Camano Island State Park History

The story of Camano Island State Park’s development is an inspirational reminder of Margaret Mead’s advice: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world.”

Indigenous Land

This scenic spot lies within the traditional territories of Coast Salish Indigenous people whose present-day descendants include members of the Tulalip Tribes, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, and Lummi Nation. For thousands of years the rich waters of Saratoga Passage on the park’s shore have provided habitat for a diverse community of life that forms the basis of their cultures. Among other resources, Camano Island was known for its plentiful elk and deer, clams and berries.

Local tribes ceded ownership of the area to the US federal government in the Treaty of Point Elliot in 1855, keeping rights to harvest natural resources in their usual and accustomed places, including the lands and waters around Camano Island. After government land surveys were completed, land making up the south part of the park area passed into private ownership with a Cash Entry Patent to H. J. Wortz in 1872.

The land in the north part of today’s park was among millions of acres granted to the State of Washington by the federal government at statehood in 1889 to support K-12 public schools. While most granted lands were retained in state trust ownership, the 40 acres where today’s Al Emerson Nature Trail winds through a remnant of old-growth forest were sold to A. D. Hallock in March 1919.

Volunteers Work to Make a State Park

In the 1940’s the South Camano Grange established a committee to address the needs of their community. They noted that “our entire shoreline was owned by individuals, resorts or real estate or lumber companies… The general public had no access to the beach.” At the Grange’s urging, on January 24, 1947, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (WSPRC) requested the Commissioner of Public Lands to set aside 92 acres of trust land on Camano Island for park purposes. The order establishing the withdrawal was signed by Commissioner of Public Lands Otto A. Case on April 4, 1947.

With WSPRC approval, the Grange organized a volunteer workday to build park facilities. Local mayors proclaimed a “State Park Day,” and nearby merchants closed their establishments to free their employees to volunteer. On July 27, 1949, more than 500 people came to the park site along with 3 bulldozers, 9 farm tractors, 34 pickup trucks, 3 wreckers and a team of horses. The women of the Grange served their traditional clam chowder, coffee, sandwiches, cookies, pop and ice cream for the volunteers. A doctor and nurse, with emergency supplies in a hospital tent, were on duty along with the State Fire Warden.

By the day’s end, the volunteers had placed picnic tables and park benches, cleared land and paths, and leveled the road and parking area at today’s North Beach. All labor—3,561 work-hours and 376 machine hours—and all expenses had been donated. The estimated value of the work was $6,000 (about $75,000 in 2022).

Park Ranger Al Emerson came to work at Camano Island State Park in 1952 and stayed until his retirement in 1973. He oversaw many of the park’s developments.

As the park grew more popular, the WSPRC investigated acquiring adjoining property. On November 14, 1958, 114 acres of the former Wortz and Hallock properties were purchased from the Chief Seattle Land Company for $60,000. Today’s campground, cabins, boat launch and the beloved madrona trees overlooking Point Lowell are found on this property.

In May 1987, a half-mile nature trail highlighting features of the park’s forest was dedicated in honor of Ranger Al Emerson.

Volunteers have remained an important part of Camano Island State Park. In 2006, the park began renting cabins, expanding overnight lodging beyond the campground. Some of the furniture in the new cabins was made by volunteers with wood milled from trees cleared from the park.