Moran: All Content
Park overview:
Moran State Park is a 5,252-acre camping park with five freshwater lakes and over 30 miles of hiking trails. Atop the 2,409-foot-high Mt. Constitution, the highest point on the San Juan Islands, there stands a stone observation tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936. The tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands, the Cascade Mountains and a variety of Canadian and American cities.Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page.
Park hours/updates:
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk. Some campsites are closed in winter.
The park is open year round for camping and day use
Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Current alerts:
Agency information:
Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.
The Discover Pass now can be used on either of two vehicles!Annual pass: $30
One-day pass: $10
(Transaction and dealer fees may apply)
A Discover Pass is required for motor-vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Exemptions: Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, the Discover Pass is not required if you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, for the duration of your stay at that state park. For additional exemptions and more information, please visit the Discover Pass website.
Campsite Information:
The park has 151 tent spaces, one dump station, five restrooms (one ADA) and 10 showers (two ADA). No electric hookup sites are available at the park. Campsites are located in five different camping areas.Northend camp area is located closest to the entrance, across the road from the day-use and swim beach area. Several of these sites provide a great deal of privacy.
Midway camp area is near the Cascade Lake boat launch with 12 of the sites located on the shore of the lake. The remaining Midway sites are across the road from the lake, but several offer nice views.
The Southend camp area is the most popular with almost all of the sites located right along the shoreline. This area has one ADA-compliant campsite and restroom facility.
Mountain Lake camp area is located one mile up Mount Constitution Rd. on the shores of Mountain Lake, the largest lake in the park. For those who arrive by bicycle or on foot, 15 primitive campsites are located on the road to Mount Constitution.
Maximum site length is 45 feet (may have limited availability). Certain areas and campsites will not fit large RVs or motorhomes. To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
Group Accommodations:
Mountain Lake group camp accommodates up to 56 people, 14 vehicles and has a restroom nearby. No showers. To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.2013 camping fees:
Please note that the following general fee information is not customized for each individual park, so not all fees will apply to all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations).May 15 – Sept. 15 (peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $23 non-premium site, $26 premium site
Partial-utility campsite*: $30 non-premium site, $35 premium site
Full-utility campsite*: $32 non-premium site, $37 premium site
*Please note: Camping fees during the 2013 peak season are $28 for partial-utility sites and $29 for full-utility sites at Beacon Rock, Lewis & Clark and Schafer state parks. These parks are first come, first served.
Jan. 1 – May 14 and Sept. 16 – Dec. 31 (off-peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $22 for non-premium and premium sites
Partial-utility campsite: $28 for non-premium and premium sites
Full-utility campsite: $29 for non-premium and premium sites
Maximum eight people per campsite.
Second vehicle: $10 per night is charged for a second vehicle unless it is towed by a recreational vehicle. Extra vehicles must be parked in designated campsite or extra vehicle parking spaces.
Dump stations (if available): Year-round dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.
More about park hours
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 from April 1 through Sept. 30; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
Driving Directions
Located five miles south of Eastsound, Wash. in San Juan County.Park address:
3572 Olga Road
Olga, WA 98279
From I-5:
Take Hwy. 20 exit westbound to Anacortes. Follow signs to San Juan/ Sidney, B.C. ferries. Take ferry to Orcas Island. Turn left after exiting the ferry, and follow signs to Moran State Park (approximately 14 miles).
Park Maps
To view campsites and facilities reservable at this park, visit the reservation system and campsite maps.
Moran downloadable pdf map #1List of all downloadable Washington State Park PDF maps.
Park Features
A tower provides spectacular views of the surrounding Canadian and American terrain, including the Olympic Mountains. The park also features more than 30 miles of trails, five lakes and several waterfalls, an old growth forest and a lodge pole pine forest.
