Stanwood & Camano
There’s
2025 Explore: Stanwood and Camano, Copyright 2025
Published June 3, 2025
A supplement of Stanwood Camano News PO Box 999, Stanwood, WA 98282
PHONE: 360.424.3251
The Magic of Stanwood
Less than an hour north of Seattle and away from the big-city buzz is charming and quaint Stanwood — a small town with big character. With a population of about 9,000 people, the city is full of rich history and is home to a growing business and entertainment community. A drive through Stanwood can take visitors across agricultural lands, parks, trails, and more.
HISTORY
What is now Stanwood was settled in 1866 as a trading post. The area was first called Centerville, and soon developed into two towns — Stanwood and East Stanwood. They were referred to as the “Twin Cities,” and the two downtowns in today’s Stanwood are still referred to as the Twin City Mile. By 1960, the two towns had incorporated to create the City of Stanwood.
Being situated at the mouth of the Stillaguamish River and near Skagit
Bay, Stanwood acted as a base of operations to get logs from the forests to the mills elsewhere in the Salish Sea. Today, you can explore the area’s history by stopping by the Stanwood Area Historical Society at 27112 102nd Ave. NW or visit online at sahs-fncc. org.
You can also read the ongoing Stanwood Camano News series “Exploring History” by Mary Jennings, which dives into specific topics of the area’s past.
ADVENTURE
Stanwood is also home to fun activities for all ages!
Several parks and trails have opened up or received upgrades in the past few years, providing even more opportunities for adventure. Visitors can meet friends and family in town to grab a morning cup of Joe at one of the bakeries or coffee shops on Main Street before heading out to explore the area.
Then, take off on a relaxing bike ride
through the city, challenge a friend to some pickleball, or take your pup to the new dog park at Heritage Park. The possibilities are endless.
At the end of the day, wind down at one of the several unique eateries along the Twin City Mile. Cuisine options range from American to Chinese to Thai to Japanese and more.
To wrap up the night, catch a glimpse of a beautiful Stanwood sunset and feel the evening breeze roll in.
SHOPPING
With an ever-growing business community, Stanwood is the perfect spot for a shopping trip.
Along the brick road in West Stanwood near the intersection of 102nd Ave. NW and 270th St. NW, you can find an antique store, a boutique, a tattoo shop, and several restaurants.
In East Stanwood, along 271st St. NW, another collection of independent stores and eateries congregate. There, you can visit a clothing store, a bakery, a cupcake shop, and numerous popular restaurants.
The growing uptown district to the east — near the intersection of Highway 532 and 732nd Ave. NW — features its own collection of independent businesses, including grocery stores, gyms, eateries, and more.
Chill out on
Camano
Enjoy island time without sitting in a ferry line on scenic Camano Island.
Hop on Highway 532 and head west until you meet the Mark Clark bridge, which will take you across the Stillaguamish River and onto the island. While much of Camano is made up of residential neighborhoods, the area also offers an array of outdoor activities, commercial businesses, and a robust art scene.
ON THE WATER
Crabbing is the top attraction on Camano Island beaches. Six boat launches are scattered throughout the island — English Boom, Utsalady, Maple Grove, Camano Island State Park, Mabana, and Cavalero. But you’ll need to acquire a crabbing license, pots, rope, buoys, bait, and lots of patience first. Check wdfw.wa.gov for rules, regulations, and more tips. If catching dinner isn’t the plan, don’t get crabby! You can still enjoy a blissful boat trip, dip your toes in the
sand, or enjoy a kayaking adventure in the tranquil waters of Camano.
ADVENTURE
While many tourists visit the island for its pristine beaches, there are many more ways to have fun!
Camaloch Golf Course offers 18 picturesque holes (camalochgolf. com), and Arrowhead Ranch is home to an axe-throwing venue and outdoor play area for children (arrowheadranchcamano.com).
Kristoferson Farm also offers zip line adventures (canopytoursnw.com).
While visiting the island, you’ll also find miles of family-friendly trails. Barnum Point, Cama Beach State Park, and Camano Island State Park are the perfect places for a stroll.
SIP & SHOP
A handful of breweries and wineries
offer a selection of drinks for anyone seeking refreshments after a long day of adventures.
Shops are concentrated in the Camano
Commons Marketplace at 848 N Sunrise Boulevard and in the Camano Plaza at 370 NE Camano Drive.
The Commons features a brewery,
restaurants, a coffee shop, a library, and more. The Plaza is home to the island’s lone grocery store, a hardware store, and eateries.
Plenty of restaurants serve locally made drinks and locally grown produce while offering indoor and outdoor seating. For more, visit camanoisland.org.
LAUNCHES
Public motorized boat launches on Camano include English Boom, Utsalady, Maple Grove, Mabana, Cavalero, and Camano Island State Park. Fees are required.
