Park overview:
Joseph Whidbey State Park is a 112-acre day-use park with 3,100 feet of saltwater shoreline on the Strait of Juan De Fuca in northern Puget Sound. The scenery is beautiful, views are magnificent, wildlife is everywhere and the beach is one of the grandest on Whidbey Island.
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: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: Closed Oct. 1, reopens April 1.
Winter Schedule for all Washington State Parks
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:
This is a day-use park, but one water trail campsite is available only to campers who arrive at the park by human-powered watercraft. The campsite is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and a
primitive camping fee applies. There is one restroom (ADA).
Driving Directions
Located three miles west of Oak Harbor, Wash. in Island County.
Park address:
395 North Fort Ebey Road
Coupeville, WA 98239
From the north:
Drive north on Hwy. 20 through Oak Harbor. Just past town, turn right on Swantown Rd. and follow it about three miles.
From the south:
Drive north on Hwy. 20. Just before Oak Harbor, turn left on Swantown Rd. and follow it about three miles.
Park Maps
Joseph Whidbey downloadable pdf map #1
List of all downloadable Washington State Park
maps.
Park Features
This forested park on Puget Sound provides magnificent views, natural beauty, and beach opportunities.
History
The park and other island features were named during the Vancouver Expedition of 1792. Master Joseph Whidbey circumnavigated the island, and Vancouver named it in his honor.
Interpretive opportunities
There are currently no interpretive opportunities at this park.
Services/Supplies
| | Available in the area |
| | • Auto repair
• Airport
• Camping
• Diesel
• Fishing/hunting
• Gasoline
• Gifts
• Golf
• Groceries
• Hardware
• Hospital
• Marine supplies
• Overnight Accommodations
• Pay phone
• Postal service
• Propane
• Recreational equipment
• White gas
• Wood
• Swimming
|
Oak Harbor is about three miles away from the park with most services available.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
• 0.5 mi. ADA Hiking Trails
| • Personal Watercraft (saltwater)
• Crabbing
| • Beach Exploration
• Bird Watching
• 2 Fire Circles
|
There are two large grass fields in the park. Nets can be put up, or games can be played on the grass.
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
Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free. The Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park on ten designated free days in 2013.
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.
Full list of
events at Washington State Parks
Boating Features
Most non-motorized activities are available.
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
The park offers one kitchen shelter, reservable by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688 (ask for the kitchen shelter on Fort Ebey's inventory). Four sheltered and nine unsheltered picnic tables are available first come, first served.
Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
• Chipmunks
• Deer or Elk
• Rabbits
• Raccoons
• Squirrels
| • Crows or Ravens
• Doves or Pigeons
• Ducks
• Eagles
• Geese
• Gulls
• Hawks
• Herons
• Hummingbirds
• Jays
• Owls
• Woodpeckers
• Wrens
| • Crabs
• Sea Birds
• Seals
|
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | | Plant Life | |
| | • Cedar
• Douglas Fir
• Hemlock
• Alder
• Lupines
• Rhododendron
• Rose
• Berries
• Ferns
• Moss or Lichens
• Seaweed
• Thistle
|
|
Park photo gallery