Spencer Spit State Park

Any visitor to Lopez Island will want to visit Spencer Spit State Park. The main attraction is the natural feature, a sand spit enclosing a saltwater lagoon, with easy walking on hardpacked roadway to enjoy the scenery. Walking to the farthest point of the spit, you can view the swift current and all the boats passing through the gap between the spit and Frost Island. Dramatic views include Decatur and Blakely Islands. A wide trail drops you from the parking area through forest to the beach. The park offers crabbing, clamming, saltwater fishing, swimming, diving, bird and wildlife viewing and 2 miles of hiking trails. In summer there are kayak and bike rentals available. Along the spit are numerous picnic tables. The park offers 37 standard camping sites, seven hiker/biker sites, and some Cascadia Marine Trail sites. Seven walk-in beach sites have no privacy. There are also three group camps, that are tent camping only.

Spencer Spit State Park sits on the traditional territory of the Central Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Samish tribe, which originally hunted and fished in the area and used the abundant cedar wood for clothing, shelter and canoes. The spit was originally homesteaded in the 1870s by Katherine and Franklin Troxell. The Spencer family acquired the area in the late 1800s. Spencer Spit was sold to the state of Washington by the Spencer family in 1967. The log cabin on the point was built between 1913 and 1920. The cabin was patterned after the pioneer cabins used by early settlers. In 1976, it was removed due to extensive rot, and rebuilt then and again in 2009. It now serves as a picnic shelter with tables and interpretive panels.

From the ferry, drive 1.1 miles on Ferry Road to the first road junction, turn left on Port Stanley Road. In 2.5 miles, turn left onto Baker View Road, continuing on to the park in 0.5 miles.