Orcas Island, often called the 'Gem of the San Juans,' boasts lush forests, pebble beaches, and stunning parks. As you explore these favorite parks and shorelines, be sure to Leave No Trace and obey all park signage. Thank you for helping protect and preserve the Islands for future generations.
The distinctively shaped Turtleback Mountain is a much-loved area for hikers—at 1,520 feet, the second-highest summit in the islands. For hikers and nature lovers, that translates into fantastic views and fascinating flora and fauna. The south-end approach, up the turtle’s “head,” is for those willing to tackle a steep ascent. You’ll enjoy wide-open vistas for much of the climb, but this also means more exposure to the sun.
For those less inclined to pant up an exposed climb, choose the north ascent. Here, conifer forest and wetlands replace the grasslands and Garry oaks of the south face.
The Playground-on-the-Green is the product of Orcas Island imagination, energy, and funding, and constructed by Orcas artists Chuck Greening and Zackarya Leck. The playground design, by Greenworks of Portland, Oregon, mimics what kids might find in the woods or on the beach — rocks to climb, logs to scramble, sand to mold — and features a sculptural slide, designed and constructed by Zackarya Leck. The nature-based design encourages kids to build confidence in assessing risk and supports their coordination, orientation, and social skills. Come enjoy this new park!
Moran State Park is a 5,252-acre camping park with five freshwater lakes, 38 miles of trails that are great for hiking or birdwatching, and mountain biking in winter months. There are also plenty of picnic shelters, and other activities such as horseback riding, boat rentals and more. Near the summit of Mt. Constitution, a gift shop and learning center operated by the Friends of Moran offer maps, gifts, cards and information about the park and its history. The park is open year-round for camping and day use, and you can reserve ahead online, or check at the park entrance for availability. Reservations necessary Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Your visit to secluded Obstruction Pass State Park, named for nearby Obstruction Island, takes you to not only the longest beach on Orcas but also one of the San Juans’ most unusual—a crescent of ocean-smoothed, marble-sized pebbles in rainbow colors. Hike in half a mile to one of the 80-acre park’s 11 first-come, first-served primitive campsites, land your kayak on Pebble Beach, or anchor out at one of three moorings. Many campsites overlook the water; vault toilets and fire pits are available.
Waterfront access on Orcas Island is a high priority for locals. Crescent Beach, with its outstanding scenic values, ecological resources, and potential for public access has been a top conservation priority for the Land Bank since the beginning of the program. An acquisition of 112 acres in 1998 included nearly 300 feet of no-bank beach waterfront and an extensive wetland system including a large pristine wetland adjacent to Crescent Beach. Another in 2000 added an additional 5 acres and 855 feet of waterfront. In 2002 and 2005, the preserve expanded further with the addition of 13.75 acres and 968 more feet of shoreline providing new options for enjoyment, access, walking trails, and parking. Crescent Beach Preserve is a gem for marine study and public enjoyment.
These precious two acres with 650 feet of low-bank marine shoreline and associated tidelands are ideally located just north of the Deer Harbor hamlet. A walking path of mixed forest and an area of open meadow provides public access to the shoreline and views across the harbor to the Wasp Islands. A variety of birds utilize this land including bald eagles, osprey, kingfishers, and hummingbirds. The Land Bank’s restoration efforts here have improved important shoreline processes and habitat function to benefit forage fish that are essential to salmon.
This simple park offers a place to rest, picnic, and walk the beach, a stone’s throw from the bustle of town. Eastsound Waterfront Park also helps protect beach and tideland habitats. Visitors are asked to leave marine life and drift logs undisturbed. Ownership and management of the 2.5 acre park is shared by the Land Bank and San Juan County Parks. A grant from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and private contributions helped purchase a portion of the park. Public restrooms and garbage cans are located a short walk away in Eastsound Village.
