Cama Beach

Cama Beach State Park is a 486-acre marine park located on Camano Island in Island County, Washington. The park preserves a historic 1930s fishing resort that has been transformed into a living history and environmental learning center. Situated along Saratoga Passage in northern Puget Sound, the park offers a unique combination of heritage preservation, marine ecology education, and traditional state park recreation. The historic waterfront cabins have been restored and are available for overnight rental, providing visitors an experience of early 20th-century resort life while enjoying modern amenities. The park's 6,681 feet of saltwater shoreline provides beach access, wildlife viewing, and water recreation opportunities. Cama Beach represents an innovative approach to state park management combining historic preservation with environmental education and traditional outdoor recreation in a spectacular Puget Sound setting.

Cama Beach State Park's marine and terrestrial habitats support diverse Puget Sound wildlife. Harbor seals are frequently observed in Saratoga Passage, often hauling out on nearshore rocks and beaches. The waters support salmon, rockfish, and Pacific herring, attracting bald eagles and osprey that hunt from shoreline perches. Great blue herons stalk fish and invertebrates in shallow waters. River otters occasionally visit the shoreline. The intertidal zone provides rich habitat for crabs, clams, sea stars, and diverse invertebrates. Waterfowl including surf scoters, buffleheads, and various duck species utilize the passage during migration and winter. Black-tailed deer browse in forested areas of the park. Songbirds including chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers inhabit the forest. The park's varied habitats from beach to forest create ecological diversity. The marine environment connects to the broader Salish Sea ecosystem supporting threatened salmon populations and complex food webs.

The park's vegetation represents typical Puget Sound lowland coastal forest communities. Douglas fir, western red cedar, and western hemlock dominate the canopy, creating dense forest cover on slopes above the beach. Pacific madrone with its distinctive reddish bark is prominent along the shoreline. The understory includes salal, Oregon grape, oceanspray, and sword fern providing dense ground cover. Bigleaf maple adds deciduous elements and fall color. Along the shoreline, salt-tolerant vegetation including beach grasses and pickleweed occupies areas subject to tidal influence. The historic resort era saw introduction of various ornamental plants around cabin areas, some of which persist. Native wildflowers include trillium and bleeding heart in forested areas. The park balances preserving natural vegetation with maintaining historic landscape elements. Invasive species management targets plants like Himalayan blackberry that threaten native communities. The forest provides important wildlife habitat and scenic beauty.

Cama Beach State Park occupies land shaped by Pleistocene glaciation and subsequent coastal processes. The Vashon glacier, which covered Puget Sound until approximately 15,000 years ago, deposited thick glacial till that forms the park's foundation. The beach consists of mixed sediments including cobbles, gravels, and sands eroded from glacial deposits and transported by waves and currents. The park's topography includes steep slopes descending from forested uplands to the beach, characteristic of many Puget Sound shorelines. Saratoga Passage was carved by glacial action, creating the waterway separating Camano Island from Whidbey Island. Post-glacial sea level changes and isostatic rebound have influenced the current shoreline configuration. The beach profile changes seasonally with winter storms removing fine sediments and summer conditions allowing accumulation. The geology creates the dramatic landscape where forested bluffs meet rocky beaches and protected waters.

Cama Beach experiences a mild maritime climate characteristic of northern Puget Sound. Summers are warm and relatively dry with temperatures typically ranging from 65-75°F, ideal for beach activities and outdoor recreation. Winters are mild with temperatures generally between 35-50°F, and the area receives moderate rainfall averaging 25-30 inches annually, less than the Puget Sound mainland due to the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains. Most precipitation falls between October and April. The marine influence moderates temperature extremes year-round. Fog is common during spring and early summer mornings. Snow is rare at this sea-level location but occasionally occurs during winter. Spring arrives by late March with wildflowers and leafing deciduous trees. Fall colors appear in October and November. The protected waters of Saratoga Passage create relatively calm conditions compared to exposed coastlines. The climate allows year-round recreation, though summer offers the most reliable weather for beach activities.

