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Orcas Island

2025-07-20T12:06:02Z

2600:8807:704:A900:459B:F12:B7AD:1D81:

{{Short description|Largest of the San Juan Islands, in Washington state, USA}}
{{Infobox islands
|name = Orcas Island
|image_name = View from ISS Expedition 72, Orcas Island, October 7, 2024 (ISS072-E-34209) (cropped).jpg
|image_caption = View from [[Expedition 72]], October 2024
|image_map = Orcas Island locator map.svg
| map = Strait of Juan de Fuca#Washington#USA
| map_caption = Location of Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands
|native_name =
|native_name_link =
|nickname = Gem of the San Juan Islands
|location = [[Pacific Northwest]]
|coordinates = {{coord|48|40|N|122|56|W|region:US-WA_type:isle_scale:250000|display=inline,title}}
|archipelago = [[San Juan Islands]]
|total_islands =
|major_islands =
|area_sqmi = 57.3
|length_km =
|width_km =
|highest_mount = [[Mount Constitution]]
|elevation_ft = 2409
|country = United States
|country_admin_divisions_title = State
|country_admin_divisions = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
|country_admin_divisions_title_1 = County
|country_admin_divisions_1 = [[San Juan County, Washington|San Juan]]
|country_admin_divisions_title_2 =
|country_admin_divisions_2 =
|country_largest_city = [[Eastsound, Washington|Eastsound]]
|country_largest_city_population =
|population = 5,387
|population_as_of = 2010
|density_km2 = 30.09
|ethnic_groups =
|additional_info =
}}
'''Orcas Island''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɔːr|k|ə|s}}) is the largest of the [[San Juan Islands]] of the [[Pacific Northwest]], in northwestern [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orcas Island {{!}} San Juan County, WA |url=https://www.sanjuanco.com/922/Orcas-Island |access-date=2023-06-29 |website=www.sanjuanco.com}}</ref>

==History and naming of the island==
[[File:Orcas Island aerial view EPA photo.jpg|left|thumb|Aerial view of Orcas Island with the [[Cascade Mountains]] in the background]]
The name "Orcas" is a shortened form of ''Horcasitas,'' from [[Juan Vicente de Güemes Padilla Horcasitas y Aguayo, 2nd Count of Revillagigedo]], the Viceroy of New Spain who sent an exploration expedition under [[Francisco de Eliza]] to the Pacific Northwest in 1791. During the voyage, Eliza explored part of the San Juan Islands. He did not apply the name Orcas specifically to Orcas Island, but rather to part of the archipelago. In 1847, [[Henry Kellett]] assigned the name to Orcas Island during his reorganization of the British Admiralty charts. Kellett's work eliminated the patriotically American names that [[Charles Wilkes]] had given to many features of the San Juans during the [[United States Exploring Expedition|Wilkes Expedition]] of 1838–1842. Wilkes had named Orcas Island "Hull Island" after Commodore [[Isaac Hull]]. Other features of Orcas Island Wilkes named include "Ironsides Inlet" for East Sound and "Guerrier Bay" for [[West Sound, Washington|West Sound]]. One of the names Wilkes gave remains: Mount Constitution. Wilkes' names follow a pattern: Hull was the commander of "Old Ironsides" (the {{USS|Constitution}}) and won fame after capturing the British warship [[HMS Guerriere (1806)|HMS ''Guerriere'']] in the [[War of 1812]].<ref>{{cite book |last= Phillips |first= James W. |title= Washington State Place Names |url= https://archive.org/details/washingtonstatep00phil |url-access= registration |year= 1971 |publisher= University of Washington Press |isbn= 0-295-95158-3}}</ref> The islands were first claimed by Spain, then by Britain, who agreed, in the [[Treaty of Ghent]] signed after the War of 1812, that everything below the 49th parallel was part of the US. The Oregon territory, which then included Washington state and this island, was used jointly by the US and Britain until 1848, but border disputes specifically concerning the [[San Juan Islands#History|San Juan Islands]], including the [[Pig War (1859)]], were not settled until 1871.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://home.nps.gov/sajh/learn/historyculture/the-pig-war.htm|title=The Pig War - San Juan Island|website=National Park Service|access-date=16 August 2017}}</ref>

