A Camano Island Cabin Getaway at Cama Beach

Looking for more great getaways on Washington’s Salish Sea?
Check out Alderbrook Resort on the Hood Canal and Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island.

LOCATION

Cama Beach Historical State Park is located on the west shore of Camano Island, Washington, on the Saratoga Passage. The north end of Camano Island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, just west of the town of Stanwood and the I-5 freeway. Heading north from Seattle on I-5, take exit 212 to Highway 532.

WHAT TO BRING

Pack for a Cama Beach cabin stay like you would for a camping trip — just leave the tent and mattress pads at home. Things to bring include:

• Bedding — The Cama Beach cabins include beds with mattresses, but no bedding. Pack your own sleeping bags and pillows.

• Towels — As with bedding, towels are not provided. You may also want to bring a few rags or ratty towels for wiping down dirty pets (or children) before they enter the cabin.

• Kitchenware — This includes plates, silverware, cups, pots, pans, and more. If you expect to use it, bring it. Cama Beach does not provide any kitchen supplies other than dish soap.

• Food — Again, think camping and keep it simple. The cabins have refrigerators and microwaves, but no ovens or stoves. Our friends brought an induction burner to use inside, and many guests bring camp stoves to use outdoors. There are several outdoor grills near the cabins, as well as a large fire pit. Bring charcoal or fixings for s’mores if you’re so inclined.

• Layers & outdoor wear — Like a true Washingtonian, be prepared to get out and enjoy the beach no matter the weather! Rain jackets, rain pants, and rubber boots are recommended if the weather forecast looks iffy. Warm base layers and socks are a must for colder weather, and blankets for cozying up around the campfire are welcome. Summer can be warm (pack the water shoes and swimsuits!), but it pays to check the forecast in advance no matter when you go.

• Outdoor games & toys — Soccer balls, frisbees, kites, beach toys — there is plenty of space to play at Cama Beach. We even brought a bocce set (although we didn’t end up using it). You can buy some of these items at the Cama Beach Store.

• Books, puzzles & indoor games — These are great when hanging out in the cabin in the evening, or in case the weather gets rough. The Cama Beach Store also loans out games and books when open.

CURRENT INFO & RSERVATIONS

The Washington State Parks website offers good information about both Cama Beach Historical State Park and Camano Island State Park. The State Parks website also provides detailed information about the Cama Beach cabins, as well as an extensive and helpful FAQ. To reserve a cabin, visit the Washington State Parks reservation website. Choose “roofed” from among the different reservation options, then check “Cama Beach Cabins” before continuing with your request.

WE WERE THERE

October 2021, 2 nights

GOOD TO KNOW

• Cama Beach is a Washington State Park, so be sure to hang your Discover Pass on your rearview mirror. An overnight parking pass is provided if you have a cabin reservation. If you don’t have a pass, you can purchase one from one of the automated pay stations at the parking lots.

• Pets on leash are welcome on the beach and trails at Cama Beach State Park, but only some cabins are pet-friendly. If you plan to bring a pet, check the cabin restrictions when you book.

• Different cabins come with different amenities and prices. During peak season, rates start around $100 per night. In the off season, the nightly rate is around $75 and up. Standard cabins have a kitchenette (with a refrigerator and microwave), but no bathroom. Instead, guests can use the restrooms and showers in the bathhouse located directly behind the cabins. Deluxe cabins and bungalows include a bathroom. Most cabins can accommodate up to five guests, while the larger bungalows can accommodate up to eight. One ADA bungalow and cabin are available.

• Be prepared to cart your luggage down the trail to your cabin using the provided wagons. If you need assistance, you can call for a shuttle bus instead. The road to the Cama Beach cabins is only open to official park vehicles (and, with permission, to those with mobility restrictions). Visitors can temporarily park across from the Cama Beach Cafe to unload luggage, but must then move their cars further uphill to to overnight parking lots. Wagons are readily available to cart your belongings to your cabin, but be aware that the trail is steep. Fortunately, the provided shuttle service is a great alternative for those with limited mobility, or if you just want some help transporting your luggage.

