Things to do on Camano Island That Prove It's Worth a Visit

Considering it’s a quiet island, you wouldn’t think there are a lot of things to do on Camano Island. But this island about an hour north of Seattle is the perfect getaway for a day trip or weekend vacation. It has beautiful beaches, easy hikes, an under-the-radar food scene, and a ton of beautiful scenery.

Not convinced? Here are all the things to do on Camano Island that prove it’s worth a visit.

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Camano Island is one of the many islands near Seattle. It’s approximately 40 square miles and connected to the mainland by a bridge 2 miles west of Stanwood.

The earliest inhabitants were the Kikalos and Snohomish Indians, according to History Link. Their original name for the island was Kal-lut-chin, meaning “land jutting into a bay.”

As white settlers took over the land, the island’s name evolved. It was first mapped as McDonough’s Island to commemorate a captain of the USS Saratoga during the War of 1812. Later in 1847, it was renamed Camano Island by Captain Kellett of the British Navy in an effort to restore Spanish names in the area and honor Spanish explorer Lieutenant Don Jacinto Camano.

In the 1855 Point Elliott Treaty with 22 Puget Sound Indian tribes, it was referred to as Perry Island. Local loggers called it Crow Island. But despite the miscommunication on the island’s name, Camano ended up being the name that stuck.

Things to Do on Camano Island

You can easily explore Camano Island in one day, but a weekend lets you take on a leisurely pace.

Don’t have time to plan your trip? Delegate your trip planning to me. All you’d have to do is show up!

Explore state parks and nature reserves

Camano Island is probably best known for its outdoor activities. There are a bunch of quiet state parks offering wooded and beach trails perfect for easy hikes.

Iverson Spit Preserve

Iverson Spit Preserve is one of my favorite things to do on Camano Island. It offers a little over a mile of walking trails along the beach, the most popular of which is Hobbit Trail. You’ll get views of Port Susan Bay and the Cascade Mountains to the east and grassland to the west.

Note that this is right up against homes. A local shared with me that the road leading to it, the beaches, and the boat ramp are private property, so be respectful and don’t camp overnight.

Camano Island State Park

Camano Island State Park is my second favorite outdoor adventure on Camano. It’s 244 acres and offers both wooded walking trails through the Pacific Northwest forest and beaches. It’s less crowded than Cama Beach State Park to the north, so come here if you prefer less crowds.

If you have a Discover Pass, make sure to bring it for this park. Otherwise you can pay at the kiosk in the parking lot.

Cama Beach State Park

Cama Beach State Park is connected to Camano Island State Park via a mile long trail. Or you can drive to this 433 acre park and explore the wooded trails and beach.

This state park requires a Discover Pass. You can get one of the kiosks in the various parking lots dotted throughout the park.

Pro tip: This used to be a popular camping spot, but the cabins are closed until further notice due to a failing septic system. Similarly the Center for Wooden Boats is also closed due to maintenance.

Tillicum Beach County Park

This tiny park is perfect for photos and a picnic. It’s set among a residential area in the southeast of Camano Island.

English Boom Historic Park

English Boom Trail is a short trail that runs about a mile along a beach on the north of Camano Island. It’s lightly trafficked so you can expect to have beautiful water views virtually to yourself.

Camano Ridge Trail

Camano Ridge Trail is one of the tougher hikes on Camano Island. It’s not hard by any means, but there’s a bit of an elevation on this wooded hike that takes you among ferns and trees. It’s about 3 miles in total, but there are options to shorten the hike.

Barnum Point

Barnum Point is another lovely beach viewpoint not too far from Iverson Spit. It as a network of a few trails that you can choose to meander along.

Zip lining

Like outdoor adventures? Canopy Tours Northwest offers opportunities to explore Camano’s forests via thrilling zip lines. I haven’t had a chance to try them yet, but it’s high on my list of things to do on Camano Island the next time I visit!

Explore the best restaurants

There were more yummy restaurants than I anticipated on this rural island and in nearby Stanwood. One of my favorites include Shima Japanese Restaurant on a cobblestone street in Stanwood. It has excellent sushi rolls with interesting flavor combos.

On Camano Island itself, don’t miss Cristy’s Lumpia and Tapped Camano. Cristy’s is serving authentic Filipinx food in an off-the-beaten-path area of the island that most tourists will never find. Tapped is right in Camano Commons and has great seafood items like crab rolls and crab cakes.

See my full guide to the best Camano Island restaurants for more ideas of where to eat.

Go wine or beer tasting

Dusty Cellars Winery

Dusty Cellars Winery is a tiny Camano Island winery producing only 700 cases per year. It’s only open the first weekend of each month or by appoint for groups of at least 6. It hasn’t been open the times I’ve been on the island, but stop for a tasting if it is when you’re there!

Edward Lynne Cellars

Edward Lynne Cellars is the other of winery on Camano Island. They have about 2 acres of vineyards where they produce grapes for their estate wines.

Like Dusty Cellars, they’re only open on the weekends and a few sporadic days throughout the month. So if you’re there when they’re both open, make sure to add these wineries to your list of things to do on Camano Island!

Ale Spike Brewery

Ale Spike Brewery is a small microbrewery inside a warehouse complex off-the-beaten-path. Tourists would never find their small tasting room off the main road, but it’s worth seeking out. They make great beers you can enjoy on draft in their brewery or take some crowlers to go.

Visit Camano Commons

Camano Commons is the heart of Camano Island. It’s a complex of small businesses, restaurants, and shops arranged around a courtyard perfect for connecting over a beer or ice cream.

Make sure to check out the main shop for local Pacific Northwest Gifts, including coffee from Camano Island Coffee.

You’ll also find some great eats in Camano Commons. This is where Tapped is located, along with some other restaurants perfect for a quick bite. Don’t miss the almond croissant from the bakery and the burgers from The Baked Cafe.

Explore the Camano art scene

Camano Island is full of Pacific Northwest artists, so exploring their public work and art galleries is one of the best things to do on Camano Island.

One way to see them is with this self-guided artist studio tour. Or check out Matzke Fine Art, which is part gallery, part outdoor sculpture park.

Hunt for glass blown orbs

If you’re visiting in February, save time to check out on of the most fun activities on the island: Great Northwest Glass Quest. Over about a 2-week period, clues are hidden across the island for people to find. If you’re one of the lucky 400 to find one, you’ll get a glass blown orb from local artists Mark and Marcus Ellinger.

Map of what to do on Camano Island

Here’s a map of what to do on Camano Island so you can get a sense of space.

Areas to explore near Camano Island

Camano Island is perfectly situated for exploring these nearby pockets of the beautiful United States.

Things to do on Camano Island That Prove It’s Worth a Visit