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Washington
12

Washington State Parks

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USA Parks
Washington
The Islands Region
Clark Island Marine State Park
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CLARK ISLAND MARINE STATE PARK
CLARK ISLAND MARINE STATE PARK
Olga, Washington   98279
(lat:48.7008 lon:-122.7645) map location

Phone: 360-376-2073
Accessible only by boat, Clark Island is a 55-acre marine camping and moorage park with 11,292 feet of saltwater shoreline on the Strait of Georgia. Beaches are sandy on the west side of the island and smooth pea gravel on the east side. This is a popular kayaking site. It provides an important camping and rest site for paddlers traversing the northern San Juan islands.

Boaters anchoring offshore or using the park moorage buoys should be aware of the strong currents on the west side of the island.

The east side moorage area is subject to large waves created by passing commercial shipping in Rosario Strait.
History of the Area
Clark Island was first charted by Spanish explorer Francisco de Eliza in 1791. In Eliza's map, Clark Island and neighboring Barnes Island were named Islas de Aguays after the Viceroy of Mexico.

The present name was established by Charles Wilkes during the United States Exploring Expedition of 1841. Commander Wilkes, an American explorer and naval officer, named the island for midshipman John Clark, who was killed in Perry's Battle of Lake Erie.

Clark Island was briefly homesteaded beginning in the late 1800s before being set aside by the federal government as a lighthouse reservation in 1932. The island was acquired by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission in 1964 from the Bureau of Land Management.
Passes
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.
Camping
The park has 15 campsites, one composting toilet and two vault toilets. Camping is available on a first come, first served basis. The nearest fuel and limited groceries are at Blakely Island Marina. Campsites are open year round. Campsites 1-6 and 14 and 15 accommodate up to eight campers, campsites 7-13 accommodate up to four campers.
Swimming
1. Clark Island Marine State Park offers a variety of swimming options.
2. The park features two saltwater beaches perfect for open water swimming.
3. Swimmers can enjoy the clear, cool waters surrounding the island.
4. There are no lifeguards on duty so swimmers should exercise caution and swim at their own risk.
5. Snorkeling is also popular due to abundant marine life around the island's shores.

Boating
The park features nine moorage buoys six on the east side of the island, three on the west side. All boaters mooring vessels at buoys are required to self register and pay moorage fees at the bulletin board/pay station onshore. Boaters need to obey rafting limits posted on mooring buoys.
Fishing
Enjoy fishing in the pristine waters, home to salmon and rockfish. Crabbing is also a popular activity here.

The park's marine area provides opportunities for catching Dungeness crab, clams and oysters.

Anglers can cast their lines from boats or shoreline with chances of hooking lingcod or greenling fish species.

Fishing enthusiasts may need to check local regulations as some areas are protected due to shellfish conservation efforts.



Picnicking
There are two picnic sites on the west side of the island with a sandy beach area.

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Area Campgrounds
The Cedars RV Resort
6336 Portal Way
Ferndale, WA
360-384-2622
Sun Retreats Birch Bay
5001 Bay Road
Blaine, WA
360-371-5006
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
The park is located 1.75 miles northeast of Orcas Island in the San Juan islands.

Marine access, reachable only by boat.The closest launch sites are at Obstruction Pass, Orcas Island; Washington Park, Anacortes; Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes; Squallicum Harbor, Bellingham.

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Washington
12

Washington State Parks

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