Clark Island State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Clark Island State Park is a beautiful destination located in the state of Washington and is widely known for its scenic beauty and rich history.
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Summary
The park is accessible only by boat, making it a perfect spot for those who enjoy solitude and tranquility.
One of the main reasons to visit Clark Island State Park is to experience the stunning scenery of the San Juan Islands. Visitors can explore the park's many hiking trails, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding islands and waterways.
Another popular attraction in the park is the Clark Island Lighthouse, which was built in 1892 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse is open for tours during the summer months and provides visitors with an inside look at the history of the area.
Visitors to Clark Island State Park can also enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including swimming, fishing, kayaking, and beachcombing. The park has several picnic areas, as well as a boat dock and moorage.
Interesting facts about Clark Island State Park include its history as a logging camp and its role in the smuggling of alcohol during Prohibition. The park is also home to several species of wildlife, including bald eagles, harbor seals, and sea otters.
The best time of year to visit Clark Island State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is mild and the park is bustling with activity. However, visitors should be aware that the park can be crowded during peak season, and reservations are recommended for camping and boating.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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