==Geography==
With an area of {{convert|57.3|mi2|km2}} and a population of 6000<ref>{{Cite web |title=State of Washington County Subdivisions - 2020 Census - Data as of January 1, 2020 |url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerwebmain/Files/bas22/tigerweb_bas22_cousub_2020_tab20_wa.html |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=tigerweb.geo.census.gov}}</ref> ([[2020 United States census|2020 census]]), Orcas Island is slightly larger, and less populous, than neighboring [[San Juan Island]]. It is shaped like a pair of saddlebags, separated by [[fjord]]-like Eastsound, and two prominent bays, Westsound and Deer Harbor, on the southwest side. At the island's northern end is the village of [[Eastsound, Washington|Eastsound]], the largest population center on Orcas and the second largest in San Juan County.

Other, smaller hamlets on the island include [[Orcas Village, Washington|Orcas Landing]] (where the [[Washington State Ferries|inter-island/mainland ferry]] lands), [[West Sound, Washington|West Sound]] (with [[Eastsound, Washington|Eastsound]] addresses), [[Deer Harbor, Washington|Deer Harbor]], Rosario (with [[Eastsound, Washington|Eastsound]] addresses), [[Olga, Washington|Olga]] and [[Doe Bay, Washington|Doe Bay]].

==Island access==
[[File:Orcas Island Ferry Landing.jpg|thumb|Ferry landing at [[Orcas Village, Washington|Orcas]]]]
The state supports island access through the [[Washington State Ferries]] system. In addition, the island can be accessed through a variety of air, seaplane and sea charter services. Private watercraft can use public docks located near the villages around the island, and various public shoreline access points. During the summer season, there is an island shuttle van that runs from the ferry landing to Eastsound and other points.

==Arts and culture==

===Historic sites===
The island is home to two museums. The Orcas Island Historical Museum is located in downtown Eastsound and is the only object-based, interpretive heritage facility for the island, with a permanent collection containing approximately 6000 objects, paper documents and photographs. Crow Valley School Museum is a [[One-room school|one-room school house]] built in 1888, open by appointment only.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Crow Valley School Museum|url=http://orcasmuseums.org/crow-valley-school-museum.html|website=Orcas Island Historical Museums|language=en|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref>

[[Rosario (estate)|Rosario Resort]] was built beginning in 1906 by Robert Moran, a former mayor of Seattle and a shipbuilder. Constructed in an [[Arts & Crafts]] style, the 5-story resort was named after the Rosario Strait and contains a two-story German-style organ, operational since 1913, consisting of over 1,900 pipes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Eals |first1=Clay |title=Rosario Resort, the Orcas showpiece of a former Seattle mayor, is for sale |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/rosario-resort-the-orcas-showpiece-of-a-former-seattle-mayor-is-for-sale/ |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=The Seattle Times |date=March 23, 2023}}</ref> Also known as the Rosario Resort and Spa, it opened as such in 1960<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sundell |first1=Allison |title=Rosario Resort to temporarily close during renovations, ownership transition |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/rosario-resort-orcas-island-ownership-change-renovations/281-5b3e496a-c37f-49e9-a575-4d4557444efd |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=KING5 News (Seattle) |date=February 13, 2024}}</ref> and the hotel was also designed with a nautical style, containing stained glass windows, a Tiffany chandelier, and two libraries. The {{convert|82|acre|ha|adj=mid}} grounds were designed with paths and water features. Moran sold the resort in 1938 and several owners have overseen operations since.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Phair |first1=Vonnai |title=Rosario Resort on Orcas Island to be sold; temporary closure ahead |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/rosario-resort-on-orcas-island-to-be-sold-temporary-closure-ahead/ |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=The Seattle Times |date=February 13, 2024}}</ref>

Orcas Island is also home to [[YMCA Camp Orkila]].

===Media===
The ''[[Islands' Sounder]]'', originally named the ''Orcas Sounder'', is a [[weekly newspaper]] published in [[Eastsound, Washington|Eastsound]] since 1964.

