Spencer Spit State Park

Introduction of Spencer Spit State Park

A 138-acre marine and camping area, Spencer Spit State Park is located on Lopez Island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The sand spit that surrounds the lagoon on which the park is located gives it its name. The park is known for its superb “car-top boating,” “crabbing,” and “clamming.” One of the few state parks in the San Juan Islands that can be reached by car is this one. A saltchuck lagoon is enclosed by a sand spit. Native American tribes travelled up and down the coast, stopping at Spencer Spit for clamming, crab fishing, and other activities before continuing. Up to 1946, Native American activities persisted. The Troxell family homesteaded Spencer Spit in the late 1800s. The Spencer family ultimately purchased it and lived there for 50 years before selling it. The land was purchased by State Parks in 1967. Through Labor Day, the park provides a Junior Ranger interpretive programme.

Spencer Spit State Park Activities

Boating

The Cascadia Marine Trail has 12 mooring buoys. From 1 p.m. to 8 a.m., mooring costs are assessed for docks, floats, and buoys. Parks that offer moorage also offer moorage licences.

Camping

There are two restrooms, one dump station, and 37 tent spots in the park. Showers and connections are not available. There are seven hiker/biker sites and Cascadia Marine Trail sites available. The majority of the park’s tent campsites are big and secluded. The seclusion is not great at seven walk-in beach spots. Up to 10 p.m., campers may enter the premises. Three group camps are offered by the park. G1 features three walk-in sites, one of which is an Adirondack (three-sided) shelter with eight bunks, and can house up to 24 visitors. Up to 50 visitors can stay in G2, which has 10 walk-in sites and a communal grassy space. G3 solely allows tent camping and can house up to 24 people. The location has three picnic tables and a cooking shelter with an electrical outlet and a water tap. A fire pit and a pedestal grill are included. A kitchen trailer, six tents, and four vehicles may all be parked here.

Fishing

It’s legal to fish in saltwater. See the park’s rules regarding licencing.

Hiking

Through the park’s campgrounds is a 2-mile loop trek.

Picnicking

The park has 15 unsheltered picnic tables as well as two cooking shelters without power. There are four picnic tables, a grill, and a fire pit within the cooking shelter. There is water close by. On the spit, there are picnic tables with fire pits, and there are six picnic tables near the beach area.

Water Sports

Popular activities at the park include swimming, scuba diving, clamming, and crabbing.

Spencer Spit State Park History

The Samish tribe, who historically hunted and fished in the region and used the plentiful cedar wood for clothing, housing, and boats, owns the land on which Spencer Spit State Park is located. The spit was initially homesteaded by Katherine and Franklin Troxell in the 1870s. In the late 1800s, the Spencer family purchased the territory. The Spencer family sold Spencer Spit to the state of Washington in 1967. Between 1913 and 1920, the log cottage on the point was constructed. The home was based on the pioneer cottages that early settlers utilised. Due to considerable deterioration, it was demolished in 1976 and reconstructed both then and in 2009. These days, it functions as a picnic shelter with tables and informational displays.

Directions

Driving

Located in San Juan County on Lopez Island, part of the group of San Juan Islands, 45 minutes by boat from Anacortes, Washington.

Follow Ferry Rd. from the ferry. Cross Rd. is on the left after turning left at Center Rd. At Bakerview Rd., turn left after turning right at Port Stanley. Straight into the park from Bakerview Rd.

Parking

Parking is available.

Public Transport

Public Transport is available.