Ever stood next to old-growth trees so big they made you feel small?
Here’s where you can meet some of these giants. The shores of Admiralty Inlet, South Whidbey Island State Park is home to some of the most majestic, towering old growth trees in the state. Concerned citizens have helped to preserve 255 acres of woodland leaving a legacy of classic Pacific Northwest wildwood. Try not go get a sore neck as you look up to take in the splendor.
The campground is closed until April 30, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pay an afternoon visit to the giant trees by day tripping to South Whidbey Island State Park.
Hiking
Strolling through nature’s skyscrapers is the main attraction. The park is small, but there are plenty of hikes to fill a day. The Beach Trail presents a brief, steep stretch, but most of the hikes are easy to moderate, so it’s a great place to take the kids or dogs on leashes for a day of exercise in the woods. You’ll love being surrounded by Sitka spruce, cedar and hemlock.
Bird Watching
Whidbey Island is host to a bevy of birdlife. Many waterfoul have migrated at this time of year, but keep your eyes and ears open for wren and chickadee. You may even hear an owl! Check out the Whidbey Audubon Society’s page for more details.
Nearby Attractions
Whidbey is a great Pacific Northwest playground. If you finish your hike early, cruise up Smuggler’s Cove Road for more adventures at Fort Casey State Park. Here, you’ll find more than two miles of shore to explore, old military guns and batteries and the picturesque Admiralty Head Lighthouse.
So, where to hike? Get ready to discover why this park is a Whidbey Island treasure. Try this hike to see trees, mountains and shoreline.
Start off with the Forest Discovery Trail, a 1.7-mile loop that begins right near the parking lot to the west of Smuggler’s Cove Road. The trail winds back through to the campground to the Beach Trail, a .3-mile climb down to the shore. This is the steepest hike in the park, but it has big rewards! Comb the shore and get mono a mono with some of the Puget Sound’s incredible sea life. Among the rocks you may discover fast moving crabs and slow moving sea cucumbers on the tidelands. Search for bright sun starfish, or limpet. Or just build castles on the sandy shore and enjoy the panoramic view of the Olympic Range to the west.
Climb back up to the park for a picnic lunch at the covered shelter, then crown your adventure with South Whidbey Island’s signature hikes; the Ridge Loop and Wilbert Trails. The trailhead lies east of the road, opposite the campground and the hike is approximately 3 to 3.5 miles, depending on which way you choose to explore. Wind your way up along the Ridge Loop Trail and deep into the old-growth forest, where you’ll meet up with the Wilbert Trail, named after the couple who started the campaign to save the land. Take a left and go along this route for a shorter but still spectacular hike, or continue up the Ridge Trail with boardwalks over the marshy areas. All around are Sitka spruce, cedar and hemlock. Elevations gains are gentle here – about 200 feet – so the hiking is relaxing, as you enjoy peekaboo views of Sound waters. At the northernmost juncture is the crown jewel – the biggest giant of all.
Two words of caution: The trail can get soggy, and inclement weather is always a possibility. Also, it’s best to avoid the park on very windy days, as old trees can drop branches. Check weather before you go!
You’ll be riding the Mukilteo to Clinton Ferry to get to Whidbey Island, so why not leave your car behind? Island Transit has a bus that travels regularly on weekdays from the ferry to South Whidbey Island State Park. The schedule varies slightly on Saturdays and there is no bus service on Sundays.
Led by Harry Wilbert, Whidbey residents protested the sale and clearing of the forest land to the west of South Whidbey Island State Park in the 1970s and won the battle. A sign on the trail memorializes their crusade.
The Hiker Mama rounded up her family for an fun-filled road trip to Whidbey Island last November. Here’s what she had to say about her adventure:
“I need to get back there again and re-hike the Wilbert Trail; it travels through some wonderful Old Growth, and I remember it being beautiful and interesting.”
- The Hiker Mama
Park hours:
Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: Day-use area open 8 a.m. to dusk during winter. 
Camping:
Campground closed Oct. 1, reopens April 30.
Discover Pass:
The Discover Pass must be displayed on your vehicle for day visits to South Whidbey Island State Park.
Location:
Located on Whidbey Island, seven miles north of Freeland, on Smuggler’s Cove Rd in Island County.
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