Cama Beach, which opened in 2008, is Washington’s newest state park. Cama Beach is a historic 1930s fishing resort situated on 433 acres of southwest-facing waterfront on Camano Island. The waters of Saratoga Passage splash upon the beach.

Park in any number of lots, each of which is named for a native tree or bush, then set out for hours of exploring.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the park boasts 36 waterfront cabins that can be rented.

Views include Whidbey Island and the Olympic Mountains.

Visitors can explore the expansive shoreline, view wildlife, attend a boating workshop, go to a sailing class, or rent a boat at the branch campus of Seattle’s Center for Wooden Boats.

There is a boat-load of history associated with Cama Beach.

In the beginning, it was a seasonal camp for American Indians. Then it was the site of logging camps until 1908.

It was open as a fishing resort from 1934 to 1989. Until the state park opened, the only access to the area after 1989 was via a trail from bordering Camano Island State Park.

Make sure to stop by the welcome station to pick up information on the park. The rangers are friendly and knowledgeable.

While inside, look up to meet Salty, the 600-pound California sea lion that washed ashore several years ago. The beast’s skeleton hangs from the rafters.

Find the trailhead for the Bluff Trail just to the north of the drop-off shelter.

Location: Cama Beach State Park

Distance: 1 mile

Destination: Loop trail

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: Minimal

Getting there: After crossing onto Camano Island, just west of Stanwood, continue two miles to Terry’s Corner, which is marked by its “Camano Gateway” sign and a small commercial area. Take the left fork of the highway, heading south on East Camano Drive. Continue on East Camano Drive — which becomes Elger Bay Road — for five miles. Turn right at the Elger Bay Grocery store and cross the island on Mountain View Drive. After a long hill, the main road turns right to become West Camano Drive. Continue another half-mile. Turn left into Cama Beach State Park.

The Trek: Proceed upon a trail of gravel that quickly becomes hard-packed dirt. Almost immediately, bend to the right and head up a small hill. Once atop the incline, proceed to the left at the “T” intersection.

Glances to the left give a taste of what is to come — fantastic views of Saratoga Passage and Whidbey Island, and if the day is clear, the snow-capped Olympic Mountains.

Pass a massive rootball of a toppled tree as the path leads atop the tree-covered bluff. Make your way under a cedar tree that has grown from underneath a fallen comrade at nearly a right angle before turning skyward.

The area is dotted with stumps. Their spring-board notches tell of the turn-of-the-century logging that took place.

A sign on the left warns of the dangers of venturing off the bluff side of the trail. Complete with a graphic photo, it says “Falling Can Be Deadly.” Make sure to heed the warning.

The trail is practically covered by fallen leaves. Where leaves aren’t present, pine needles cushion each step.

Through the trees, views of Saratoga Passage are impressive, particularly on this sun-drenched fall day.

Continue to twist and turn as the path gently rises and falls. Venture under a cedar “widow maker” before a hill is reached.

Head up the incline, bending left, then right, then back left as you go. Rounding that final bend, reach the first of two observation platforms.

The newly-built platforms allow visitors to take in the views from a safe perch. From this vantage point, waves can be heard crashing onto the beach far below.

Return to the trail and proceed right. A fire-scarred Douglas fir snag tells of a time when the area was scorched.

The second observation platform is soon reached. This one boasts a bench on which to sit and reflect as leaves fall to the ground and shorebirds squawk below.

The trail turns and ventures deeper into a forest of Douglas fir, Western hemlock, Western red cedar and grand fir trees as it slowly and slightly descends.

It’s a short distance before the trail ends just below the welcome station at the park’s entrance.

Cross the road and pick up the Old Entrance Trail. An old road bed, this is the route that for decades was driven by fishermen heading to the resort below. An old sign on a tree proclaims in red lettering “drive slowly.”

This path is lighted. Light fixtures attached to decorative posts illuminate the trail. The paths passed on the right lead to sheltered shuttle pickup locations.

Eventually, the route ends at a roadway just above the drop-off shelter. Proceed to the right and head back to the rig.