Spencer Spit State Park is a 138-acre marine and camping park situated on Lopez Island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The park is named for the lagoon-enclosing sand spit on which it rests. The park has a reputation for excellent crabbing, clamming and "car-top boating." This is one of the few state parks in the San Juan Islands that is accessible by automobile. A sand spit encloses a saltchuck lagoon.

Park hours/updates:

Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.Winter: Closed Oct. 30, reopens March 14.

Camping: Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.Check-out time, 1 p.m.Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

Wildlife Mammals Birds Fish & Sea Life? Chipmunks? Deer or Elk? Otters? Rabbits? Raccoons? Squirrels? Crows or Ravens? Ducks? Eagles? Geese? Gulls? Hawks? Herons? Hummingbirds? Ospreys? Owls? Woodpeckers? Wrens ? Clams? Crabs? Sea Birds? Seals? Shellfish? Cod? Perch? Salmon? Shark

Environmental Features Physical Features Plant Life Special

Spencer Spit is an example of a sandspit enclosing a saltchuck lagoon. The spit was formed over a long period of time by the action of wind and tide. The spit is constantly changing. Eventually, it could fill with sediment and lose all its water.

? Cedar? Douglas Fir? Hemlock? Yew? Alder? Apple? Cherry? Maple? Foxglove? Rose? Berries? Eel Grass? Ferns? Moss or Lichens? Seaweed? Thistle The stone cellar of the old Spencer house can be seen near the spit. A replica of the original log cabin built by the Spencers for guests is out on the tip of the spit.

As Native American tribes migrated up and down the coast, they stopped at Spencer Spit to clam, crab and fish before moving on. Native American activity continued until 1946.

Spencer Spit was homesteaded in the late 1800s by a family named Troxell. It was eventually sold to the Spencers who lived on the property for 50 years. State Parks bought the property in 1967.

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.

The park has 37 tent spaces, one dump station and two restrooms. There are no showers or hookups. Seven hiker/biker sites are available, as well as Cascadia Marine Trail sites. Most of the park's tent sites are large and private. Seven walk-in beach sites have limited privacy. Campers may enter the grounds until 10 p.m. To reserve a campsite, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

The park provides two group camps. The large one accommodates up to 50 people and has ten walk-in sites with a large grassy common area. The small group camp accommodates up to 20 people and has three walk-in sites, one of which is an adirondack (three-sided) shelter with eight bunks. Fees vary with size of the group. To reserve, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.Length of stay: You may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park during the summer; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.

Available in the park Available in the area ? Camping? Auto repair? Airport? Boat rental? Camping? Diesel? Fishing/hunting? Gasoline? Gifts? Golf? Groceries? Hardware? Hospital? Marine supplies? Overnight Accommodations? Pay phone? Postal service? Propane? Wood? Swimming

The island is serviced by Lopez Island Medical Center.