What to Do While You're Here

We'd be glad to help you pick...

Boats and Other Water Recreation

We welcome boating enthusiasts who will be using Camano Island as a launching spot while they tour the beautiful waters of Puget Sound. Several launch areas can be found on Camano Island. Favorite day trips include, motoring to Mukilteo or Langley, taking a run to the Hood Canal, or adventuring to LaConner and Deception Pass (watch your tides!). For a great summary of boating near Camano Island click on the following web site--NW Boating.

Nature, Birding & Trails

Camano Island's rolling green pastures and moderate weather encourage abundant wildlife habitats. Many species of animals--particularly birds--nest on the island. Eagles, hawks, shorebirds, snow geese, heron, and trumpeter swans choose migratory paths to include stops on Camano Island and the Skagit Valley farmlands.

Iverson Spit has recently been added to the WA Audubon map as one of the best places in WA to bird watch. In addition Camano Island has a Blue Heronry. Sizable Snow Geese and Trumpeter Swan migrations occur in Skagit and Island Counties from February through April.

The island also is home to nesting eagles and is a stop over point for eagle migrations.

There are several miles of gorgeous hiking trails on Camano Island. We can provide you with detailed maps when you arrive. Most trails are marked and represent the diverse nature of Camano Island. Examples include: the Al Emerson Nature Trail which has Interpretive stations, the Beach Trail which is an easy walk at only one mile long, and the Park Perimeter Loop Trail which has numerous view areas. The Cross Island Trail goes through the Dry Lake Wetland Preserve. The Cama Beach trail system has three separate trails, an overlook, and an interpretive area. The Elger Bay Preserve trail is 2.5 miles long and features several forest loops.

Camano Island's Arts Community and Antiques

There are scores of opportunities to enjoy Camano Island's fine art and studios. Camano Island is home to David Maritz whose bronze and silver sculptures often focus on wildlife and birds. We also have the Pilchuck Glass School Staff Exhibit & Sale, Jack Gunter's paintings, Vicki Dodge's wearable fiber art clothing, and several destination galleries.

Another favorite is the Mother's Day Studio Tour during which the Camano Arts Association opens twenty-two studios, galleries and gardens in the Stanwood and Camano Island area to guests who wish to see artists actually creating their works. In nearby LaConner there are "Gallery Art Walks" the second Saturday of every month from 5:00–8:00 PM for after dinner art, conversation, dessert and entertainment.

A favorite activity of ours is taking a day trip to LaConner to see the Museum of Northwest Art and to visit other fine art galleries and woodcrafters. Ask us for the latest guides to art shows and presentations. There are great restaurants, craftsman shops, boutiques, and coffee shops as well.

Special Drives & Day Trips

Tulalip Casino (opening June 2003)

Just 20 minutes away is one of the Northwest's newest and largest gaming casinos. Without a doubt the New Tulalip Casino is "gi-huge-ic". There are 124,000 square feet of gaming areas, 12,600 s.f. of restaurant space, a 7,000 s.f. Cabaret lounge, and a 10,000 s.f. mezzanine.

The exterior design is of dynamic waterfalls and Orca whales chasing salmon. A very unique aspect of the casino design is a center dome with stars of the night. The dome's outer ring is bordered with glittering aqua blue starlight and a sparkling gold light-tube chandelier.

With more than 5,000 parking stalls and 24 hour operation Wednesday through Monday (Monday and Tuesday 10:00am to 6:00am) the casino and live entertainment areas will be the talk of the town.

Chuckanut Drive

This 2 hour (each way) drive along a coastal winding road actually runs parallel to Interstate 5. The drive starts in the agriculture valley and connects the Skagit Bay area to eclectic and fun Fairhaven. Along the way there are a few cafes, two high-end restaurants, a shellfish farm, and one or two shops selling local art and "bobbles and beads". Our favorite is a small bamboo nursery in the town of Bow, which is just before the road begins to climb out of the flatlands. There are spots to stop and enjoy a picnic or compose a prize winning picture. Take your time to enjoy the views of Skagit Bay, North Puget Sound, parts of the San Juan Islands and the thick woods that border the eastern shoulder. About 6 miles south of Bellingham, be sure to explore Larrabee State Park, (Washington's oldest marine park) and take an excursion down Cove Road. Fairhaven (South Bellingham) is the end of the line for driving beautiful Chuckanut Drive. This area is the "southern terminus" of the Alaska State Ferry system. The village of Fairhaven is a unique waterfront community with many of the original red brick buildings from the late 19th century. Fairhaven also has several good cafes and eateries. If it's really late when you decide to head home, and you don't want to take the coastal road at night, you can just hop on I-5 and drive the 45 miles or so to the Stanwood Camano exit.

