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Fort Ebey State Park
Phone: (360) 678-4636
Fax: (360) 678-2982
City: Coupleville
Address:
Fort Ebey State Park,
395 North Fort Ebey Road,
Coupleville, WALocated on Whidbey Island, two miles north of Coupeville, Wash., and eight miles south of Oak Harbor, Wash.
Panoramic views of the Puget Sound shoreline, the Olympic Mountains and sunsets. The park features para-gliding, surfing and gun batteries to explore. Eagles may be viewed at Lake Pondilla.
For more up to date information, visit the Fort Ebey page on the state parks web site.
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Park Overview
Fort Ebey State Park, a 645-acre camping park on Whidbey Island, was originally built as a coastal defense fort in World War II. Concrete platforms mark the gun locations. The park has three miles of saltwater shoreline on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, a freshwater lake for fishing, and miles of hiking and biking trails.
Marine Park: No
Popular Destination
Park Hours
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.
The park is open year round for camping and day use.
Camping:
Check-in time: 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time: 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Please note: The primitive hiker/ biker campsites have been moved from the Lake Pondilla Natural Area to a new area near the Gun Battery picnic area. There are four sites available with one central group campfire area. Each site has a tent space and picnic table. Restrooms are approximately 400 feet away at the nearest picnic area. These sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis for nonmotorized hiker/biker arrivals only.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.
The park is open year round for camping and day use.
Camping:
Check-in time: 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time: 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Please note: The primitive hiker/ biker campsites have been moved from the Lake Pondilla Natural Area to a new area near the Gun Battery picnic area. There are four sites available with one central group campfire area. Each site has a tent space and picnic table. Restrooms are approximately 400 feet away at the nearest picnic area. These sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis for nonmotorized hiker/biker arrivals only.
Significant History
Fort Ebey, constructed in 1942, was named after the pioneer commander of the 1855 militia stationed on an island in Ebey Slough. The park stands on the site of a World War II gun battery which had two six-inch guns in place during the war. The guns were later removed and scrapped.
Major Landmarks
The area around the park is known for its "kettles," large depressions left in the earth by receding glaciers some 15,000 years ago.
Interpretive Oportunities
Visitors may explore concrete bunkers built for the original military fort in 1942.
Directions provided by the state parks department are given below the map,
or you can try to have google create the directions from the coordinates we have on file.
Take exit #189 off of I-5, just south of Everett. Follow signs for the Mukilteo/ Clinton ferry. Take the ferry to Clinton on Whidbey Island. Follow Hwy. 525 north, which becomes Hwy. 20. Two miles north of Coupeville, turn left on Libbey Rd. and follow it 1.5 miles to Hill Valley Dr. Turn left and enter park.
From Mount Vernon:
Take Burlington exit #230 and follow signs toward Whidbey Island on Hwy. 20. Once on Whidbey Island, follow Hwy. 20 south, eight miles past Oak Harbor. Turn right on Libbey Rd. and follow it 1.5 miles to Hill Valley Dr. Turn left and enter park.
Port Townsend/Keystone Ferry route alert: This ferry route is currently using a smaller vessel that carries up to 50 cars. Tidal cancellations and sold out sailings can be expected. Reservations are encouraged for trucks and cars with trailers or RV’s weighing 6,000 lbs. to 80,000 lbs. at least 1 day prior to sailing. To make reservations call (206) 464-6400 or 1-888-808-7977. For updated information go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries
Directions
From Seattle:Take exit #189 off of I-5, just south of Everett. Follow signs for the Mukilteo/ Clinton ferry. Take the ferry to Clinton on Whidbey Island. Follow Hwy. 525 north, which becomes Hwy. 20. Two miles north of Coupeville, turn left on Libbey Rd. and follow it 1.5 miles to Hill Valley Dr. Turn left and enter park.
From Mount Vernon:
Take Burlington exit #230 and follow signs toward Whidbey Island on Hwy. 20. Once on Whidbey Island, follow Hwy. 20 south, eight miles past Oak Harbor. Turn right on Libbey Rd. and follow it 1.5 miles to Hill Valley Dr. Turn left and enter park.
Port Townsend/Keystone Ferry route alert: This ferry route is currently using a smaller vessel that carries up to 50 cars. Tidal cancellations and sold out sailings can be expected. Reservations are encouraged for trucks and cars with trailers or RV’s weighing 6,000 lbs. to 80,000 lbs. at least 1 day prior to sailing. To make reservations call (206) 464-6400 or 1-888-808-7977. For updated information go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life | Plantlife |
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Chipmunks
Coyotes
Deer/Elk
Otters
Rabbits
Raccoons
Squirrels
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Crows/Ravens
Ducks
Eagles
Gulls
Hawks
Herons
Humming Birds
Jays
Owls
Pheasant
Quail
Woodpeckers
Wrens
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Crabs
Sea Birds
Seals
Shellfish
Whales
Bass
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Cedar
Douglas Fir
Hemlocks
Spruce
Yew
Alders
Birch Trees
Poplars
Daisies
Lupines
Rhododendron
Rose
Berries
Ferns
Moss or Lichens
Seaweed
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| General | Trails | Freshwater Activities | Saltwater Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
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Swimming
Beachcombing
Bird Watching
Mountain Biking
Interpretive
Paragliding
1 Amphitheater
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25 mi. of Biking Trailer
28 mi. of Hiking Trails
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Fishing
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There are two large fields that will accommodate sports activities, but there are no nets or field-markings. There is a popular surfing area on the park's saltwater shoreline. Seaweed harvesting is allowed at this park from April 16 - May 15 with a seaweed and shellfish license. Lake Pondilla has limited fishing for smallmouth bass. The short walk to the lake is not vehicle-accessible.
Picnic NotesThe park has 25 unsheltered picnic tables. Picnic sites are located at the Gun Battery, the beach area and the Point Partridge area. All unsheltered picnic tables are first come, first served. There are two reservable log picnic shelters. The shelter areas have two covered picnic tables, two uncovered picnic tables and two large BBQ grills. One shelter is located near the beach area and has a medium size grass area. The second shelter is located at the Gun Battery picnic area and has a grass area. The Beach picnic shelter will accommodate up to 50 people. The Gun Battery picnic shelter will accommodate up to 150 people. For reservations, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
Group CampingThe park provides a group camp that accommodates up to 60 people. The camp is located on a bluff down the Point Partridge Rd. A vault toilet and running water are at the site. Flush toilets and showers are a five-minute walk down an easy trail. Minimum number of people is 20 with a maximum of 60. Maximum number of cars is 30. To reserve, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
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| Park Services | Area Services |
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Camping
Wood
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Auto Repair
Boating
Camping Area
Diesel
Fishing and Hunting Supplies
Gasolene
Gifts
Golfing
Groceries
Hardware
Hospital
Marine Supply
Overnight Accomodations
US Mail
Propane
Recreational Equipment
White Gas
Wood
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Firewood, ice, water and t-shirts are available for sale at the park office. Most other services are available nearby. | |
