Beaches, Parks, & Hiking Trailsย
Whidbey Island's beautiful beaches, parks, and hiking trails are not to be missed. Below you'll find a list of most of them. Addresses listed below are linked to Google Maps and Trail Maps are included for some of the locations. If there's one that we missed, contact us and we'll make sure to add it! The Washington Trails Association (WTA) is always a helpful hiking guide.
South Whidbey Island Trail Map
Boy & Dog Park
First Street, Langley 98260
This delightful little street-level park has statues of a boy and his dog by Whidbey Island sculptor Georgia Gerber, installed in the park in 1986. Accessible tables and chairs for public picnicking available as well as views of the Cascade mountain range and the beach below. Telescopes for viewing!
Bush Point Boat Ramp
231 E Spyglass Dr, Freeland, Washington 98249
Popular place for salmon fishing. The boat ramp floats are removed each fall and returned in the spring. Amenities include a boat ramp, public beach, restrooms, and parking.
Clinton Beach
6489 Hunziker Ln, Clinton, WA 98236
Located next to the Clinton ferry terminal, this half-acre beachfront site is managed by the Port of South Whidbey and is fully ADA accessible. A covered picnic shelter features a living plant roof. Limited parking. Matthew Swett of locally based Taproot Architects designed the buildings at the park, which include bronze sculptures by local artists Georgia Gerber, Lynn Swanson, and Sharon Spencer.ย
Cloudstone Sculpture Park
5056 Cloudstone Lane, Freeland, WA 98249
Cloudstone Sculpture Park is a 20-acre outdoor art gallery. This captivating park is dedicated to showcasing the exceptional work of the late Hank Nelson, a renowned 3-D artist who sadly passed away in February 2022. Nelson's artistic legacy is comprised of an impressive collection of over 450 sculptures crafted from stone and metal, each one a testament to his deep connection with nature and boundless imagination.
Deer Lake
4330 Bucktail Lane, Clinton, WA 98236
This .75-acre site is located on the east side of Deer Lake, is owned by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, and is maintained by South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District. Swimming, fishing, motorized boats permitted. Annual Trout Derby season is April 22-Oct. 31.ย
Double Bluff Beach
6325 Double Bluff Rd, Freeland, WA 98249
Known as one of the best beaches in Washington State, Double Bluff beach is also among the nation's best dog-friendly beaches. There's a grassy area with picnic benches, a barbecue area, bathrooms, 24-space parking lot, and a doggie shower. Dogs must be on leash until you reach the "flag" then leashes for well-behaved dogs are optional. Accessible at the end of Double Bluff Road, parking for this beach fills up on weekends and during the summer. Public tidelands extend two miles to the west. Tall sandy bluffs are an interesting geologic feature to the west. Popular site for wind-surfing and driftwood sculptures. It is a flat beach and good for walking at low tide. See Mt. Rainer on a clear day!
Earth Sanctuary
2059 Newman Road, Langley, WA 98260
Earth Sanctuary is a privately operated park seamlessly blending art and nature. With its two miles of well-maintained nature trails and a captivating sculpture garden featuring eco-art inspired by various global spiritual traditions, Earth Sanctuary is a tranquil oasis inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the wonders of the natural world.ย
Freeland Park
1543 E Shoreview Dr, Freeland, Washington 98249
With a great view of Holmes Harbor, this park is a local favorite, boasting a picnic area with BBQ grills, covered picnic shelters, pavilion with picnic table and BBQ grill, restrooms, playgrounds, and walking trails. The park is owned by the Port of South Whidbey and managed by Island County Parks and Rec. The park extends up the hill to a picnic shelter and historic Freeland Hall, built in 1915, and available for event rental. Surf smelt, sand lance, and herring spawn here.ย
Glendale Beach Preserve
7496 Humphrey Rd, Clinton, WA 98236
This beach is located at the mouth of Glendale Creek, which is one of two salmon-bearing streams on Whidbey Island. The other is Maxwelton Creek. Picnic tables, vault toilets, parking for about a dozen-plus cars. The park occupies six acres and features 420 feet of low-bank beach and tidelines including the mouth of Glendale Creek.ย
Goss Lake
5235 Lakeside Dr, Langley WA 98260
Good for kayaking and paddle boarding. This lake offers swimming and lake temperatures reach up to 76ยฐ in the summer. Owned by Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and managed by South Whidbey Parks and Recreation. The lake is stocked annually with Coastal Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout. No gas-powered engines permitted. Parking is available for 8 cars.