Deception Pass

An absolutely grand opportunity to see nature at its finest. The Deception Pass span is several hundred feet tall and is a spectacular bridge that joins Whidbey Island to the mainland. The waters of the pass are known to have rapid currents, weird eddies, and frothing swirling waters during tide changes. The State Park is a gem and in good weather a picnic lunch on the beach is a real treat.

LaConner

Artistic, clean, and festival oriented. From Camano Island, LaConner is accessed by driving through the world famous Skagit Flats, which by the way are home of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. The trip will only take about 30-40 minutes. LaConner is full of art galleries, boating, and fine eateries. This little town is a great breath of fresh air. On you way to LaConner look for the Roozengaarde Display Garden with its windmill and fresh flowers. Another treat is Christianson's Nursery and Display Garden.

Mount Baker

A full day is in store and it is every bit worth the trip. In the spring and summer the mountain sprouts some of the most delicate and colorful wildflowers. Many times there is still a hint of snow on the very crest of the peak, even in July. There are hiking trails, picnic areas, and beautiful vistas.

Winter drivers should be prepared. In 2001 the very top of Mt Baker held the world's record for snowfall with something like 213 feet in one season.

North Cascade Highway (Cascade Loop)

The North Cascade mountains are a staggering sight. With majestic evergreens, waterfalls, snow "up the kazoo" and nature at it splendor, this segment of the loop is a wondrous trip during any season. From Camano Island the section of the loop that is closest is Stevens Pass segment. You will see incredible scenery, quaint towns a National Park, and cross over a 4100 foot mountain pass. There are many places to stop and enjoy a picnic or boxed lunch. The entire trip is under 3 hours and if you are adventurous and have several days you can drive the entire 400 mile loop!

A Quick Hop to Vancouver, B.C. or Seattle

Many visitors are surprised to see that Vancouver, BC and Seattle are just 60 miles away. A stay at Camano Blossom B&B puts you in just the right place to travel to either of these jeweled cities.

Our Fabulous Camano Island State Park

Camano Island State Park is a very popular destination on the island. With over 134-acres the park offers year-round saltwater fishing for salmon and bottom fish, excellent seasonal clamming, and eighty-eight wooded campsites. A three-mile, self-guided nature trail and a series of loop trails for hiking and beachcombing also complement the park. Additional features include an underwater park for scuba diving, a kitchen, excellent sandy bottomed boat launching, and picnic shelters.

The Camano Island area also has the following facilities:
Cama Beach State Park: Staffed and maintained by volunteers from Seattle's Center for Wooden Boats, this five year restoration project is quite unique. The cabins of Cama Beach are a time capsule of 1930's waterfront recreation. Complete with circa 1900's cabins and camping areas this historic fishing resort will also have an environmental learning center and classes on making wooden boats.
Cavalero Beach County Park is very low-key. This park is a favorite for quiet picnics, fishing, small boat launching.

For those who love to fish, Puget Sound is the home for several salmon species including silver (Coho) King (resident fish are called Blackmouth) and several bottom fish species such as cod and halibut. Camano offers some great hot-spots for salmon although according to Melissa, "He sure spends a lot of time out there but can't guarantee a catch--just a great time." Fishing Gedney Island (Hat) or Possession Point is always fun and productive although not all are keepers. The Skagit and Stillaguamish Rivers feature Chinook, Pink and Coho salmon, Steelhead, Dolly Varden, Whitefish and Cutthroat trout.

In between your water trips special arrangements can be made so that you can park your trailer able boat on our grounds while you enjoy the creature comforts of home.