Camano Island
Island Puget Sound island with state parks and communities
Camano Island in Puget Sound combines state parks, sandy beaches, and forest trails. Visitors come for camping, tide‑pooling, kayaking, and small‑town cafes.
Camano Island is a populated island in Puget Sound, Island County, Washington State, accessible by road from the mainland. It combines residential communities with public parks and shoreline recreation.
Visitors use the island for beach access, birdwatching, camping and low-key outdoor recreation at its state parks. The island’s shoreline and forested areas support walking trails, tidepooling and picnic sites.
The island has a long history of Coast Salish use and was settled by European Americans in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Over time it developed as a mix of residential areas and preserved open space with state parks established to protect shoreline and forested habitats.
Camano Island sits in Puget Sound between Whidbey Island and the mainland, linked to the mainland near Stanwood by a causeway and bridge on State Route 532.
- Access: The island is connected to the Washington mainland by a bridge via State Route 532, making it accessible by car from Stanwood.
- Recreation focus: Shoreline parks offer sandy beaches, tideflats and trails; they are the main recreational draws rather than urban amenities.
What to See #
- Camano Island State Park: A compact coastal park with shoreline, forest and trails that provides camping, picnic facilities and public access to beaches and tideflats.
- Cama Beach State Park: A state park on the island's western shore that preserves former resort grounds, with shoreline access, camping and interpretive displays about local history.
How to Get to Camano Island #
Camano Island is reached by road - there is no ferry service. From Seattle take I‑5 north to the Stanwood area, then follow WA‑532 (Camano Gateway Bridge) east onto Camano Island; driving distance is roughly 60 miles (about 1-1.5 hours) from Seattle. From Everett it is a shorter drive (about 25-30 miles).
Once on the island, follow the signed island roads (Camano Island Road and local feeders) to park-and-walk access points for beaches and parks. Most visitors arrive by car; there is very limited public transit to the island so plan to drive.
Tips for Visiting Camano Island #
- Visit on a weekday early morning or late afternoon to avoid weekend day-trippers from the Seattle area and to get quieter beach and trail access at the state parks.
- Use the Camano Island Bridge (WA‑532) entry from Stanwood as your main access point and follow signs to the two main parks - Cama Beach State Park and Camano Island State Park - which are the best places for shoreline views.
- Plan any shoreline exploration around low tide to see tide pools and exposed intertidal life at the more sheltered beaches (check local tide tables before you go).
Best Time to Visit Camano Island #
Best visited late spring through early fall (May-September) for mild, drier weather and outdoor activities.
Weather & Climate near Camano Island #
Camano Island's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (732 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 27 mm.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall.
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (101 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).
