Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

Park overview:

Upright Channel is a 20-acre, day-use park situated in the beautiful San Juan Islands. The park features walking trails, picnic and beach area. Easy access to tidelands makes for an enjoyable day clamming on the beach. Visitors can enjoy watching the many ferries plying Upright Channel en route to Friday Harbor.

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:

The park is open for day use from 8 a.m. to dusk, April 30 through Sept. 30.

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:

Camping is available at Odlin County Park and nearby Spencer Spit State Park.

Simple locator map of Upright Channel State Park

Driving Directions

Upright Channel is located about one-quarter mile east of Flat Point on Lopez Island in San Juan County.

From the ferry dock on Lopez Island, drive straight on Ferry Road about two miles. Turn right on Military Road, then take the first right (also Military Road). The park gate is about one-half mile on the right.
Boat access: By boat, head west from Anacortes across Rosario Strait. Go through Thatcher Pass, which is between Decatur and Blakely islands. Head north passing between Blakely and Lopez islands. At Upright Head, head south along the west side of Lopez Island until you reach Flat Point.

Park Maps

List of all downloadable Washington State Park maps.

Park Features

History

Interpretive opportunities

There are currently no interpretive opportunities at this park.

Services/Supplies

	Available in the area
	• Camping • Gasoline

The nearest grocery store is about two miles from the park in Lopez Village. Fuel and pumpout for boats are available on the west side of Lopez Island in Fishermans Bay at Islands Marine Center.

Activities

Trails	Water Activities	Other
• 0.2 mi. Hiking Trails	• Boating (saltwater) • Personal Watercraft (saltwater) • Clamming	• Beach Exploration • Bird Watching • 2 Fire Circles • Wildlife Viewing
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

Moorage is available by anchor only.
Fuel and pumpout for boats are available on the west side of Lopez Island in Fishermans Bay at Islands Marine Center.

Picnic and Day-use Facilities

The park features three acres of picnic and beach area, six picnic tables, two steel fire pits and a vault toilet. There is no running water or garbage service at the park. Visitors must pack out what they pack in.