Public motorized boat launches near Stanwood are Wenberg Park at Lake Goodwin, Kayak Point on Port Susan, Lake Ki, and Hat Slough on the Stillaguamish River.
Public beaches for non-motorized craft: Iverson Spit Preserve, Barnum Point Park, English Boom Preserve, Utsalady, Maple Grove, Mabana, Cavalero, Cama Beach State Park, Camano Island State Park, Leque Island, Hamilton Park, Hat Slough, and Kayak Point Park.
CRABBING 101
Step 1
You’ll need a license, so visit wdfw. wa.gov or one of the area’s stores, such as Huntington’s on Camano Island. Crabbers 15 and older must carry a current license.
Step 2
Get your gear: a pot, rope, buoy, and bait are available at local marine or hardware stores.
Step 3
Get away from shore by using a boat or a pier, usually to areas up to about 20 to 100 feet. The law requires at least one life jacket for each person on board a boat, and for children 12 and younger to wear one.
Step 4
Eat! Cook your catch for about 15 minutes in boiling water, transfer to an ice bath, and then crack, clean, and enjoy.
Step 5
Don’t forget that you must report your catch at the end of the season. Follow the instructions on your license.
LAKES
There are multiple warm lakes just to the east. Lake Goodwin is the largest, featuring two public parks with swimming, picnicking, and playgrounds. There is also the recently
remodeled Wenberg County Park. Water sports and fishing can be enjoyed year-round.
RIVERS
The Stillaguamish River is the main river in the region. You can experience the river by taking Highway 530 to Darrington. On your way, you can stop at a shady spot to cast a line for salmon, steelhead, and trout.
It’s the same story to the north, where the Skagit River winds its way from the Cascades to the Salish Sea.
FISHING
Between Camano Island and the mainland is a body of water called Port Susan. To the north of Stanwood and Camano is Skagit Bay. To the west, the four-mile-wide Saratoga Passage separates Camano and Whidbey islands. If you don’t have access to a boat, several charter-fishing guides
offer fishing, crabbing, and shrimping trips. Most set their sights on king, silver, and blackmouth salmon. Some try their hand at smelt dipping.
Set up camp
In Stanwood-Camano, you don’t have to travel far or fight traffic to find a perfect spot to sleep under the stars. If camping isn’t in your plans, there are also many vacation rentals on sites including Airbnb and Vrbo. Or just spend the day enjoying public spaces on the island.
WENBERG COUNTY PARK
On the eastern shore of Lake
Goodwin, Wenberg County Park’s 45 acres offer campsites, spots for a picnic, boating, and camping. The park also includes 1,140 feet of freshwater shoreline with a two-lane concrete boat launch.
Wenberg County Park won the Washington Recreation and Parks Association Spotlight Award for an Outdoor Space in 2021, highlighting its excellence and achievements in the field of parks and recreation by honoring the efforts of public agencies and design firms.
Wenberg is at 15430 E Lake Goodwin Road in Stanwood.
CAMANO ISLAND STATE PARK
This gem of a park is one of the few places available to camp on Camano Island. Amenities include accessible campsites, docks, hiking trails, picnic tables, and an amphitheater. With a license, you can clam, fish, and crab.
Come relax and enjoy a scenic shoreline with breathtaking views of the Puget Sound.
Camano Island State Park is at 2269 S Lowell Point Road on Camano.
Island County parks: islandcountywa.gov
Snohomish County parks: snocoparks.org
State parks: parks.wa.gov
Darrow’s
KAYAK POINT COUNTY PARK
Things at Kayak Point will look a little different than visitors are used to this year as Snohomish County works to complete a major upgrade at the site.
The day-use area and campground are open, but the playground is closed indefinitely and will reopen as construction continues.
Completed improvements include replacing the on-grade boat launch with a single-lane, elevated boat launch, debris deflectors, queuing lanes, and vehicle and truck/trailer parking.
Kayak Point County Park is at 15711 Marine Drive south of Stanwood.
Lasting memories
Adventure awaits at nearly every turn in the StanwoodCamano area. Here are some family-friendly ideas to get you started:
PLAY AT THE PARK
Freedom Park is located on the north end of Camano Island. It features a playground, statues, and a gateway art gallery for visitors of all ages to explore.
In Stanwood, Church Creek Park and Heritage Park are the places to be. Church Creek is home to a playground and basketball court, while Heritage Park has covered dugouts, a dog park,
pickleball courts, and a skate park. Cama Beach State Park on Camano offers acres of trails to explore and has a cafe on-site to grab a bite when you’re done.
GET ACTIVE
The newly opened Port Susan Trail in Stanwood starts at the Park and Ride and heads west along Highway 532, skirting the southern edge of the Stanwood floodplain.
