Cranberry Lake Trail—A sweet little hike on Camano Island
Quick Facts:
Location: Camano Island
Land Agency: Washington State Parks
Roundtrip: 2.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 125 feet
Contact: Cama Beach State Park
Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs must be leashed
Recommended Guidebook: Urban Trails Everett (Mountaineers Books)
Access: From Exit 212 on I-5, travel west on SR 532 to Camano Island to a junction at 10.0 miles. Bear left onto NE Camano Drive and proceed for 2.5 miles. Turn right onto S Camano Hill Road continuing for 3.4 miles to a junction with SW Camano Drive. Turn left reaching Cama Beach State Park entrance in 2.8 miles. Turn right reaching trailhead in .3 mile.
Good to know: Kid-friendly, dog-friendly, snow free winter hike
One of Washington’s newer state parks, 433-acre Cama Beach has become one of the state’s more popular parks. And it’s easy to see why! This park is a unique gem preserving a charming restored 1930s beachside cabin resort. But there’s more—over a mile of Puget Sound shoreline and several miles of hiking trails including connections to nearby Camano Island State Park and Camano Island Conservation lands. Cranberry Lake, located within Cama Beach State Park is a nice quiet easy hike and perfect for kids and hiking newbies–and for burning calories after a Thanksgiving feast!
From the drop-off shelter at the south end of the park’s parking area; take the trail left heading away from the shore. Now, following an old resort access road travel under a canopy of mature firs and maples. In .3 mile reach a trail junction and road crossing. The trail right is part of the Cross Island Trail. It leads 1.0 mile to Camano Island State Park where several more miles of trails can be accessed. Continue straight carefully crossing the road and come to another junction. The trail left, a continuation of the Cross Island Trail heads 1.2 miles through quiet woodlands to Ivy Lane.
You’ll want to veer right on good trail through alders and snowberry bushes gently climbing a small ridge. At 1.1 miles reach little Cranberry Lake, a shallow wetland surrounded by bulrushes , spirea and huckleberry bushes. Nothing particularly exceptional—but a nice walk in the woods in a gorgeous park. Hang around for a little while and perhaps you’ll be graced with a deer or other wildlife sighting. And if you want to burn more calories, do explore the other trails in the park!
Cranberry Lake is one of the 45 family friendly and year-round hiking/running/walking destinations featured in my popular, Urban Trails Everett book. Pick up your copy today and explore your wild backyard!
