Keystone Harbor is a bay in Island County, Washington. It's a beautiful area filled with lush greenery and beautiful shorelines of Puget Sound. It is part of the Fort Casey State Park and is a great place to visit for the whole family. One of the key features of Keystone Harbor is Keystone Split. Keystone Split is around two miles long and separates Crocket Lake and Admiralty Inlet.
There are plenty of activities for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Whether you're looking for something physical such as hiking or fishing, or you're wanting something more laid-back such as picnicking or relaxing in the water, Keystone Harbor offers it all. The Pacific Northwest is renowned for its beautiful forests, breathtaking mountains, and plenty of outdoor space to enjoy. This area has unique historical sites to visit in addition to the natural sites.
Keystone Harbor is located three miles south of Coupeville on Whidbey Island. Getting there can be quite complicated. The easiest route to take is State Route 20. This branches off near Mount Vernon and takes you west through Fidalgo Island and south through Oak Harbor. There are also several ferries you can take to get to Keystone Harbor, the easiest launching from Port Townsend.
If you're driving an RV, you may want to take State Route 20 or check with the local ferry's to see if RVs are allowed on the boat. It is usually allowed, but you may need to make a reservation. Once you're near Keystone Harbor, roads are generally paved, well-kept, and easy to access.
If you're looking for camping near Keystone Harbor, check out Fort Casey State Park. You'll be able to easily find them, as the campsites are near the Keystone Ferry Terminal. There you will find 35 campsites that can be used for tents, RVs, and trailers. It may be important to mention that there are no pull-through sites. 14 of the 35 sites have partial hookups, including water and electric.
There are fire rings, picnic tables, and the grate at each campsite. Fort Casey State Park offers camping at a first-come, first-serve basis. This state park has activities such as birdwatching, kayaking, stargazing, swimming, and even the ability to visit a lighthouse. There are modern amenities available such as hot showers, bathrooms with flush toilets, and even a gift shop.
There is a maximum of eight people per campsite, as well as one vehicle per campsite. You can pay an extra fee if you require a second vehicle. Fort Casey State Park does want visitors to know that there is the possibility of Army aircraft to fly over the state park for several hours a day. This may be bothersome to some campers, but a welcomed delight to others. Lastly, you can stay there for a maximum of 10 consecutive days during the summer months.
A great way to cool off near Keystone Harbor is by taking advantage of all of the water sports. There is no shortage of places to go swimming, though it may be important to remember that most of them do not have lifeguards on duty. There are also areas to go diving as well as fishing.
Go ahead and bring your own kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. Since there are usually no lifeguards on duty, please keep kids supervised at all times, and lifejackets are highly recommended.
The park area surrounding Keystone Harbor has 68 unsheltered picnic tables available to the public. These picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Depending on when you're visiting, the picnic area may be closed. It is not available for use from November until April. If you do get a chance to use it, you'll be able to relax and enjoy a meal surrounded by beautiful scenery, including the endless forests and a view of Puget Sound.
There are two saltwater watercraft launches available to the public. Getting out on the water and boating is a great way to enjoy the warm summer months nestled away from the busy city.
There is a pay station next to the water launch area where you can pay the daily watercraft launch fee. You may also need an annual permit, but these can be purchased in Olympia, online, or even at the park.
If you're visiting the area during autumn, we highly suggest hiking. There are nearly two miles of hiking trails near the park. It's here where you'll be able to view the changing colors of the fall foliage and enjoy a brisk walk through nature. The trail is gravel, but well-maintained. It is great for those looking for a casual stroll or a vigorous hike. Make sure you pack proper hiking boots when you're packing the RV.
A unique thing you can do at Keystone Harbor is to visit various historical sites. A favorite of many, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, you'll be able to take a tour of the historic gun batteries at Fort Casey State Park. This tour is just under an hour long and is a great learning experience for the whole family. For history buffs, this is a must-see. And for anyone, it's guaranteed to be an educational experience.
Another great way to enjoy the outdoors is by taking in all of the wildlife surrounding you. There are a variety of different animals you may be able to see, depending on the time of year you visit. You may see larger animals such as deer, elk, coyotes, or foxes. There are also a variety of different birds, such as eagles, geese, hocks, owls, hummingbirds, and woodpeckers.
You can check out the tide pools where are you may be able to see things such as starfish, crabs, sea cucumbers, and more. There are also a variety of different plants you can identify as well. There are tall spruce trees, beautiful daisies, rose bushes, ferns, seaweed, and more. If only you could take the smell of a Douglas fir tree home with you. For you to have the best experience possible, make sure to bring your binoculars with you.
