RVshare.com

Fort Ebey State Park RV & Campground Guide

Washington

Fort Ebey State Park is named for the fortified bunkers built in World War II to defend the entrance to Washington's Puget Sound. The bunkers have been preserved and remain a major attraction in addition to the 645-acre park’s miles of hiking and biking trails, campground, and beach. The beach offers unique adventures, like seasonal seaweed harvesting and shellfish hunting, and the waters host orcas and grey whales. Mild summers make the area a great escape.

Nearby Cities:

  • Oak Harbor, WA

  • Port Townsend, WA

  • Seattle, WA

  • Coupeville, WA

National Park Sample Image
Weather
Spring 48-63 F
Summer 49-72 F
Fall 39-68 F
Winter 35-49 F
National Park Sample Image
Trip Planner
Use our FREE RV trip planner to begin customizing the perfect RV trip. Continue
National Park Sample Image

RV Resorts & Campsites in Fort Ebey State Park

Campground Accommodations

Fort Ebey State Park Campground

  • Water hookup: Yes

  • Electrical hookup: Yes

  • Sewer hookup: No

  • Wi-Fi: No

  • Pet-friendly: Yes

  • Max RV length: 40 feet

  • Other amenities: Dump station, restrooms, showers, picnic tables

Fort Ebey State Park Campground

One of the simplest ways of enjoying Fort Ebey is to camp right within the Fort Ebey State Park Campground. They have 11 partial-hookup sites that have water and electricity hookups and can accommodate most RV sizes. There are two showers and a restroom located nearby, but there’s no dump station located within the state park. Fees start at $30 per night depending on the season, and you can book your spot online.

Fort Townsend State Park Campground

Located just across Port Townsend Bay, Fort Townsend State Park Campground offers 40 standard campsites. These will have water nearby, and there is a dump station located within the park. One shower and two restrooms are available, and the park can accommodate RVs of up to 40 feet in length. Rates start at $20 per night, and you can make reservations online.

North Whidbey RV Park

North Whidbey RV Park is just north of Fort Ebey State Park and can serve as a base camp for the many state parks in the area. It has 100 full hookups and is across the street from Deception Pass State Park. Other amenities included are free Wi-Fi, hot showers, heated restrooms, coin-operated laundry, a clubhouse, and a fenced pet area. Rates start at $40 per night and require a deposit to hold your reservation. You can also book your spot online with the park's website.

RV Rentals Near Fort Ebey State Park

Nearby RV Rentals

Restaurants

What to Do at
Fort Ebey State Park

The park has lots of ways to engage with nature, including trails, a fishing and swimming lake, and a driftwood-lined beach. Surfing and parasailing offer adventurous guests thrills and fresh ways to see and experience the area. A visit isn’t complete, however, without visiting the historic World War II bunkers still open for exploration.

Dig into history and hunt for seashells on the beach at low tide. The trails are just the beginning. Those who’d like to learn more about the park’s history can take guided tours led by resident experts.

Inside Fort Ebey State Park

On the west side of Whidbey Island situated on a high bluff, Fort Ebey was once a coastal fortress used during WWII. While here, you can explore the various underground rooms and gun emplacements of the fortress along with over 25 miles of trails. Some more adventurous visitors enjoy paragliding from the bluff. Explore the beach with ease, and there’s even a spot popular with surfers as well.

Fishing Fishing

A small lake in the park offers freshwater fishing, particularly for smallmouth bass. In addition to regular fishing, the park offers shellfishing and seaweed harvesting on the beach. If you plan to fish or hunt for shellfish or seaweed, you will need appropriate fishing licenses.

Geocaching Geocaching

Treasure hunters can find a number of caches in the park, including traditional caches. The park also participates in state-wide geocaching challenges, and the park is a must-visit for anyone trying to fill their state park geocache passport.

Nature Watching Nature Watching

Smith and Minor Island Aquatic Reserve is just to the north, and lots of animals that thrive in the reserve swim near or fly to the park’s shore. These includes grey whales and orcas in the summer. Sea lions and otters come and go from the area, and the park is a fantastic place for birding. Guests frequently spot avian superstars like bald eagles and kingfishers.

Stargazing Stargazing

Whidbey Island, where the park is located, is known for stargazing. The area isn’t densely populated, and the surrounding water isolates the park, cutting down on light pollution. It’s a fun place to bring a telescope and star chart. Keep in mind that cooler months will have less atmospheric haze, but stargazing is so good that nearby towns have stargazing events in the summer.

