State Park Drive. This portion of the park has a narrow grassy area for barbecues and strolling. Access to the beach is a matter of twenty feet on a dirt trail.
The kids are way ahead along the shoreline looking down, collection shells no doubt. To the west behind some 50 miles of haze, are the Olympic Mountains. Though faint, they rise like trophies for those of us who make it to water’s edge. Camano Island is known for it’s wildlife in the sea, air, and above and below the beach. We discover that underneath many rocks lives the shore crab (Hemigrapsus sp.). They are very small, about the size of a quarter and grow no larger. If they didn’t move around so much, they’d be indistinguishable from the rocky ground. The entire beach is covered with rock and your feet never touch sand.
We find huge clam shells the size of your hand; nicely formed and clean like they were bleached to a pure white. We take a seat on a natural bench of driftwood and admire our find. Further south we witness a group carrying kayaks into the water. In the far distance is a sandy point with man-made structures. There’s more to this park than we realized and we must investigate.
Back on Camano Island State Park Drive, we press farther into the park heading south. The road bisects the campground and eventually leads down to a beach area lined with parked vehicles. To the right is a boat launch.
Whether by design or naturally, the land fronting the beach is flat and grassy. This stretch is to be crossed towards the beach where a narrow strip of land extends the length of the beach. This is filled with driftwood and include picnic tables. This is where families enjoy their beach and views. And it's here that many find their rest and enjoyment of Camano Island.
Satisfied with our discoveries, we begin our exit. Return on Lowell Point Road to Mountain View Road and make the choice to go right along South Camano Drive. This will complete the circumnavigating of the island. The southern tip will come and go in the rear view mirror. You’ll be on East Camano Drive for the way back to Terry’s Corner and out to Stanwood on Highway 532.
Aaron insisted that we have a sit down lunch at a Mexican restaurant. In Stanwood? Yes, there are several. It was the colorful signage of the Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant that grabbed our attention. Its location on Lane Road is visible from Highway 532.
Though mostly empty of diners I came to find out this is quite the popular restaurant in Stanwood with good Yelp reviews. Eat before 3:00 p.m. and enjoy discounted prices. My chicken burrito smothered with sauce, beans, and rice and the taco plate the kids each had went for a mere $7.95. Aaron, who insisted on Mexican food, had a hamburger. With soda drinks, my total was $40.53. Prepare for prices to double after 3:00 p.m. Then again, dinner offerings are more plentiful and elaborate. It’s casual dining with nice touches in the decor and food that could have only come from a native Mexican.
Camano Island’s high season is spring and summer. I suggest doing yourself a favor and find reasons to return. I enjoyed the occasional garage sale and discovering the state parks. The roads are passive if
not pastoral. Local residents would appreciate you going the speed limit which can be as high as 50 MPH. However, there is passing in some places. The roads are two way. I avoid areas that are posted as private. Chasing a garage sale enabled my family and I to take private drives with peace of mind. Beach access is limited but plentiful if you know where to go. On my next trip I’ll patronize a local merchant. I hear they’re friendly.
Cama Beach State Park
1880 S.W. Camano Dr.
Camano Island, WA 98282
Phone: (360) 387-1550
Hours
8:00 a.m. - dusk
The park is open year-round.
Camano Island State Park
2269 S. Lowell Point Road
Camano Island, WA 98282
Phone: (360)387-3031
Hours
Summer
6:30 a.m. - dusk
Winter
8:00 a.m. - dusk
The park is open year-round for camping and day-use. Some campsites are closed in winter.
Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant
9200 271st St NW
Stanwood, WA 98292
(360) 629-5227
What makes Camano Island so inviting is its close proximity to Seattle. It’s hardly a full day trip. It was exactly 36 miles up Interstate 5 from our Bothell home to Stanwood, the small city off the island’s eastern flank. I’m with my children, Aaron, Cecilia, and Marc.
At Stanwood, temptation got the better of me and we chased down a garage sale near the high school. The zeal to find a deal would continue throughout the day. For this reason it was necessary to shop the Spare Room Flea Market located along Highway 532 as you enter the island. Look right for a large metallic chicken and a wide store front filled with rustic lawn decor, planters, wooden tables, and cabinets.
Inside are antiques and specialty items from some 40 vendors. Sue and daughter Nicole have run the shop for fourteen years. It’s where Seattle dealers go for bargains to stock their shelves in the city. Our trip this day called for a circumnavigation of the island. On another day I plan to cross through the center. We’ll keep pushing to the right to stay close to the water and head counter-clockwise around the island, taking whatever detour that comes up.
We veer right at Terry’s Corner onto North Camano Drive for about three miles. Skagit Bay (pronounced ska jit) starts to come into view. We’re looking at the bay through homes, but that’s alright because these homes are gorgeous. For what they pay, they can have the view. Utsalady Road runs to the right and we take it to get closer to the water. In about a 1/4 mile we’re at a boat launch and take time to enjoy the quiet beach.
