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Washington
12

Washington State Parks

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USA Parks
Washington
The Islands Region
Spencer Spit State Park
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Spencer Spit State Park © gia parsons
Spencer Spit State Park Kelp collecting © gia parsons
Spencer Spit State Park Spencer Spit © gia parsons
Spencer Spit State Park Fresh shellfish at Spencer Spit © gia parsons
Spencer Spit State Park © gia parsons
Spencer Spit State Park Homestead House © gia parsons
Inside this little house is an amazing story board about the family that homesteaded Spencer spit.
Spencer Spit State Park © gia parsons
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SPENCER SPIT STATE PARK
SPENCER SPIT STATE PARK
521 A. Bakerview Road
Lopez Island, Washington   98261

Reservations: 888-226-7688
Spencer Spit State Park is a 138-acre marine and camping park situated on Lopez Island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The park is named for the lagoon-enclosing sand spit on which it rests. The park has a reputation for excellent crabbing, clamming and "car-top boating." This is one of the few state parks in the San Juan Islands that is accessible by automobile. A sand spit encloses a saltchuck lagoon.

Park hours/updates:

Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.Winter: Closed Oct. 30, reopens March 14.

Camping: Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.Check-out time, 1 p.m.Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Nature of the Area
Wildlife Mammals Birds Fish & Sea Life? Chipmunks? Deer or Elk? Otters? Rabbits? Raccoons? Squirrels? Crows or Ravens? Ducks? Eagles? Geese? Gulls? Hawks? Herons? Hummingbirds? Ospreys? Owls? Woodpeckers? Wrens ? Clams? Crabs? Sea Birds? Seals? Shellfish? Cod? Perch? Salmon? Shark

Environmental Features Physical Features Plant Life Special

Spencer Spit is an example of a sandspit enclosing a saltchuck lagoon. The spit was formed over a long period of time by the action of wind and tide. The spit is constantly changing. Eventually, it could fill with sediment and lose all its water.

? Cedar? Douglas Fir? Hemlock? Yew? Alder? Apple? Cherry? Maple? Foxglove? Rose? Berries? Eel Grass? Ferns? Moss or Lichens? Seaweed? Thistle The stone cellar of the old Spencer house can be seen near the spit. A replica of the original log cabin built by the Spencers for guests is out on the tip of the spit.
History of the Area
As Native American tribes migrated up and down the coast, they stopped at Spencer Spit to clam, crab and fish before moving on. Native American activity continued until 1946.

Spencer Spit was homesteaded in the late 1800s by a family named Troxell. It was eventually sold to the Spencers who lived on the property for 50 years. State Parks bought the property in 1967.

Passes
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.
Camping
The park has 37 tent spaces, one dump station and two restrooms. There are no showers or hookups. Seven hiker/biker sites are available, as well as Cascadia Marine Trail sites. Most of the park's tent sites are large and private. Seven walk-in beach sites have limited privacy. Campers may enter the grounds until 10 p.m. To reserve a campsite, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

The park provides two group camps. The large one accommodates up to 50 people and has ten walk-in sites with a large grassy common area. The small group camp accommodates up to 20 people and has three walk-in sites, one of which is an adirondack (three-sided) shelter with eight bunks. Fees vary with size of the group. To reserve, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.Length of stay: You may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park during the summer; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
Park Store
Available in the park Available in the area ? Camping? Auto repair? Airport? Boat rental? Camping? Diesel? Fishing/hunting? Gasoline? Gifts? Golf? Groceries? Hardware? Hospital? Marine supplies? Overnight Accommodations? Pay phone? Postal service? Propane? Wood? Swimming

The island is serviced by Lopez Island Medical Center.
Boating
There are 12 mooring buoys on the Cascadia Marine Trail.

Moorage fees are charged year round for mooring at docks, floats and buoys from 1 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Moorage permits are available at parks offering moorage. For information, call (360) 902-8844.



Picnicking
The park provides two kitchen shelters without electricity and 15 unsheltered picnic tables. The kitchen shelter includes four picnic tables, a barbecue grill and fire pit. Water is available nearby. Picnic tables with fire pits are located on the spit, and the beach site has six picnic tables. To reserve, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
Trails
1. Spencer Spit Loop Trail: This is a 2-mile loop trail that offers scenic views of the spit and surrounding water bodies. It's an easy hike suitable for all skill levels.

2. South Beach Trail: A short, half-a-mile long path leading to the south beach area with beautiful vistas of Mount Baker on clear days.

3. North Beach Access Pathway: Another brief walk from camping areas towards north beach providing stunning sunset views over Lopez Sound.

4. Lagoon Point Hiking Route: An approximately one mile round trip route offering panoramic sights across Swifts Bay and Thatcher Pass along its course through dense forested regions in park's interior parts.

5. Spencer Spit Nature Walk: A self-guided nature tour featuring interpretive signs about local flora, fauna, geology as well as cultural history; it winds around lagoons before reaching sandy beaches at either end of spit.

6. Forest Trails Network: Several interconnected trails crisscrossing throughout wooded sections within park boundaries allowing hikers to explore diverse ecosystems including wetlands, meadows etc., while also connecting various campgrounds together.

7. Bird Watching Paths: These are not specific paths but rather entire network can be used by bird enthusiasts who wish observe numerous species inhabiting this state park such as bald eagles or great blue heron among others.

8. Tide Pool Exploration Area: Located near both ends where sand bars extend into sea during low tide revealing fascinating marine life forms like starfishes, clams etc.; these aren't traditional hiking routes per se yet they offer unique exploration opportunities nonetheless.

9. Kayak Launch Site Pathways: Short pathways leading down to designated kayak launch sites which provide access points for paddling adventures around nearby islands besides regular walking activities.
Area Attractions
Trails Water Activities Other ? 2 mi. Hiking Trails? Boating (saltwater)? Diving? Fishing (saltwater)? Swimming(saltwater)?Clamming?Crabbing?Beachcombing? Bird Watching? 1 Fire Circle? Wildlife Viewing

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
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Area Campgrounds
Fidalgo Bay Resort
4701 Fidalgo Bay Road
Anacortes, WA
Pioneer Trails RV Resort & Campground
7337 Miller Road
Anacortes, WA
888-777-5355
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Located on Lopez Island in the San Juan Island cluster, a 45-minute ferry ride from Anacortes, Wash.

From the ferry : Follow Ferry Rd. Go left at Center Rd., then left at Cross Rd. Turn right at Port Stanley and left at Bakerview Rd. Follow Bakerview Rd. straight into park.

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Washington
12

Washington State Parks

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