Five things
#1. The state park initially encompassed only a small parcel between Smugglers Cove Road and the beach, a pretty enough area that provides public access to saltwater on Admiralty Inlet.
#2. At that time, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources managed the 255-acre forest across the road for the benefit of the University of Washington. In 1977, it put the timber up for sale. Local logger Jack Noel filed suit, claiming that DNR did not file an Environmental Impact Statement as required by law under the State Environmental Policy Act of 1971 (SEPA). Within weeks, locals formed Save the Trees to fight for the forest, and a bitterly fought controversy ensued. In mid-1978, the Snohomish County Superior Court agreed with Noel that the timber sale was invalid.
#3. The ruling strengthened SEPA and forced DNR to change the way it managed state forest trust lands, marking a major win for the environmental community in Washington. The land became part of South Whidbey State Park in 1991.
#4. The Ancient Cedar, marked by a Gothic-lettered sign, is more than 500 years old.
#5. The Snohomish people had a village called Shet’lh (“burnt leaves”) just south of the park at today’s Bush Point that included three longhouses, a potlatch house, and a cemetery.
Fast Facts about South Whidbey State Park
- 381-acre day use park, open year-round
- shoreline
- one reservable group shelter with a grill and picnic tables, 23 picnic tables (4 sheltered), grills, outdoor kitchens, horseshoe pits, playground, amphitheater, sports fields
- 3.5 miles hiking trails, amphitheater, fire circle, birding, wildlife viewing
- seasonal junior ranger program
- beachcombing, saltwater fishing
- 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
South Whidbey State Park occupies the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the Snohomish and Stillaguamish peoples, who have lived and travelled here since time immemorial.
Has access to the water been restored?
Last year when I went the steps to the beach, we’re out
Barbara, thanks for the comment. I don’t know whether the water has been restored; I do know that Whidbey has water salinity issues pretty regularly. The best thing to do is check the park website and see if there are any alerts or changes in the park information: https://www.parks.wa.gov/585/South-Whidbey.
Spent a little time here! Fun facts, as always!
Just a little time. Thanks for the suggestion!