It loops around the wastewater treatment lagoon and crosses to Hamilton Landing Park. A short jaunt goes to the Boy Scout overlook behind Mission Motors, offering people a scenic place for a walk or run in town.
Port Susan Trail is a multi-phase project that will result in a five-mile loop that connects community members to downtown Stanwood’s
businesses, parks, and waterfront.
Once complete, the trail will go across Irvine Slough, through the west end of downtown to Heritage Park. From Heritage Park, the path will make its way back to Stanwood Park and Ride.
PLAY DISC GOLF
Dust off that old Frisbee in the garage and head to Church Creek Park in Stanwood to find a popular disc golf course.
Or head south to the Kayak Point County Park Disc Golf Resort — featuring several professional public courses along with a pro shop.
VISIT THE BEACH
Barnum Point Park has something for everyone. Wide trails, beach access, and plentiful wildlife make
for a beautiful and scenic trip. It’s worth the trek at any time of the year. (whidbeycamanoislands.com/ activities/barnum-point/).
Much of Camano Island is surrounded by rocky beaches, but Iverson Spit Preserve is one of the few public places to put your feet in the sand. It’s perfect for sunbathing, having a picnic, and watching the birds fly by.
English Boom County Park also offers a beach with sweeping views of the Skagit Bay and Mount Baker.
TREASURE HUNT
Each February, you can join the Northwest Glass Quest.
Questers flock to the StanwoodCamano area to search for small plastic “clue balls,” which get turned in for hand-blown glass balls.
The Camano Chamber organizes the event each year and has recently implemented a Kind Quester program, helping people remember that finding a ball is not everything, and having fun along the way is most important.
GO BIRDING
Bald eagles, geese, ducks, and more can be seen in Stanwood-Camano — considered the state’s premier area to watch birds.
The region is probably most famous for snow geese and trumpeter swans that winter in the area’s lowlands. But new habitat restoration areas, such as Leque Island between Stanwood and Camano, have become popular birding destinations.
The Stanwood-Camano area is
between two active Audubon chapters: Skagit, based in Mount Vernon, and Pilchuck, based in Everett. Here, birders join either or both. Find information, connections and online presentations through skagitaudubon.org, pilchuckaudubon. org, and ebird.org.
GO WHALE WATCHING
Whale watching is a popular activity here in the Salish Sea area.
Some companies offer a close-up look with boat tours, but there are also many viewpoints on land to spot the majestic creatures. Even if you don’t spot a whale, the views of the area make it all worth it.
See a list of public viewpoints at whidbeycamanoislands.com/whalewatching-from-land.
Gray whales are seen most commonly, and Orcas are rarer but typically make a few appearances throughout the year.
SEE AMAZING ART
Stanwood and Camano Island are home to a vibrant art scene, offering visitors a chance to see handmade masterpieces all year round.
The area is home to art organizations, including the Stanwood-Camano Arts Advocacy Commission and
the Camano Arts Association. CAA operates a gateway gallery at Freedom Park on Camano, open Fridays 12-4 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays 12-4 p.m.
The gallery features fine art and crafts of CAA member artists for viewing, collecting, and gifting. It serves as a meeting place for residents and visitors and features a virtual visitor kiosk from the Camano Island Chamber of Commerce with information about the area.
On the calendar
Numerous events occur throughout the year in the Stanwood-Camano area, many of which have become community traditions. Dates and locations are subject to change, so it is recommended that visitors check with event organizers to confirm details.