History
Moran State Park opened in 1921 when Robert Moran, shipbuilder and former mayor of Seattle, donated more than 2,700 acres to the state for a park. Most of the trails, roads, bridges, and buildings in the park were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s. The builders used native materials on site to construct the many stone and wooden shelters and buildings.Interpretive opportunities
There is a short, self-guided interpretive trail near the kitchen shelter in the day-use area. Interpretive displays in the observation tower on Mount Constitution tell the story of Robert Moran and the Civilian Conservation Corps. Camp Moran, the Environmental Learning Center, is available for group and family rentals by calling (800) 360-4240 or (360) 902-8600.Services/Supplies
| Available in the park | Available in the area |
| • Boat rentals • Camping • Pay phone • Fire wood | • Auto repair • Airport • Boat rental • Camping • Diesel • Fishing/hunting • Gasoline • Gifts • Golf • Groceries • Hardware • Horse rental • Marine supplies • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone • Postal service • Propane • Recreational equipment • White gas • Wood • Swimming |
Boat rentals run Memorial weekend to Labor Day. There is a snack bar located at the Cascade Lake swim area and a gift shop is located at the summit of Mount Constitution.
There is a medical clinic in Eastsound, open on weekdays.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
| • 38 mi. Hiking Trails • 11 mi. Bike Trails • 6 mi. Horse Trails | • Boating (freshwater, non-motorized) • 2 boat ramps (freshwater) • Fishing (freshwater) • Swimming (freshwater) | • Bird Watching • 1 Fire Circle • Interpretive Activities • Mountain Biking • Wildlife Viewing |
A snack bar and boat rentals are available Memorial Day through Labor Day. Certain bike trails are closed seasonally. Eleven miles are open year-round, and September 15 to May 15 there are 25 miles open to bicycle use. Cascade Lake is stocked yearly by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Species include rainbow, cutthroat and kokanee trout. A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website. | ||
Events
The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:
Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
| Events | ||
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| Daily through Labor Day | Fun with the Friends of Moran: Kids activities are offered daily at the Summit Learning Center. Explore the 90 gallon tank filled with Kokanee fish from Moran Creek Hatchery, compare arm length to a bald eagle’s wingspan, discover migration cycles of the rough skinned newt and play matching games. Visit www.friendsofmoran.com for more information. |
Moran (360) 376-2326 |
| July 27 | Art in the Parks – Painting in the Parks Art Show: Celebrate the centennial of Washington State Parks with the Plein Air Washington Artists and the Friends of Moran. Explore the state parks of Washington through the works of participating Painting in the Parks artists and works by local artists. Presented by the Plein Air Washington Artists and the Friends of Moran. For more information, visit www.pleinairwashington.com. |
Moran (360) 376-2326 |
Boating Features
The park provides two boat ramps. No internal combustion engines are allowed.A daily watercraft launching permit for $7 and a trailer dumping permit for $5 is available at the park.
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
The park provides two kitchen shelters with and two without electricity, plus six sheltered and 55 unsheltered picnic tables. Most facilities are available first come, first served.The log kitchen shelter located at the Cascade Lake swim area is reservable. It includes stone fireplace, wood grill, sink, electrical outlets and lights. Capacity is 100 people. To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. NOTE: Parking for this shelter is shared with swim beach users and may fill up on summer days from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
| • Minks • Otters • Rabbits • Raccoons • Squirrels | • Crows or Ravens • Ducks • Eagles • Geese • Grouse • Gulls • Hawks • Herons • Hummingbirds • Jays • Ospreys • Owls • Swans • Woodpeckers • Wrens | • Bass • Trout |
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | Plant Life | ||
| Mount Constitution at 2,409 feet is the highest point in the San Juan Islands. The steep, winding road leading to the top is well worth the trip. | • Cedar • Douglas Fir • Hemlock • Spruce • Yew • Alder • Apple • Cherry • Maple • Foxglove • Lupines • Paintbrush • Berries • Ferns • Moss or Lichens • Thistle |
Park photo gallery