• Information about the shuttle and how to call for one is posted near the parking area at the Cama Beach Cafe. In summer, shuttle service connecting Cama Beach and Camano Island State Parks is sometimes offered.

HIGHLIGHTS

Staying at Cama Beach Historical State Park feels like stepping back to a simpler time. While it’s less than two hours from Seattle, it feels like a world away. Whether you come for the day or stay overnight, take your time here. Appreciate the simple beauty of the water and the woods, watch the sun set over Saratoga Passage, and savor brunch with a view at the Cama Beach Cafe. Sit back, relax, and leave the clamor of modern life behind.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

Kids love Cama Beach! They can play on the beach, kick the soccer ball across the lawn, buy 10 cent candy from the Cama Beach Store — there is good, old-fashioned fun galore! Our kids especially love building toy boats at the Center for Wooden Boats and testing them out in the water. On weekends, other activities, including “big bubbles” and crafts, are often offered. For a fun option with a contemporary twist, download the “Adventure Awaits” app and follow a scavenger hunt through the park. Cell service is typically spotty, but the Cama Beach Store offers free wifi to help you complete your quest.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

If you only have a few days at Cama Beach Historical State Park, I don’t recommend straying too far — this place was meant to be savored as a true vacation. But maybe you want to do some extra exploring on your way to or from Camano Island. Great idea! For more low key trails, check out Barnum Point or Leque Island, both near the north end of Camano. Also on the north end along NE Camano Drive, visit Camano Commons for coffee, pastries, ice cream, and more. Grocery stores can be found on Camano and in nearby Stanwood, so it’s easy to pick up any supplies you may need.

Off the island, head north to Skagit County to visit the Skagit Wildlife Area or Little Mountain Park in Mount Vernon. Charming La Conner and Mount Vernon both offer good food and breweries.

Cama Beach Historical State Park has a lot to offer!
Below, I provide an overview of the cabins, fun family activities, hiking options, the quaint Cama Beach Store,
and the mouthwatering Cama Beach Cafe.
After that, we’ll take a side trip to Camano Island State Park to explore another beautiful beach.

THE CABINS

Cama Beach Historical State Park began its life as a family-run fishing resort in the 1930s. In the 1990s, the daughters of the original owners began the process of transferring ownership to Washington State Parks, with the goal of keeping this special place open to the public. In 2008, Cama Beach Historical State Park officially opened. The beach, trails, and daily activities are open to all, and the historic cabins are available to rent year round.

Some things are a bit different from the early resort years. It’s no longer possible to drive all the way to the cabins. What was once a gas station is now place to gather for ranger-led activities. The old cabins, however, remain, exuding cozy charm and rustic ambiance.

We arrived in the evening, just as the sun sank below the horizon over Whidbey Island. Fortunately, it was still light enough to easily see our way down the steep trail to our bungalow. With all the stuff we brought, it probably took four wagon loads to get it all to the cabin! If wheeling luggage down a bumpy trail to your lodgings isn’t your cup of tea, or if you have any personal mobility considerations, don’t hesitate to request shuttle service. The number to call is posted at the Cama Beach Cafe. Those with mobility restrictions can also request to park their own vehicle at the ADA cabins.

During our stay, we rented one of the larger bungalows with friends. It’s a great option if you have a group of more than five people, as you get a larger space with your own bathroom. This is ideal in blustery weather, or just to have the space to comfortably gather over board games. Our cabin was bungalow A. The photos below give you a good look at the interior. Although the configuration is different from bungalow B and the smaller cabins, the furnishings are similar no matter where you stay. Take note of the hand-sewn quilts over the mattresses, a nice homey touch.

While comfy, these cabins are simple, and the only kitchen appliances are a refrigerator and microwave. As noted in the “What to Bring” section above, you need to pack your own supplies, including bedding, cookware, and food.

FUN BY THE BEACH

As you would expect, Cama Beach State Park is indeed located on a beach. Mere steps from the cabins, the water of the Saratoga Passage beckons. The westward view looks across to Whidbey Island, and is ideally situated to take in the sunset on a clear night. To protect the cabins, a concrete bulkhead spans the edge of the resort, and at high tide the water comes all the way up to the barrier, swallowing the beach completely. As the tide recedes, a rocky shore littered with broken clamshells is revealed. Stroll northward to leave the bulkhead behind for a sweeping expanse of unbroken shoreline.