Lone Lake
5075 Lone Lake Rd, Langley WA 98260
Lone Lake Public Access is owned by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and is maintained by South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District. Amenities include a boat launch, fishing, birding, recreational sail and power boating, kayaking, waterskiing, tubing, and wakeboarding. No swimming. Lone Lake experiences frequent blue-green algae blooms, which may produce dangerous toxins, so avoid water contact if there are warning signs posted. Fish that might be caught include stocked Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, and Brown Bullhead. Fly fishing clubs post photos and stories about fishing at Lone Lake
Dave Mackie Park at Maxwelton Beach
7510 Maxwelton Rd, Clinton, Washington 98236
Dave Mackie Park is a popular public beach park situated on the southern tip of Whidbey Island. Amenities include a sandy beach, picnic tables, restrooms, a playground, and even a baseball field. Visitors to the park can engage in various activities such as swimming, fishing, kayaking, and kite flying, making it a sought-after destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Additionally, the park takes pride in hosting the annual Maxwelton Fourth of July Parade, an event that holds the distinction of being the oldest and largest parade on the island.
Maxwelton Trails Park - Old Log Road ย Maxwelton Trails Map
Access is from Maxwelton Road, behind the South Whidbey Elementary South Campus. South Whidbey Parks and Recreation manages this 40 acre forest land, behind the elementary school on Maxwelton Road and immediately next to the property owned by the South Whidbey School District with an existing trail system.
Possession Beach Waterfront Park
8212 Possession Rd, Clinton, WA, 98236
Located at the southern tip of the Island, hike the beach when the tide is low or hike the bluff trail anytime. Fish from shore, kayak to the park and stay overnight, or dive into the Sound and explore sea critters that live along the underwater reef wall that drops from 30 feet to 130 feet. NOAA Tide Predictions at Possession Point
Putney Woods - Trails Map
4650 Lone Lake Rd, Langley, WA 98260
More than 600 acres of forest and 15 miles of trail make Putney Woods a destination for horseback riders, hikers, and mountain bikers. Island County owns and maintains the woods with help from the Backcountry Horsemen Island County Chapter.
Robinson Beach
6020 Robinson Rd, Freeland, WA 98249
Great beach for sunsets, birding, and has beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains. The boat ramp is no longer in use as it has been covered in sand.
South Whidbey Community Park (Castle Park) - Park Map
5495 Maxwelton Rd, Langley, WA 98260
Castle Park is truly one of a kind. This park caters to sports enthusiasts with baseball fields, soccer fields, playgrounds with covered picnic areas, the areaโs only skate and BMX park, miles of trails for hiking or biking, and an outdoor basketball court. Great place to take your family and enjoy the massive castle playground. Safe, clean castles with towers, ramparts, swings, slides, hiking and more await exploration. Open 7 a.m. to dusk.
Saratoga Woods - Trails Map
4246 E Saratoga Rd #4228, Langley, WA 98260
Enjoy a forested stroll through more than 100 acres of protected forest near Langley. Owned and managed by Island County, with a conservation easement held by Whidbey Camano Land Trust, the property is protected by the community. Large trees, healthy understory plants, and a large glacial erratic are just a few highlights of the woods.
Seawall Park
142 First St, Langley, Washington 98260
Seawall Park is a small but scenic park that runs parallel to Langleyโs main street. The park is easily reached by anyone walking through Langley and features picnic tables, beach access, and a great view of Saratoga Passage and the Cascade mountains. With Adirondack chairs and picnic tables, this is a popular summer strolling and picnicking site. Open water swimmers often swim here. Gray whales are seen during the spring season. Take care walking in low tide. Gray whales excavate ghost shrimp with their fins and leave sinking sand holes which can surprise visitors who walk out among the tide flats and find themselves sinking up to their knees and hips, sometimes losing shoes.ย
South Whidbey State Park - Park Map
4128 S Smugglers Cove Road, Freeland, WA 98249
Walk in an old-growth forest filled with lush undergrowth and western views of Admiralty Inlet. Stop in to stretch your legs, hike and picnic, or gather with family and friends at the amphitheater surrounded by majestic trees.ย
Trustland Trails - Trail Map
Craw Road and WA-525, Langley, WA 98260
Especially designed for accessibility, families of all abilities will enjoy this woodland paradise and the hard surface ADA accessible from the parking lot. Also, for the sport enthusiast or fitness buff, the 1.5 mile multi-use trail is a good warm-up for a longer run or bicycle ride. Horse riders will be well suited to use the multi-use trail for a beautiful ride through Pacific Northwest flora and fauna.
Whale Bell Park
First Street, Langley WA 98260
When the whales are near Langley, the whole town knows it! Spot a whale and ring the brass bell at Seawall Park. This beautiful bell was a community project donated to Langley by Susan Berta of Orca Network. An Eagle Scout, Michael Scullin, worked with sculptor Tim Leonard to design and install the bell frame and nearby signs. A bronze whale sculpture by Georgia Gerber also acts as a piggy bank for donations to the Orca Network.
Whidbey Institute - Trail Map
6449 Old Pietila Rd, Clinton, WA 98236
The Whidbey Institute includes a 106-acre conservation forest with 4.5 miles of trails that are hilly but all below 500 feet. This hike is deep in the forest and very quiet. Visitors will see ferns, cedars, and Douglas fir trees. Trails are open to the public from dawn until dusk, 365 days a year. No dogs, bicycles, or horses allowed.