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Spencer Spit
Overview
Spencer Spit State Park offers a quintessential San Juan Islands experience on the eastern shore of Lopez Island. This 200-acre marine park is famous for its unique sand spit that stretches toward Frost Island, creating a picturesque lagoon. It provides a peaceful, woodsy atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding saltwater views. Unlike more developed resorts, this park focuses on preserving the natural landscape, offering travelers a chance to disconnect and enjoy the rhythmic tides of the Salish Sea.
Location & Surroundings
Situated on the eastern edge of Lopez Island, the park is accessible via the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes. Lopez is often called the Friendly Island for its slower pace and flat terrain, making it popular for cyclists. The park’s geography includes high bluffs, lush evergreen forests, and a distinctive triangular spit that nearly connects to a nearby private island. The surrounding waters are calm, providing a sheltered environment for marine life and quiet beach walks.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground at Spencer Spit is categorized as primitive, meaning it is ideal for self-contained RVs or those seeking a rustic stay. While there are no utility hookups available, the park provides essential facilities including flush toilets, seasonal showers, and potable water stations. Most sites are located in the forest, offering significant privacy and shade. There are specifically designated walk-in beach sites for those without vehicles, but the RV-accessible spots can accommodate rigs up to a maximum of 30 feet depending on the specific site.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do, from clamming and crabbing on the beach to exploring the two miles of hiking trails that wind through the forest. The calm lagoon is perfect for launching kayaks or paddleboards to explore the shoreline. For a change of scenery, visitors can head into Lopez Village, just a short drive or bike ride away, to browse local bakeries, galleries, and cafes. The island is also home to the Shark Reef Sanctuary, offering views of seals and sea lions.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is best suited for travelers who prefer a natural, quiet camping experience over luxury amenities. It is a favorite for owners of smaller travel trailers, camper vans, or truck campers who enjoy dry camping in a scenic setting. Because Lopez Island is known for its gentle topography, it is also an excellent basecamp for RVers who enjoy bringing their bicycles. If you value wildlife sightings, beachcombing, and a slow travel philosophy, this park is a perfect match.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Jasmine Luckhurst
This used to be my family's property way back in the olden days. Awesome beach, you can spend hours just looking for cool rocks. Also a great place to swim, SUP, or kayak! Love this beach.
John Cummins
I give it five stars, but from a boater's perspective, it deserves less. I must say this place is very popular, but I simply cannot see why. #1 It is a spit, so it is out in the wind. We have been cruising the San Juans for decades, and it is always blowing here. The one good thing about the spit is that there is always a lee shore with a buoy where you can get away from the wind driven waves but not the wind itself. #2 It's a long walk to the park bathrooms, nuff said. #3 There is a swampy area on the spit, making transporting and pushing bikes a pain. The park is nice and fairly big for those coming by car, but for boaters, it is just a windy place to grab a buoy. I'll post a pic of my wife and son on a day when there was no wind. See more of our cruising reviews including Spencer Spit at sailingthesanjuans
Chris Floyd
An absolutely wonderful campground! The sites have good privacy and quite a bit of shade. The beach is beautiful and not crowded. If you are looking for a couples camping experience, I recommend a stay during the week as there are less young ones. Biking, hiking, exploring and beaches are an amazing experience here. Walking around the Spit is a wonderful experience! All the different species of wildlife is pretty amazing!
Rosemarie Wentz
Perfect time of year for ocean spray. It was billowing everywhere and the scent In the morning was Devine. The Hosts were great. Lot of space between sites. Bathrooms were clean and they had a play ground for the kids. Nice hikes within the park and a long the spit. Boat and bike rentals too!
Brock Gardner
Great Park. Clean and well hosted campground, space between the sites, all sorts of trails, and short hikes. ample wildlife for a homan occupied area. Don't miss out on the shoreline. come by car, by boat, by bicycle. this is a solid choice.