Aside from the beach itself, Cama Beach offers plenty of good clean fun, especially on the weekends. Check the schedule online before you go, and see what’s posted when you arrive for any updates. On Saturdays (or any day in the peak summer season), duck into the quirky Cama Beach Store, where you’ll find games, books, toys, candy, and an eclectic mix of historic artifacts. The store is run by volunteers with the Cama Beach Foundation, friendly folk who are happy to answer your questions. Stop in and read up on the history of the park, or pick a game or book to borrow during your stay.

Among the books offered for sale at the Cama Beach Store, I found a simple activity booklet with an included “Cama Beach Explorers” patch. Designed by a local girl scout, they sold for $2.50 apiece, a price I was happy to pay to support the store and provide the kids with a fun afternoon activity. They’re always eager for the chance to earn a special patch or badge! Still, I think their favorite part of the store was getting 50 cents each to spend on the ten-cent candies offered at the counter. Such a treat!

Just outside the Cama Beach Store, and old gas pump from the 1930s serves as the meeting point for a variety of activities, typically for free. During our visit, the kids had the chance to decorate “medallions” to bring home. We also snagged new copies of the Washington State Park Junior Ranger activity booklets. Just north of the Cama Beach Store, Michael and J enjoyed a friendly game of chess on the giant outdoor chessboard, while T took a particular liking to the swing set.

Throughout this area, you’ll find picnic tables, outdoor grills, horseshoe pits (complete with horseshoes), and an outdoor fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs. These are available to everyone, whether you’re staying overnight or just visiting for the day. An outdoor shelf near the cabins offers free firewood and propane canisters that other guests have left behind. Near the lawn, look for a bin with old sporting equipment in case you forgot to bring your soccer ball. Who needs the internet when you have all this fun at your fingertips?!

CAMA BEACH CAFE

For a weekend breakfast or lunch, it’s hard to beat Cama Beach Cafe. The food is delicious and the view is gorgeous. It was such a treat to pack up our belongings on our departure day, then head to the cafe for a hearty brunch. Plan in advance, as this space is also used for private events and the cafe has limited hours. As I write this in October of 2021, the cafe is open from 8am to 2pm, Friday through Sunday. Reservations are recommended, but you can also pop in anytime to order a coffee or pastry at the counter.

Cama Beach Cafe was a hit with everyone in our party, although the kids’ meals are on the smaller side. The Swedish pancake kids’ meal, coupled with a side of fruit, was perfect for my five-year-old, but my ten-year-old was still famished. Fortunately, a ham and cheese scone was just the remedy he needed. Next time I’ll order him and adult meal!

Adult portions are ample, but not huge; the focus here is more about quality than quantity. I was pleasantly full after a hearty veggie hash and several coffee refills. Michael enjoyed the corned beed hash with a lovely side of avocado toast (isn’t it gorgeous?) and felt that was just enough for him.

If you’re heading straight home after your visit to Cama Beach, take note: the Cama Beach Cafe also has a small freezer case stocked with lasagna, pot pies, dessert pies, and more. I would have loved to try a chicken pot pie, but unfortunately we didn’t have a reliable way to keep it frozen. Next time!

THE CENTER FOR WOODEN BOATS

Cama Beach Historic State Park is home to one of two outposts for the Center for Wooden Boats, a nonprofit that promotes the craft and history of — you guessed it — wooden boats. At both their Cama Beach and Seattle locations, the center offers seasonal boat rentals. They also host a wide range of events and classes. For anyone who loves boats, or even those with a passing curiosity, I highly recommend a visit. Prior to the covid pandemic, the Seattle location offered free public sailings on Sundays, an experience that will hopefully return once the time is right.

During our October visit to Cama Beach, the season for boat rentals was over. Fortunately, the season for toy boat building was still in full swing. Sessions are typically held on Saturdays, but check the Cama Beach Foundation calendar before you go. Volunteers with the Center for Wooden Boats set up array of supplies and outdoor workbenches, and the fun begins. The kids even get to use real tools — hand drills and hammers (with adult supervision, of course)! A donation of $5 per boat is suggested, and the money goes directly to support the Center for Wooden Boats.

