Washington state parks

Obstruction Pass State Park – state parks quest #52

by Lauren Danner

Five things

#1. Obstruction Pass State Park is a rare public saltwater beach on Orcas Island, making it worth a trip if you’re camping at its bigger and better-known big sister, Moran State Park.

The aquarium gravel beach, complete with handy rock for perching. (Lauren Danner photo)

#2. The campground has a magnificent—if that’s a word that can be used in this context—composting toilet. No, really.

#3. The beach is a long, narrow curve composed of what is essentially aquarium gravel, several feet of small water-smoothed pebbles that practically beg you to wade in and admire.

Walking on the beach is like wading through a giant aquarium. I couldn’t get enough of the sensation of the water and gravel. (Lauren Danner photo)

#4. Or just settle down near one of the plentiful drift logs, perfect for whiling away the afternoon with a book. Every now and then, look up and watch a ferry navigate Obstruction Pass.

The driftwood feels as though it’s been placed for maximum relaxation support. (Lauren Danner photo)

#5. Boat in and sleep, either in the bluff-top campground or on your boat, or be prepared to hike a half-mile from the parking lot to the campground.

Those ferries are coming from and going to Anacortes. The sailboat on the left was anchored just offshore and had the bay to itself. (Lauren Danner)
The view through the forest toward East Sound. Interpretive signs along the way explain geology, history, and culture. (Lauren Danner photo)

Fast Facts about Obstruction Pass State Park

  • 76-acre camping park, open year-round
  • more than a mile of saltwater shoreline
  • nine primitive campsites, one Cascadia Marine trail campsite, composting toilets at trailhead and in campground
  • picnic tables, grills
  • 1.8 miles hiking trails, interpretive trail, birding, wildlife viewing
  • saltwater fishing, crabbing, non-motorized boating from beach
  • Rental facilities
  • 3 moorage buoys with phone-in registration
  • Discover Pass required, $10 daily or, for a very reasonable $30, purchase an annual pass
  • camping and roofed accommodations, hookups, reservable online or by calling 888-CAMPOUT
  • park brochure
  • park map

Land Acknowledgment

Obstruction Pass State Park sits on the traditional lands of Coast Salish peoples and is closely associated with the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) people, who provide this land acknowledgment for public use: Obstruction Pass State Park is “on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Lummi People. The Lummi People are the original inhabitants of Washington’s northernmost coast and southern British Columbia. They lived in villages throughout this territory and continue to have an ongoing relationship with these areas. Since Time Immemorial they have celebrated life on their land, water ways and on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of their People to perpetuate their way of life. Please join us in taking a moment of silence as we honor their ancestors and as we acknowledge the past, present and future Lummi People as the original inhabitants of this land.” 

3 thoughts on “Obstruction Pass State Park – state parks quest #52”

  1. Definitely one of my favorite places on Orcas Island. A hidden gem! Also some great madrones there and the little loop trail has some nice variety, going by the water facing west and then up and over some rocky balds back to the parking lot. One side trail has the most perfect picnic table to watch the sunset from.

    1. We didn’t do the loop trail but will definitely check it out next time. I was really enchanted by this park–nice to see I’m not the only one, Jodi!

  2. Lauren, I am really enjoying these. I am wrestling with a project of my own and could use some advice. Would you have some time in the next few weeks for a chat?

Comments are closed.