Hiking at English Boom County Park on Camano Island, Washington

Looking to explore more on and around Camano Island?
Hike the trails at Barnum Point Preserve, camp at Kayak Point, or spend the night in a cabin at Cama Beach.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Parking is free at English Boom County Park. The parking area is small, with additional parking along the road.
• A port-a-potty is available at the trailhead.
• English Boom County Park is an official off-leash area. Yes, you heard right — let the dogs run free! If you visit, expect to encounter some very wet dogs. As with any off-leash area, please clean up after your pet and make sure they are not bothering other pets or people.
• There is a small covered picnic shelter at the trailhead. Interpretive signs near the shelter provide information about the local wildlife and the human history of the area.
• Always follow Leave No Trace principles. There are no garbage bins at English Boom County Park, so please pack everything out with you.

HIGHLIGHTS

English Boom County Park may be small, but the views are grand. A clear day even offers a glimpse of Mount Baker across the wide expanse of Skagit Bay. It’s a great place to spot wildlife, such as long-legged herons, whose nesting grounds (off limits to humans and their pets) are adjacent to English Boom County Park. I spotted a couple of bald eagles on our visit as well.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

On our way to English Boom Trail County Park, the kids were relieved to learn that hiking here was optional. That’s right — the trail at English Boom is so short and flat, that the kids could play on the beach while their parents wandered the trail. Of course, this is only an option if your kids are old enough for this level of independence. Regardless of age, the beach is a wonderful place to play in the sand, toss a football, play fetch with the family dog, or explore the tide flats.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

Camano Island offers a number of fun small parks to explore. South of English Boom Trail County Park, Barnum Point Preserve is well worth a visit for more easy hiking trails, beach access, and spring wildflowers. You can easily visit both parks in one day.

To the south, the cute beachfront cabins at Cama Beach State Park are a great place for a weekend getaway. Adjacent to Cama Beach, check out Camano Island State Park for more short hikes and beach time. On this recent trip, we stayed at Kayak Point Campground on the mainland, about a 20-minute drive from Camano Island and Barnum Point. This is a good spot to paddle or kayak.

Prior to our visit to English Boom County Park, we enjoyed a tasty lunch at Tapped Camano. Another yummy option, located right next door, is The Baked Cafe.

Following our morning hike at Barnum Point Preserve and a filling lunch at Tapped Camano, a short, relaxing hike by the water was just the ticket. English Boom Trail County Park is the site of a former logging boom, a place where floating logs were gathered to await transport. Today, the logging industry is long gone, and the beach is a gathering place for driftwood, herons, and off-leash dogs.

Yes, English Boom is an official off-leash area for pets. In fact, this was one reason I chose to visit. Buddy had been attached to his leash or lead for nearly two days while we camped nearby at Kayak Point, and he was ready to run. And get wet. Very, very wet. He made fast friends with another wet dog shortly after we arrived. If you come to English Boom Park, expect to encounter at least a few soggy, happy canines.

We saw several other dogs running free during our visit, but the park wasn’t crowded. The boys had space to practice their football throws and play in the sand while Buddy and I headed down the trail.

There is an abundance of bird life in and around English Boom Park. Near the trailhead, purple martin houses perch atop tall wooden posts, although I didn’t see any martins. As we walked the trail, I spotted two bald eagles overhead, and another unidentified bird of prey in the trees at the edge meadow’s edge. Past the tide flats, a couple of log-legged herons stood motionless, their eyes scanning the water for a bite to eat. Eventually, they took to the air, gliding gracefully just above the water in search of better hunting grounds.

Buddy was loving our hike, and did a good job (mostly) of sticking to the trail. The path is sandy and flat, with a few simple wood bridges to aid with stream crossings. On one side a marshy meadow stretches toward the tree-lined bluffs, while on the opposite side the tide flats slope gently toward Skagit Bay. Tall pilings punctuate the edge of the tide flats, a reminder of the logging days of the past. Slow moving streams ribbon through the meadows, seeping into the sand as they approach the bay.

The beach at English Boom is alternately rocky and muddy, littered with small pebbles that disappear as the tide flats take over. The sandiest section is near the trailhead, making it the best place to play without the risk of losing a shoe in the muck.

The trail ends abruptly above the steep banks of a small stream. No bridge crosses the stream here, and beyond this point lies the heron nesting grounds, which is off limits to both humans and dogs. I paused to appreciate the view before heading back. On the return trip, I ran into my older son, J, who was busy carrying a long piece of driftwood and headed… somewhere? I’m not sure if he knew himself where he was going, but hauling driftwood is certainly one way to get your daily workout.

I met back up with our friends back at the trailhead, and before long another friend, along with several of her kids, joined us. Soon they too were out exploring the beach, discovering tiny shore crabs hidden among the rocks. I’ve said it before, but it remains ever true… there is always more to explore!

The boys tossed the football back and forth a few more times while Buddy frolicked on the beach. I could tell he was pretty tuckered out, but he wasn’t about to miss out on a single magic moment.

Before long, we piled into our cars to head back to the campground. Some hikes are tough, pushing your limits as you traverse switchbacks and ford streams. English Boom Trail is not one of those hikes, but that does not make it a less worthy destination. Sometimes, a peaceful walk by the water and the chance to appreciate nature’s beauty together with friends (both human and canine) is all you really need.