Flora and Fauna

The park includes multiple ecological zones, and plants vary from sedge and cattails to Western hemlock, Douglas fir, willow, red cedar, and maple trees. The area also has plenty of snowberry, elderberry, and huckleberry plants. The wildlife is just as diverse, including black-tailed deer, sea otters, sea lions, porpoises, orcas, grey whales, and coyotes.

Hiking Hiking

The park offers miles of trails, and the best route to see all the area has to offer is the Fort Ebey State Park Loop. The loop includes multiple trails, including the Bluff Trail, which offers incredible views of the Olympic Mountains. The whole loop is 7.1 miles and moderately difficult. Families hiking with children may enjoy the Lake Pondilla Loop. It’s an easy 1.4-mile hike around the park’s freshwater lake with lots of opportunities for bird watching.

Boating

Paddle boarding and kayaking are extremely popular in the park. The park overlooks the entrance to the Puget Sound, and the aquatic reserve to the north encourages lots of wildlife you may encounter while paddling, so be on the lookout for whales, sea lions, and otters. Paddling here is also more like boating on the ocean than paddling on a lake, so take all necessary precautions. Although there aren’t kayak and paddle board rentals in the park proper, there are many nearby.

Swimming Swimming

The coast is largely rocky, and while plenty of people enjoy water sports in the area, it isn’t always great for swimming. Swimming is allowed, however, and splashing in the shallows is a refreshing thrill if you have good water shoes to protect your feet.

Biking

Bikes are welcome in the park, and essentially all the trails are mountain bike friendly. Bikers should take special care to mind hikers, however, especially on trails near steep drops, like the Bluff Trail.

National Park Sample Image

How to Get to
Fort Ebey State Park

From Seattle, take Interstate 5 North for roughly 17 miles. Then follow exit 182 for WA-525 North and follow WA-525 to the Clinton-Mukilteo ferry. Take the ferry across the Sound, and then continue on WA-525 for roughly 62 miles. Continue onto State Route 20 East. Continue for roughly 9 miles, then turn left on Libbey Road. Follow that for 1.5 miles, and then take a left onto Hill Valley Drive. Turn right on Valley Drive and continue until you reach the parking area.

Entering Fort Ebey State Park

Entrance fees vary, but a one-day pass is $10 per person and a season pass is $30.

Fort Ebey State Park Discovery Pass (One-Day) : $10.0

Fort Ebey State Park Discovery Pass (Annual) : $30.0

The annual pass can be used at all Washington state parks and state-managed areas.

Are you looking forward to your visit to Fort Ebey State Park? The RVshare team looks forward to hearing about your latest adventure. Feel free to tag RVshare in your social media posts, and you can share your memories and snapshots directly by emailing [email protected]. Your submissions might even be featured on the RVshare blog or social media pages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Ebey State Park

What is the best time of year to visit Fort Ebey State Park?

Many of the park’s amenities shut down in winter, and the area enjoys mild summers, making June through August the best time to enjoy the sun and sea breeze. Early and mid-summer are the best times to visit if you hope to see whales in the park.

What kind of wildlife can be found in Fort Ebey State Park?

The area has lots of birds and marine life, but animals like black-tailed deer, coyote, rabbits, and raccoons live on the island where the park is situated. Eagles, kingfishers, herons, falcons, loons, owls, woodpeckers, and many other birds visit, and guests might spy sea otters, orcas, grey whales, sea lions, and porpoises near or on the shore.

Are there designated RV camping spots in Fort Ebey State Park?

There are designated RV-friendly camping spots in the park’s official campground. Water and electric hookups are available at 10 of the campsites.

Do you have to reserve a camping spot at Fort Ebey State Park and what is the cost?

Reservations are encouraged during peak season from May through September, and you must reserve your site at least 24 hours before you arrive, but outside of reservations, camping spots are first come, first serve, and not all are suitable for RVs. Costs range depending on the site and day, but you can plan to spend $25 to $30 per night.

Are pets allowed at Fort Ebey State Park?

The park permits dogs in three areas: the campgrounds, hiking trails, and beach. Pets must be leashed at all times on a leash no longer than 8 feet in length, and owners must pick up and dispose of waste properly.