Empire State Review Contributor 
Hikers, kayakers, and outdoor enthusiasts gathered on June 21, 2025, as Washington State celebrated the official grand opening of Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island. The event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featured a formal ceremony from 2–3 p.m. and an afternoon filled with family-friendly activities, including food, games, and a traditional toy-boat building workshop hosted by the Center for Wooden Boats.
Located on the scenic southwestern shore of Camano Island, Cama Beach spans approximately 434 acres and over a mile of shoreline overlooking the sapphire-hued waters of Saratoga Passage. The area evokes the ambiance of its heritage as a 1930s-era fishing resort, with 33 historical cedar cabins restored for overnight stays—24 standard cabins and seven deluxe cabins with indoor plumbing—nestled just steps from the beach.
Island County Commissioner John Dean, whose district includes Camano Island, described the opening as a meaningful moment for both the local community and Washington State Parks. “It’s the first new state park in Island County since Joseph Whidbey State Park on Whidbey Island, and just the second on Camano Island,” he noted. The park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, preserves and celebrates its layered history—from thousands of years of Indigenous use, to its time as a logging site in the late 1800s, followed by its role as a beloved mid-century fishing resort.
Educational programming plays a key role at the park. Throughout the summer, visitors can take part in interpretive presentations that include Native American history, ecological insights, and the story of the resort itself. The Center for Wooden Boats, which has contributed over 3,000 volunteer hours since 1991, has established a satellite presence at the boathouse. They offer hands-on maritime experiences, wooden boat rentals, and workshops such as historical boat building and toy-boat crafting.
Though the park is fully operational today, it faced significant challenges in previous years. In February 2024, a failing septic system forced the closure of all cabins and lower-level facilities. In October 2024, amid rising sea-level concerns and infrastructure strain, the state parks commission voted to permanently close the cabins in their current form, citing cost and environmental complexity. Local advocacy groups—including Save Cama Beach Cabins—have actively campaigned for funding to rehabilitate septic systems and seawalls, emphasizing both heritage preservation and tourism benefits.
In spite of these closures, portions of the park have remained accessible. The Cama Beach Cafe and a welcome station, alongside restroom facilities in other areas, continue to serve visitors. Daily park amenities boast 15 miles of hiking trails, connections via a mile-long trail to Camano Island State Park, wildlife viewing, and potential crabbing and fishing opportunities.
The park’s restoration, funded through a combination of state capital and grants—totaling approximately $35.2 million including land acquisition—was made possible by generous donations and support from families like the Hamalainens and Worthingtons, who sold the property to the state at below-market value and contributed further donations.
Local reaction highlights the park’s strong community ties: “Everyone on Camano Island is excited. We’re really fortunate to have this area saved,” Commissioner Dean said. Community partners such as Island Transit, North Cascades Institute, and Camano Island Chamber of Commerce also contributed, while hundreds of volunteers assisted with infrastructure improvements and historical interpretation.
Visitors planning to stay overnight should note that a shuttle system transports guests and luggage down the steep access path to the cabins, preserving the quiet nature of the shoreline without vehicle traffic. Deluxe cabins, which include en-suite bathrooms, command higher rates. Cabin stays typically offer a cozy, disconnect-from-digital-life experience with shared bathrooms for standard cabins.
Day visitors can enjoy amenities including the cafe—offering farm-fresh breakfasts and lunches and rated among Western Washington’s top brunch spots—beach exploration, birdwatching, picnicking, and seasonal interpretive hikes. The weekend toy-boat building activity is a particularly popular draw for families and echoes a tradition that aligns with the park’s maritime roots .
Looking ahead, ongoing infrastructure assessments and future planning through 2026 will seek to balance preservation of historic and cultural resources with environmental and recreational priorities. Public input is a critical component of this process, ensuring long-term sustainability and honoring the park’s multi-layered legacy—from Indigenous heritage to mid-century bathing and boating traditions.
Cama Beach State Park’s grand opening marks a milestone in Island County’s conservation efforts and Washington’s commitment to accessible, historically rich outdoor spaces. It offers a rare blend of natural beauty, cultural depth, and hands-on engagement—inviting visitors to immerse themselves both in the environment and in the compelling history of the North Puget Sound.