We don’t make it far before I’m taking yet another right on Maple Grove Road to a boat launch a mile down the road. More water but no parking. We’re greeted by a giant ant creature made of metal plates and scrap welded together. It’s public art Camano Island style. I’m getting the feeling this island attracts eccentric artists who show their work in the oddest places. Before we leave, we pick up a free TV that “Works Great!”
Except for a brief stop at a garage sale, we stay on West Camano Drive to our ultimate destinations; Cama Beach State Park and Camano Island State Park. Both of these are located on the far southwestern tip. The approaching area is heavily forested with homes now hiding behind the wood line. But it’s an inland swamp that catches my eye. It’s muddy, stagnant and seems to have choked the life out of some aged Douglas firs. I can understand why artists come here; even the swamps are picturesque.
We follow the signs to Cama Beach State Park but neglect to pick up a Discovery Pass so we drive through. The pass is $10 for the day and would allow us complete access to the park and its 15 miles of trails. Parking is in tiers with the closest to the beach located by the cafe. It’s Saturday and there are no crowds and those we see are all smiles.
Unable to park without a pass we take whatever road leads us further on. We end up on the Lowell Point Road which leads to the famed Camano Island State Park. The van practically coasts down to a picnic area above the beach. I do spring for the Discovery Pass from a self-service pay booth. It takes cash and checks. My map calls this Camano Island State Park Drive. This portion of the park has a narrow grassy area for barbecues and strolling. Access to the beach is a matter of twenty feet on a dirt trail.
The kids are way ahead along the shoreline looking down, collection shells no doubt. To the west behind some 50 miles of haze, are the Olympic Mountains. Though faint, they rise like trophies for those of us who make it to water’s edge. Camano Island is known for it’s wildlife in the sea, air, and above and below the beach. We discover that underneath many rocks lives the shore crab (Hemigrapsus sp.). They are very small, about the size of a quarter and grow no larger. If they didn’t move around so much, they’d be indistinguishable from the rocky ground. The entire beach is covered with rock and your feet never touch sand.
We find huge clam shells the size of your hand; nicely formed and clean like they were bleached to a pure white. We take a seat on a natural bench of driftwood and admire our find. Further south we witness a group carrying kayaks into the water. In the far distance is a sandy point with man-made structures. There’s more to this park than we realized and we must investigate.
Back on Camano Island State Park Drive, we press farther into the park heading south. The road bisects the campground and eventually leads down to a beach area lined with parked vehicles. To the right is a boat launch.
Whether by design or naturally, the land fronting the beach is flat and grassy. This stretch is to be crossed towards the beach where a narrow strip of land extends the length of the beach. This is filled with driftwood and include picnic tables. This is where families enjoy their beach and views. And it's here that many find their rest and enjoyment of Camano Island.
Satisfied with our discoveries, we begin our exit. Return on Lowell Point Road to Mountain View Road and make the choice to go right along South Camano Drive. This will complete the circumnavigating of the island. The southern tip will come and go in the rear view mirror. You’ll be on East Camano Drive for the way back to Terry’s Corner and out to Stanwood on Highway 532.
Aaron insisted that we have a sit down lunch at a Mexican restaurant. In Stanwood? Yes, there are several. It was the colorful signage of the Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant that grabbed our attention. Its location on Lane Road is visible from Highway 532.
Though mostly empty of diners I came to find out this is quite the popular restaurant in Stanwood with good Yelp reviews. Eat before 3:00 p.m. and enjoy discounted prices. My chicken burrito smothered with sauce, beans, and rice and the taco plate the kids each had went for a mere $7.95. Aaron, who insisted on Mexican food, had a hamburger. With soda drinks, my total was $40.53. Prepare for prices to double after 3:00 p.m. Then again, dinner offerings are more plentiful and elaborate. It’s casual dining with nice touches in the decor and food that could have only come from a native Mexican.
Camano Island’s high season is spring and summer. I suggest doing yourself a favor and find reasons to return. I enjoyed the occasional garage sale and discovering the state parks. The roads are passive if
not pastoral. Local residents would appreciate you going the speed limit which can be as high as 50 MPH. However, there is passing in some places. The roads are two way. I avoid areas that are posted as private. Chasing a garage sale enabled my family and I to take private drives with peace of mind. Beach access is limited but plentiful if you know where to go. On my next trip I’ll patronize a local merchant. I hear they’re friendly.Cama Beach State Park
1880 S.W. Camano Dr.
Camano Island, WA 98282
Phone: (360) 387-1550
Hours
8:00 a.m. - dusk
The park is open year-round.
Camano Island State Park
2269 S. Lowell Point Road
Camano Island, WA 98282
Phone: (360)387-3031
Hours
Summer
6:30 a.m. - dusk
Winter
8:00 a.m. - dusk
The park is open year-round for camping and day-use. Some campsites are closed in winter.
Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant
9200 271st St NW
Stanwood, WA 98292
(360) 629-5227
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