What Is It?
Walk into history at Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve in the far reaches of Northwest Washington. The reserve, on Whidbey Island near the Canadian border, features unique plants and habitats, tall bluffs that lower into the sea and centuries of historic structures.
First National Historical Reserve
Whidbey Island has been home to many over thousands of years, and, for a long time, was part of the territory of the Lower Skagit tribe. In the mid-1800s, settlers came to the area for the great soil and maritime benefits. In 1978, the area became the United States’ first National Historical Reserve to preserve the natural landmarks and farms that tell the story of rural life.
Spectacular Views
Ebey’s Landing has many miles of hiking and biking trails through forests and prairies and along coastline. The Bluff Loop trail and Ebey’s Prairie Ridge trail are popular. Ebey’s Landing is also home to a beach with miles of shoreline, and nearby Crockett Lake is a popular spot for birders during migration seasons.
Three State Parks
Inside the reserve are three state parks. Fort Casey State Park is home to a fort built in the late 1800s that was used during World War II and Admiralty Head Lighthouse. Fort Ebey State Park is home to another fort used during WWII and many popular trails. Ebey’s Landing State Park includes the Bluff Loop Trail and many other sweeping viewpoints.
More Information
Weather on the reserve is known to change quickly, and quick rainstorms can cause trails to become slick or even cause landslides. The reserve is not all public land—85% of the reserve’s area is privately owned. Please avoid private property. Entering the reserve is free, but entering any of the state parks requires a Discovery Pass—$10 for a day or $30 for an annual pass. To start planning your trip, visit nps.gov/ebla or call 360-678-6084.