The Cama Beach area has been utilized by Coast Salish peoples for thousands of years. The Stillaguamish and Snohomish tribes fished, harvested shellfish, and gathered resources along these shores. The beach's name may derive from a native word, though its exact origin is debated. Euro-American settlement brought logging that cleared much of Camano Island's forests. In the 1930s, the Cama Beach Resort was established as one of many waterfront fishing resorts that dotted Puget Sound shores, offering cabin accommodations and boat rentals for families seeking salmon fishing and beach recreation. The resort operated through the mid-20th century, representing an important era in Pacific Northwest tourism when modest waterfront resorts made outdoor recreation accessible to working families. As development pressured Puget Sound shorelines, the site faced potential subdivision. Community advocacy led to state acquisition in 1989 to preserve both the historic resort and public beach access.

Cama Beach State Park was established in 1989 when the state acquired the historic resort property. Rather than demolishing the aging structures, an innovative approach preserved and restored the 1930s cabins and resort buildings as a heritage site. Extensive restoration work through the 1990s and 2000s brought the cabins to habitable condition while maintaining historic character. The park opened to the public in phases, with the Center for Wooden Boats establishing an outpost providing traditional watercraft experiences. The park developed environmental education programs utilizing the historic setting to teach about Puget Sound ecology and cultural history. Modern camping facilities were added to complement the historic cabins. The park has become a model for adaptive reuse of historic structures in state parks. Recent years have seen continued refinement of interpretive programs, facility improvements, and partnerships with educational institutions using the park for marine science and history education. The park successfully combines heritage preservation with contemporary recreation and education missions.

The park's primary attractions include 33 restored historic cabins available for overnight rental, providing a unique lodging experience. The cabins range from one-room bungalows to larger family units, all furnished in 1930s style with modern amenities. The beach offers 6,681 feet of shoreline for beachcombing, tide pooling, and wildlife viewing. The Center for Wooden Boats operates a satellite facility providing rowboat and kayak rentals, sailing lessons, and traditional boat building workshops. Approximately 3 miles of hiking trails explore the forested uplands and connect to trails on adjacent Camano Island State Park lands. The historic boat house and general store have been restored as interpretive spaces. Modern camping areas provide alternatives to cabin lodging. Fishing opportunities include both beach and boat fishing in Saratoga Passage. Educational programs include ranger-led beach walks, historical tours, and environmental education activities. The park serves as a base for exploring Camano Island and the broader Puget Sound region.

Cama Beach State Park is located on the west side of Camano Island, accessed via State Route 532 and Camano Island roads with directional signage. The park offers 33 historic cabins for overnight rental by reservation, accommodating 2-12 people depending on cabin size. Additionally, the park provides modern camping with standard tent sites. Restroom facilities with hot showers serve both cabin and camping guests. The historic general store building houses the park office and interpretive displays. Day-use areas include picnic facilities and beach access. Ample parking accommodates day visitors and camping guests. Potable water is available throughout the park. The Center for Wooden Boats operates seasonally providing watercraft rentals and programs. The nearest significant services are in Stanwood, approximately 15-20 minutes away, with more extensive amenities in Everett and Mount Vernon. Cell phone coverage is generally reliable. The park is open year-round with full services from spring through fall. Cabin reservations are highly sought after and should be made well in advance.

Park management balances historic preservation with environmental protection and sustainable recreation. Shoreline management addresses erosion while protecting beach ecology and intertidal habitats. Water quality monitoring tracks Puget Sound conditions. The park educates visitors about marine conservation, salmon recovery, and the importance of protecting Salish Sea ecosystems. Historic building preservation follows sustainable practices minimizing environmental impact while maintaining structural integrity. Forest management preserves mature trees and native vegetation while addressing hazard trees. Invasive species control protects native plant communities. The park's environmental education programs connect visitors with conservation issues and promote environmental stewardship. Energy-efficient upgrades in historic cabins reduce operational impacts. Water conservation measures address the challenges of operating extensive facilities. Waste reduction and recycling programs serve the park's significant visitor numbers. The park collaborates with research institutions and conservation organizations on Puget Sound ecosystem studies. Recent initiatives include native plant restoration, sustainable stormwater management, and climate adaptation planning that considers both heritage preservation and ecological protection in a changing environment.