Fort Ebey State Park

Introduction of Fort Ebey State Park

Fort Ebey State Park, a 645-acre campground on Whidbey Island, was initially constructed during World War II as a coastal defensive fort. The gun positions are marked by concrete platforms. The park features miles of hiking and bike paths, three miles of saltwater beachfront on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and a freshwater lake for fishing.

Camping at Fort Ebey State Park

Fort Ebey State Park Activities

Hiking

There are 28 kilometres of hiking paths throughout the park.

Bicycling

Bicyclists have access to 25 kilometres of trails at Fort Ebey State Park.

Fishing

There isn’t much smallmouth bass fishing at Lake Pondilla. There is a short distance to travel on foot to reach the lake.

Picnicking

There are 25 open-air picnic tables in the park. The Gun Battery, the beach area, and the Point Partridge area all provide picnic areas. First-come, first-served policy applies to all unsheltered picnic tables. There are two log picnic shelters that may be reserved. Two sizable BBQ grills, two uncovered picnic tables, and two covered picnic tables are available in the shelter areas. One shelter has a modest-sized grassy space and is close to the beach area. The second shelter has a grassy space and is situated at the Gun Battery picnic spot. The Beach picnic shelter has 50 seats available. 150 persons can fit in the picnic shelter at the Gun Battery.

RVing

The majority of exceptionally big RVs will fit on the longest possible spot (limited availability).

Water Sports

There are two sizable fields available for sporting events, although none have nets or field markings. On the ocean beachfront of the park, there is a well-liked surfing spot. With a seaweed and shellfish licence, seaweed harvesting is permitted in this park from April 16 through May 15.

Fort Ebey State Park History 

In 1942, Fort Ebey was constructed on Partridge Point as a World War II coastal fortification close to Puget Sound’s entrance. Isaac Neff Ebey, a pioneering Whidbey Island homesteader, was honoured with a name change for the fort. Two 6-inch cannons were part of the fort’s arsenal, although they were eventually disassembled for scrap.

The state initially obtained the property in 1965 when it bought 204 acres from the federal government. Between 1968 and 1974, further purchases were made, increasing the site’s size by roughly 24 acres. In 1990 and 1997, a property swap with a private landowner and a purchase from the Department of Natural Resources added to the park’s size. The park debuted that year.

Transportation

Driving

Located in Island County on Whidbey Island, eight miles south of Oak Harbor and two miles north of Coupeville.

Take the I-5 exit #189 just south of Everett coming from Seattle. Observe the directions for the Clinton/Mukilteo ferry. Visit Clinton on Whidbey Island by ferry. Hwy. 20 becomes Hwy. 525 as you travel north on it. Turn left onto Libbey Rd. and go 1.5 miles to Hill Valley Dr. from Coupeville, which is two miles to the north. Enter the park by turning left.

Take the Burlington exit #230 from Mount Vernon and continue on Highway 20 in the direction of Whidbey Island. Follow Highway 20 south eight miles past Oak Harbor after you arrive on Whidbey Island. After 1.5 miles, turn right onto Libbey Rd. and go to Hill Valley Dr. Enter the park by turning left.

Keystone and Port Townsend Transport alert: Currently, a smaller ship that can accommodate up to 50 automobiles is used on this ferry route. You should anticipate sold-out sailings and tidal cancellations. Trucks, vehicles, and RVs carrying 6,000 lbs. to 80,000 lbs. are urged to make reservations at least one day before sailing. Visit the Washington State Ferries website for the most recent details.

Parking

Parking is available.

Public Transport

Public Transport is available.