JUNE
Stanwood-Camano Pride: 12-4 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at Freedom Park on Camano Island. Free admission. facebook.com/ stanwoodcamanopride
Stanwood Farmers Market: 2-6 p.m. on Fridays, May through September, featuring a mix of new and returning vendors. The market is behind the Stanwood Police Station and takes place rain or shine. To participate as a vendor, see various pricing listed on the website. The market is closed for the Fourth of July. stanwoodfarmersmarket.org
Stanwood-Camano Soap Box Derby: Saturday, June 14 at 615 Arrowhead Road. The Soap Box Derby is an annual event at Arrowhead Ranch on Camano Island where children have the opportunity to build and race an official soap box car. Registration costs $100 and children ages 7-19 can compete. stanwoodcamanoisland. soapboxderby.org
Stanfest 2025: Three concerts will take place in Stanwood throughout the summer at Church Creek Park on June 28, July 19, and Aug. 16 between 6-8 p.m. There will be vendors, music headliners, food trucks, and places
for kids to play. Free admission. stanwoodcommercealliance.org/ stanfest
Twin City Idlers Car Show: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, June 29, in downtown Stanwood. The Twin City Idlers Car Show features a full lineup of timeless automobiles, from vintage marvels to modern classics. Registration fees are $20 for those registering before June 10th and $25 after, up until the day of the event. twincityidlers.org
JULY
Silvana Fair: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 26. Parking and entrance are free. 1331 Pioneer Highway in Silvana. silvanafair.com
Bloom Fest: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 26 and 27 at Our Legacy Fields in Stanwood. Bloom Fest is a lavender festival with vendors, live folk music, food trucks, lavender ice cream, U-Pick Lavender Gardens, games, raffles, demos, tours, scavenger hunts, and picnics in the field. ourlegacyfields.com
AUGUST
Stanwood-Camano Community Fair: Aug. 1-3 at 6431 Pioneer Highway in Stanwood. The fair will run from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Friday
and Saturday, and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. The largest community fair in Washington State featuring rides, animals, vendors, food, and more. Various ticket pricing can be found on the website and tickets can be bought either online or in-person. stanwoodcamanofair.org
Stanwood-Camano Community Parade: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 2, 2025, in downtown Stanwood. Hosted by the local Rotary Club, this year’s parade theme is “Magic.” stanwoodrotary.org
National Night Out: 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 5, in the parking lot behind the Stanwood Police Station. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes public safety, community partnerships, and neighborhood camaraderie. Registration online is required, but free of charge. natw.org Movies in the Park: Aug. 7, 14, and 21 at Church Creek Park in Stanwood. Movies begin at dusk. Come see any and all free showings with complimentary water and popcorn! Moana 2 will be playing Aug. 7; Little Rascals on Aug. 14 and Top Gun Maverick on Aug. 21. stanwoodwa. org/609/Movies-in-the-Park
Camano Ciderfest: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 30 and 31 at the Camano Commons Marketplace. Ciderfest is a tasting event filled with ciders, live music, and food vendors. Early bird and general admission tickets can be purchased online. camanocommons. com/ciderfest
SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER
MAC Fest: Labor Day weekend. MAC Fest is a multi-day art festival with events throughout the area hosted by the Stanwood-Camano Arts
Advocacy Commission. scaacwa.org
Art by the Bay: Oct. 10-12 at the Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road. Put on by the StanwoodCamano Arts Guild, this event offers shopping from several local artist booths. Free admission. stanwoodcamano.art
Ghouls Night Out: Halloween from 3-6 p.m. in downtown Stanwood. Join the City of Stanwood for free trick-or-treating, costumes, candy, and more. stanwoodwa.org/608/ Ghouls-Night-Out
The Wonder of Christmas: 6-9 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Camano City Schoolhouse. See the historic schoolhouse light up for a Hallmarkworthy Christmas celebration with treats, music, and a giant Christmas tree. Free admission. camanoschoolhouse.org
The Lights of Christmas: Evenings starting Nov. 28 until Dec. 28 at Warm Beach Camp in Stanwood. The largest Christmas festival in the Pacific Northwest, with more than 1 million lights. Various ticket prices can be found on the website. thelightsofchristmas.com
Old-Fashioned Christmas: In December, take part in an oldfashioned Christmas celebration at The Floyd in Stanwood. A free community event with holidaythemed children’s activities. Free admission. sahs-fncc.org
JANUARY-FEBRUARY
Country Living & Modern Homesteading Expo: In late January, the Washington State University Livestock Advisor Program and the nonprofit Livestock Master Foundation host the Country Living and Modern Homesteading Expo, featuring about 180 courses on various topics at Stanwood High School. extension.wsu.edu/skagit/ countrylivingexpo
Northwest Glass Quest: In midFebruary, the Camano Chamber of Commerce hosts a 10-day treasure hunt throughout the StanwoodCamano area. Participants can win unique, hand-blown glass balls. Free admission. northwestglassquest.com
Snow Goose and Birding Festival: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Feb. 28. Organized by the Stanwood Historical Society, the festival features presentations,
workshops, shuttle tours to the best bird-watching spots in the area, vendors, and more. Tickets cost $10 per person; children 12 and under are FREE. sahs-fncc.org
MARCH-MAY
McClinchy Camano Classic Century: Held on April 26, 2026, the McClinchy Classic is an annual fundraiser with proceeds going back into local bicycling programs and nonprofits. Participants have multiple routes to choose from with varying difficulties. Registration costs $65 until Mar. 31, rising to $75 after. bikesclub.org/ mcclinchy
Camano Island Studio Tour: Held Mother’s Day weekend and the weekend after, the self-guided Camano Island Studio Tour features dozens of local artists who welcome attendees into their studios to view and purchase art. Free admission. camanostudiotour.com
Camano Island Mother’s Day Art Festival: Mother’s Day weekend at Terry’s Corner, 848 N. Sunrise Blvd, Camano Island. Free admission. artsfestivals.org/festivals
