Camano, WA

Camano Island gives you the peaceful feel of Puget Sound island living without the hassle of a ferry schedule. Tucked between Saratoga Passage and Port Susan, the island connects directly to the mainland via the Highway 532 bridges through neighboring Stanwood. About 17,000 people live here year-round across quiet coastal bluffs, wooded acreages, and rural farmsteads. Because there is no incorporated city government, the atmosphere stays unhurried and residential. That single highway connection is everyone's shared lifeline, so daily commutes, big-box shopping trips, and medical visits naturally flow through that Stanwood corridor.

Waterfront access is a big part of the island's appeal, and much of it exists thanks to local neighbors. Back in 1949, hundreds of volunteers gathered with their own tractors, trucks, and tools to clear the land for Camano Island State Park in a single day. Today, the park offers miles of forested walking trails, boat launches, campsites, and rocky beaches with expansive water views toward Whidbey Island. It is a go-to spot for crabbing, kayaking, walking the dog along the shoreline, or simply catching an evening sunset over the water.

Just up the shoreline, Cama Beach State Park reflects Camano's early days as a 1930s fishing resort, complete with historic cedar cabins and a vintage boathouse along the water. While the lower beach cabins are preserved for daytime sightseeing rather than overnight stays, the park remains a favorite spot for a relaxed afternoon. Visitors and residents regularly hike the shaded bluff trails, watch for bald eagles and passing whales in Saratoga Passage, and stop by the Cama Beach Cafe for a hearty breakfast.

Everyday conveniences and social activities center around a few key roadside hubs. Terry’s Corner sits near the north end with a grocery store, coffee shops, local eateries, and the Camano Island Library. Island Transit provides free bus service across the island and over the bridge to Stanwood, making it easy to catch regional connections toward Everett or Mount Vernon. Camano also has a thriving creative scene, best experienced during the annual studio tour when local painters, glassblowers, and sculptors open their workshops. Between community lunches at the Camano Center and small neighborhood gatherings, the island offers a grounded, welcoming environment for newcomers.