My kids love building these boats. This time, my youngest son had the brilliant idea to attach a string to his boat, then tied the end around a cork, giving him a handy way to keep ahold of the boat in rough water. You never know where the creativity will lead!

HIKING & SCAVENGER HUNTS

Cama Beach Historical State Park is home to several easy hiking trails, most notably to marshy Cranberry Lake and to neighboring Camano Island State Park. Other than the initial climb up from the beach, there is little elevation gain on these short trails.

If you’re looking for something to make a hike more engaging for the kids (and adults, too), download an Adventure Lab scavenger hunt. There’s a route for both Cama Beach State Park and Camano Island State Park. These “adventures” are similar to geocaching, as they lead you to specific sites in search of a clue. At Cama Beach, a brief historical insight is provided for each stop. Then, when you correctly answer the clue, you unlock a corny joke! Technically, there’s no “cache” to find on these adventures, other than the beauty of nature, of course.

One other thing to note about the Adventure Lab scavenger hunts is that they require a wifi or data connection in order to read and answer the clues. Our T-Mobile cell connection at Cama Beach was poor (often a plus when trying to get away from it all in my book), but I logged onto the free wifi near the Cama Beach Store to download the app. This didn’t provide access for the full adventure, but we were able to enter our answers and complete the course upon our return. Consider downloading the app ahead of time and writing down the clues to take with you to Cama Beach. Unfortunately, Cama Beach State Park doesn’t offer paper printouts to follow.

Since the scavenger hunt takes you to the trailhead for Cranberry Lake, it ties in perfectly with a hike to this hidden pond. It’s an easy hike, but prepare for mud if the weather’s been rainy. Look for beaver lodges at the far end of the lake, and see if you can spot any animals among the lilies and reeds. In fall, the maple leaves shift from green to golden. In summer, hunt for ripe huckleberries and salmonberries along the trail.

BEACH TIME AT CAMANO ISLAND STATE PARK

From Cama Beach Historical State Park, it’s a short drive (or hike) to nearby Camano Island State Park. While both parks are situated on the shores of Saratoga Passage, they’re distinctly different. At Camano Island State Park, the beach is wild, free from the concrete bulkhead that protects the waterfront cabins at Cama Beach. Situated at the base of a bluff, a large grassy area stretches from the parking lot to the rocky beach ringed with driftwood.

It’s a beautiful place for a picnic. Tables and grills are spaced around the meadow, and restrooms (quite nice ones) are located by the parking lot. An enclosed shelter offers respite from the wind, although it was locked during our visit. At the north end of the beach, a boat launch provides water access for both motorboats and kayaks or paddle boards.

On our visit, Washington’s changeable weather was out in full force. We arrived in the rain, the water of the Saratoga Passage mirroring the pale grey of the clouds. To the north, small pockets of blue appeared above the horizon. Slowly the blue began to spread southward, and cottony white puffs replaced the thick, dense blanket of clouds. The effect was stunning, although it was still a bit chilly when the wind picked up.

The beach at Camano Island State park is perfect for play, and the kids were soon bounding along the shore, dragging driftwood and searching for shells. A previous beachgoer had built a substantial driftwood fort, and T was eager to add on his own special touches. The dock at the north end of the beach was another great place to explore. Near the boat launch, we discovered the fiery red remains of a lion’s mane jelly washed up on shore. Should you spot one of these striking creatures on the beach, take a good look, but don’t touch — even dead lion’s mane jellies can sting.

Camano Island State Park is about more than just the beach. There’s a lovely campground tucked away in the woods above the beach, with cabins as well as campsites. Similar to Cama Beach State Park, a variety of trails wind through the forest, and Adventure Labs offers a scavenger hunt here as well. A visit to Camano Island State Park is the perfect compliment to a stay at Cama Beach, and also a worthy destination on its own.

Feeling inspired to plan your own getaway to Cama Beach and Camano Island State Parks?
I hope this post encourages you to get out and enjoy Washington’s beautiful public beaches and forests.
Happy exploring, from my backyard to yours!