Northwestern Washington & the San Juan Islands - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 211

At the reserve's southern end is Fort Casey State Park , with facilities for camping
and picnicking. Fort Casey was part of the early 1900s military defense system that once
guarded the entrance to Puget Sound. Visitors can investigate the old cement batteries
and underground tunnels that line the coast. Other recreational activities here include
scuba diving, boating and bird-watching - best along Keystone Spit on the southwestern
tip of Crockett Lake. Admiralty Head Lighthouse , built in 1861, houses the park's inter-
pretive center. From here, it's a 4-mile walk north along the beach to Fort Ebey State
Park , a wonderfully secluded spot with eroded cliffs and old WWII-era coast defenses,
where further trails meander off into the surrounding woodland.
The Island County Historical Society Museum in Coupeville distributes a brochure on
suggested driving and cycling tours through the reserve. Highly recommended is the
3.6-mile Bluff Trail that starts from a small parking area at the end of Ebey Rd. The ener-
getic can walk or cycle here from Coupeville (approximately 2.5 miles along a quiet
road), thus crossing the island at one of its narrowest points.
Fort Casey State Park offers 38 campsites (tent sites $12-26, serviced sites $30-37)
overlooking Keystone Harbor, and Fort Ebey has 53 sites ($21) plus four with RV hook-
ups ($28). Facilities include flush toilets and running water.
An unusual lodging option is Fort Casey Inn ( 360-678-8792; www.fortcaseyinn.com ;
1124 S Engle Rd; r $85-190) . The inn consists of a series of five c 1909 houses that served as
WWI officers' quarters and are now rented as overnight accommodations (the rooms
sleep up to four guests). Perched on a bluff overlooking the lighthouse at Fort Casey, the
houses have restful porches with oak armchairs.
Langley
POP 1041
Langley is a tiny seafront community that has changed little since the late 19th century
and is arguably even cuter than Coupeville. Encased in an attractive historic center are
small cafes, antique furniture shops, funky clothing boutiques and a couple of decent
B&Bs. While there's little to do here activity-wise, Langley provides a perfect seaside
escape from the modern world.
Langley is 8 miles north of Clinton and the ferry service from Mukilteo, making this
the closest of the Whidbey Island communities to the urban areas of northern Seattle.
Sleeping & Eating
Stroll along Langley's 1st St for several more very good dining options.