Moran State Park, located in Orcas Island, Washington is a scenic park covering over 5,200 acres that includes five freshwater lakes, an observation tower, and over 30 miles of gorgeous hiking trails. Moran State Park is an overnight camping park with 151 tent spaces available. There is one dump station, five restrooms, and ten showers. For people with disabilities there are ADA restrooms and showers available. The campsites are spread out among five different camping areas within the park.
For people looking for private camping spots the North end camp area is the best. It is located close to the entrance to the park, and located directly across from the day use beach and swimming area. Midway camp is located near the Cascade lake boat launch site and offers 12 sites right on the lake shore. The South end camp is the most popular camp spot because the majority of tent sites are right on the shore.
Mountain Lake camp site is located just one mile up Mt. Constitution Rd on Mountain Lake, which is the largest lake in the park. There are 15 primitive camp sites available at this location and can be accessed by foot only.
One of the special features of Moran State Park is the observatory tower that provides spectacular views of the surrounding Canadian and American landscapes. From this location the viewer can get a bird's eye view of the various waterfalls, lakes, old growth forests, and hiking trails. Located near the kitchen shelter area in the day use portion of the park is an interpretive trail for hikers to use. Staffers at the park are currently installing interpretive displays in the Mount Constitution observation tower to explain the history of the park.
Moran State park opened in 1921 after former Seattle Mayor Robert Moran donated over 2,700 acres to the state of Washington. The vast majority of trails, roads, bridges and structures were built in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps. For visitors wanting to learn in-depth information about the park and the surrounding areas there is a Camp Moran Environmental Learning Center that has an educational program. The educational learning center is home to the Moran Outdoor School, in which hundreds of students participate each year.
Besides camping there are a variety of activities that guest can partake in at the park. 33 miles of hiking trails can be traversed as well as 11 miles of biking trails, and 6 miles of horse trails. There are two separate boat launches for boating enthusiasts. A $7 daily watercraft permit must be purchased. The park has two separate kitchen shelters with electricity and two without as well as six sheltered and fifty-five unsheltered picnic tables. The log kitchen shelter at the Cascade Lake swim area can be reserved. It offers a stone fireplace, wood grill, sink, lights and outlets. It can accommodate up to 100 people at a time.
The park also features a wide variety of wildlife mammals, birds and sea life. Many bird watchers come and visit the park as it is known to be a birders paradise. At 2,409 feet, Mount Constitution is the highest point in the San Juan Islands with the summit being reachable by vehicle.
Review, comment, or add new information about this topic: