Cama Beach Project

Special commission meeting regarding Cama Beach Cabins

A special commission meeting regarding the long-term opening of the cabins will be held Mon., July 15, in Stanwood, Wash. More information can be found on the commission meetings page. 

What is happening? 

Significant parts of the septic system recently failed. This was an unplanned event and requires an ongoing emergency response. Additionally, winter storms recently damaged the already compromised seawall at the park. Any repairs will require extensive disturbance of the area, which has known environmental and cultural complexities. 

What is closed at the park? 

As of Feb. 26, 2024, the cabins and restrooms in the lower area at Cama Beach State Park are closed until further notice. The Center for Wooden Boats, store and park office are also closed. Day use in that area will remain open but restrooms will only be available in other parts of the park. The rest of the park is open as usual. A special commission meeting regarding the long-term opening of the cabins will be held Mon., July 15, in Stanwood, Wash. More information can be found on the commission meetings page. 

Closing any part of a park is never a decision we take lightly. This has been particularly challenging considering the site’s cultural significance, the park’s popularity and importance to the community. 

We know this is disrupting and disappointing to those in the community, and we are sorry for the inconvenience this may cause. We hope you’ll consider visiting one of the other parks in the area. 

What is next? 

A comprehensive planning process has started to answer the question about the future of the use of the park. This process will include examination of State Parks recreation in this area. 

Planning takes into account the aging seawall, the impacts of sea level rise and coastal bluff erosion, our current infrastructure, and regulatory requirements. This work is being done in consultation with impacted Tribal Nations and with many opportunities for public input. 

As we continue to evaluate the site, it is possible additional mitigations or closures of parts of the park will take place. 

When will the cabins reopen? 

We are continuing to assess the situation and do not yet have a determination about when or if the cabins can be reopened. The cabins will be closed for the remainder of 2024 and ongoing until further notice. A special commission meeting regarding the long-term opening of the cabins will be held Mon., July 15, in Stanwood Wash. More information can be found on the commission meetings page. We will keep our website and the public updated with any new information. 

Why is it taking so long to provide a timeline or plan for reopening? 

This is a complex situation with many environmental and cultural sensitivities. We must work through numerous federal and state processes that include environmental, structural, cultural and archeological assessments. In addition to the current challenges with the septic system and seawall, there are future challenges we also must account for. Cama Beach State Park is our park system’s most vulnerable park due to rising sea levels. All of this means the planning process will take some time to finalize. 

How can I provide input into the planning process? 

Public input is an important part of the planning process. There will be many opportunities for the public to weigh in throughout the process. All events will be listed on this page – see the section “Community participation” below for details. You can provide comments and feedback anytime via the online comment form.