We drove through around the loop (slowly) and pulled off the road a few times to enjoy the views. It would be fun to walk too!
Washington Park is the westernmost point of Anacortes. There is more than ample parking and the Loop Road is a joy to drive. But better yet, walk the Loop Road. It is two miles of peace, tranquility and natural beauty. The the ten miles per hour, one lane one-way path is suitable for walking, running, biking, or driving. Along the way, you can stop at the beach and watch the shipping pass through Rosario Straight and behold the San Juan Islands at water level. Sunset at this spot can be spectacular! Or take one of the many marked trails, or stop at the most photographed trees in Washington. In addition, bird and critter watching can be fun. And look for the eagle tree less than a quarter mile from the entrance. If you are a camper, there is a wonderful, secluded campground in the park. Additionally, there is a boat ramp and picnic area if that is what you love.Whatever else you do in Anacortes, be sure to visit Washington Park. For couples, families, or athletes, It is a jewel of a destination.
We were quite surprised to have a quiet campground in late June. We stayed for a few days, mid-week, but loved the camping solitude and quick access to the beach, the town and the ferries into the San Juan Islands. As with all State Parks, you can expect the bathroom buildings to be pretty spartan.
My husband and and I walk the "Loop" every nearly every Sunday morning. A good two miles one way, this can be an aerobic exercise. There are steep climbs followed by level walking and descents down. Also beautiful stops to rest and enjoy the view. This park is used by many walking groups throughout the week. There are also many trails off the Loop taking one into the forests or out to views of the water, islands and mountains in the distance.This park is owned by the city of Anacortes and very well maintained. There is a beach, children's climbing apparatus, picnic tables a boat launch with plenty of trailer parking. I don't know much about the camp sites but they are tucked away in the woods and look well maintained. I've heard camping is for locals only but that may not be the case. There is a fee for camping.
Although you can drive the whole way by car it is the better choice to walk. It is a small roundtrip not too much to walk and there are so many spots to hold on for a second or two enjoying the different views. Saw my first bald eagle sitting on a tree near the water. A moment I will never forget.
I visited Washington Park to use the boat launch as a start/finish point for a day of kayaking. It was a fairly straight forward process and it wasn't that busy. By putting in at the boat launch I could kayak south to explore Burrows and Allan Islands. There can be a limited selection of places to stop along the way if the tide is high or the wind is up it is a wonderful place to launch for a day paddle.I can't really speak to the overall park experience but what I did see and utilize I found to be clean and easily accessible.
It's a slow curvy drive thru the park and worth every minute of the drive. Pullouts to park and benches to sit and watch the waves. Fresh air at its best!
Just a mile or so past the ferry terminal at the edge of Anacortes is Washington Park and what the locals call the "sunset loop". The park has ample picnic tables, a great playground, but I am writing about the sunset loop area.Follow the directions for the boat ramp parking and you will see the signs for the Loop Road. It is a very small and windy road that goes around the promontory for 3 + miles or so. Only one direction and just room for one car.But ditch the car and you can "walk the loop" - either direction! I prefer walking in "backwards" because you get an uphill section out of the way and your end your hike on the beach side rather than the forest but it is just a personal preference. While the road itself is an easy walk, there are some challenging hills and unless your kids are really hearty I don't recommend it for young kids to walk. Better to play at the beach and then drive the loop. If you are lucky with the weather, you will have amazing views of the Olympic Mountains, the Canadian Cascades and Mount Baker in the course of your walk. And you will definitely see the ferries, fishing and pleasure boats and the beautiful San Juans. Even if walking the road, take the well marked trails on the "water" side and you will be rewarded with even better vistas when the road goes more into the forest. You walk along the side of the bluff and through the forest and it is just peaceful and wonderful. When you reach a large open observation point at the top you are almost around the loop. Worth a destination if you are on a field trip to the area from Seattle or Vancouver, but especially worth a short detour before or after you take the ferries.
I love the road the circles the park. Nice boat launch and camping facilities. You'd never know you were just outside Anacortes.
Nice place to go just to relax and enjoy the view. But it also has good picnic areas, clean rest rooms, a boat launch, and camping.