So you're thinking about visiting Cama Beach State Park? Good choice. I've lost count of how many times I've been there – first with my parents as a kid dragging my feet about nature walks, now dragging my own kids who miraculously love it. Located on Camano Island about 90 minutes north of Seattle, this place feels like stepping into a vintage postcard. Why? Because those colorful cedar cabins lining the shore? They're original 1930s fishing resort buildings preserved by Washington State Parks. Pretty cool time capsule vibe.

Let's get real though – I made the mistake once of showing up on a summer Saturday without reservations. Big mistake. The parking lot was overflowing by 10am. So grab coffee and settle in, because I'm sharing everything I wish I'd known before my first trip to Cama Beach. From secret tidal pools to whether those cabins are actually comfortable (spoiler: they're basic but charming), we'll cover it all.

Getting There Without the Headaches

First things first – no ferry needed! That's right, Camano Island is accessible by bridge from Stanwood. From Seattle, take I-5 north to exit 212 (WA-532 W). Follow the signs and you'll be there in about 90 minutes. Pro tip: Google Maps sometimes directs people down sketchy backroads. Stick to the main route – East Camano Drive to Elger Bay Road becomes West Camano Drive, then left on South Camano Drive.

• Parking situation: Main lot holds about 150 cars. $10/day for Discover Pass (required). Arrive before 9am in summer or you might get turned away.
• RVs/trailers: Limited spots and no hookups. Better options at nearby Camano Island State Park.
• Shuttle service: Runs weekends May-Sept from overflow lot to beach (free)

That time I got stuck behind a logging truck on those winding island roads? Never again. Weekday mornings are golden for stress-free drives.

Best Times to Beat the Crowds

July and August weekends are pure chaos. My ideal Cama Beach State Park visits:

Where to Stay: Cabins vs Camping

Okay, let's talk accommodations because this is where Cama Beach State Park shines or disappoints depending on expectations. Those iconic row of cabins? Historic and adorable but don't expect luxury. I stayed in Cabin #12 last April – here's the real scoop:

• Booking hack: Reservations open 9am PST exactly 9 months ahead on Washington State Parks site. Set calendar reminder!
• No tent camping: Unlike many state parks, Cama Beach is cabins-only. Nearest campground is 3 miles away at Camano Island State Park.
• Pet policy: Only service animals in cabins. Leashed pets allowed on beach except swimming areas.

Honestly? The mattresses are lumpy and you'll hear neighbors sneeze. But falling asleep to wave sounds? Worth it. Just pack earplugs and a mattress topper.

Can't-Miss Activities & Hidden Gems

Beachcombing Like a Pro

Low tide exposes wonders here. I've found:

• Purple sea stars (don't touch!)
• Aggregating anemones that squirt water
• Sand dollars (take only dead white ones)
• Glass floats during April beach cleanups

Best spots: North end near the jetty for tide pools. South end for sea glass after storms.

Paddling Adventures

The Cama Beach Center for Wooden Boats rents gorgeous vintage rowboats ($25/hr) and kayaks ($18/hr). Reserve ahead in summer! My favorite routes:

• Beginners: Hug shoreline to Iverson Spit Preserve (1.5 hrs roundtrip)
• Adventurous: Cross to Langley Harbor (check tides - currents get wild!)

"Saw a seal pup on a buoy last Tuesday! It stared at us like we were the weird ones." - Mark, kayak renter

Essential Packing List

Forgetting stuff here means driving 20+ minutes to stores. My must-haves after 12 visits:

Dining Options Near Cama Beach

Confession: I've eaten mediocre $18 burgers at the on-site cafe. Save money and sanity:

• Brown Lantern Alehouse (12 min drive): Killer fish tacos and local IPAs. Gets packed!
• Camano Island Coffee (15 min): Breakfast burritos worth the drive
• Pack Your Cooler: Nearest full grocery is Stanwood Safeway (25 min away)

Seriously – pack more food than you think. That "quick pizza run" becomes an hour-long detour.

Wildlife You'll Actually See

Beyond generic "birds and deer" promises, here's what's common at Cama Beach State Park:

• Bald eagles: Nesting pair near south trail. Best viewing dawn/dusk.
• Harbor seals: Pup season May-July. Stay 100+ yards away!
• River otters: Playful gangs at north jetty at low tide
• Annoying critters: Raccoons that will unzip your cooler (true story)

Hiking Trails Worth Your Time

The "Bluff Trail" gets crowded. Better options:

Hidden Forest Loop (1.8 miles)

• Starts behind cabin #28 (unmarked path)
• Massive old-growth cedars with interpretive signs
• Steep sections – not stroller friendly

Beach-2-Marsh Connection

• Combine beach walk with Marsh Trail boardwalk
• Best at mid-tide for shorebird sightings
• Total 3.2 miles with benches along way

Skip the "Cama Beach to Camano Island SP" connector unless you want 6+ miles of forest roads. Views are mediocre.

Fishing: Regulations & Hot Spots

This was a fishing resort originally! Current rules:

• Shellfish: Seasonal clamming (license required)
• Salmon: July-Oct from shore/jetty (check WDFW emergency rules!)
• Rent gear: Park store has rods ($10/day) and bait

Local trick: Fish the outgoing tide near the submerged pilings for sea perch. Kids love catching these feisty little guys.

Your Top Cama Beach Questions Answered

Are campfires allowed on the beach?

Only in designated fire rings near cabins. Total burn bans happen July-September – check park alerts! Bring propane fire pit as backup.

Can we launch our own boat?

Yes! Small craft launch (no trailers) near center. $7 launch fee. Mooring buoys available first-come.

Is there cell service?

Spotty Verizon only near cabins. Zero signal on beach. Embrace the disconnect!

Wheelchair accessibility?

Mixed: Paved paths to beach, accessible cabins (#1-3), but steep hills and stairs elsewhere. Call park office for details at (360) 387-1550.

Why This Place Beats Other Coastal Parks

After visiting every Washington beach park, here's why Cama Beach State Park stands out:

• Authenticity: Not commercialized like some spots
• Kid magic: Explorer backpacks (free!) with magnifiers and guides
• Off-season charm: Stormy November days by the wood stove
• History: Seriously cool Depression-era restoration project

Last July, my kid found a perfectly intact crab molt. We identified it using the park's field guides. That's the stuff memories are made of – way better than screens.

Things That Might Disappoint You

Keeping it real:

• Swimming: Water's frigid even in August (like 55°F max)
• Beach size: Tiny at high tide – check tide charts religiously
• Noise: Jet skis sometimes ruin the serenity (outside park boundaries)
• Cabins: Quirky = charming but also means uneven floors and weird smells

Bottom line? If you want resort luxury, go elsewhere. But if you want to wake up to otters playing in the waves outside your cabin? This is your spot.

Making Your Reservation Work

After the great reservation disaster of 2019 (my booking vanished!), I learned:

• Confirm twice: Call park office week before at (360) 387-1550
• Cancellations: Check the website Thursday nights for last-minute openings
• Winter deals: Cabins drop to $65/night November-February (worth the rain!)

Final thought? Cama Beach State Park isn't perfect. But sipping coffee on your cabin deck watching the sunrise? That's the good stuff. Pack those wool socks and go make some memories.