==Public services==
The Orcas Island School District operates three schools on a single campus: Orcas Island Elementary School housed in the island's historic Nellie S. Milton school building; Orcas Island Middle School; and Orcas Island High School.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.orcasislandschools.org/our_district/about_us | title=About Us - Orcas Island School District | access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref> All of the island's public schools are located in Eastsound.

The Orcas Island Public Library is located in Eastsound and serves a population of approximately 6,000 card holders.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.orcaslibrary.org/ | title=Orcas Island Library | access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Orcas voters overwhelmingly approve library levy |first=Colleen |last=Armstrong |date=8 November 2016 |newspaper=The Islands' Sounder |url=http://www.islandssounder.com/news/orcas-voters-overwhelmingly-approve-library-levy/ |access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref> The Orcas Island Library District is a junior-taxing district that funds the Orcas Island Public Library's operating budget through property taxes. The annual Library Fair sells books donated by Orcas Island residents and visitors, the proceeds of which are donated back to the Library's operating budget.<ref>{{cite news | title=A world of possibilities {{pipe}} Orcas Library Fair on the way |first=Colleen |last=Armstrong |date=8 August 2017 |newspaper=The Islands' Sounder |url=http://www.islandssounder.com/news/orcas-voters-overwhelmingly-approve-library-levy/ |access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref>

In 2018 Orcas Island Voters approved the creation of San Juan County Public Hospital District #3 (OIHCD) and later elected five Commissioners to the board. OIHCD funds local health care services ensuring care services to locals.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mandi Johnson|date=2018-05-10|title=Orcas public hospital district holds first meeting|url=https://www.islandssounder.com/news/orcas-public-hospital-district-holds-first-meeting/|access-date=2020-08-03|website=Islands' Sounder|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Parks ==
===Village Green===
[[Image:MountConstitutionView.jpg|thumb|right|View eastward from Mount Constitution over the [[Rosario Strait]] with [[Mount Baker]] visible]]
The Village Green is located in the center of Eastsound village.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

===Buck Park===
Buck Park is just north of the school on Mt. Baker Road.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

===Moran State Park===
[[Mount Constitution]] (elevation {{convert|2409|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} is the highest point in the San Juan islands. The mountain is part of [[Moran State Park]], the largest public recreation area in the San Juan Islands, and the largest State Park in Washington. Moran State Park encompasses over {{convert|5,000|acre|ha|abbr=off}} of woodland and has several lakes, including Cascade Lake, Mountain Lake, Summit Lake, and Twin Lakes, and numerous waterfalls.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=764|title=Mount Constitution - Peakbagger.com|website=www.peakbagger.com|access-date=2017-08-17}}</ref>

===Obstruction Pass State Park===
[[Obstruction Pass State Park]] is an 76-acre park with access to more than a mile of public saltwater shoreline on the south end of Orcas Island, south of Moran State Park.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://parks.state.wa.us/553/Obstruction-Pass |title=Obstruction Pass State Park | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |website=parks.state.wa.us |access-date=2019-11-10}}</ref>

===Madrona Point===
Madrona Point is a traditional burial ground which was controversially sold by the Cemetery Association in 1890.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Mandi Johnson|date=2018-02-28|title=A Lummi vision for Madrona Point|url=https://www.islandssounder.com/life/a-lummi-vision-for-madrona-point/|access-date=2020-08-04|website=Islands' Sounder|language=en-US}}</ref> In 1989, the site was purchased out of private ownership for $2.2 million provided by the [[United States Department of the Interior|Department of the Interior]]. The site was returned to the [[Lummi Nation|Lummi]] Nation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ART & COMMUNITY|url=http://www.petercfisher.com/art--community.html|access-date=2020-08-04|website=Peter C Fisher Gallery|language=en-US}}</ref> The tribe agreed to manage the property as an open space open to individuals and groups under a memorandum of understanding with San Juan County. The Lummi Nation closed the site in 2007 citing disrespect to the land.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Colleen|date=2010-02-18|title=Madrona Point: 20 years of Lummi ownership; Orcas community still denied access|url=https://www.islandssounder.com/news/madrona-point-20-years-of-lummi-ownership-orcas-community-still-denied-access/|access-date=2020-08-03|website=Islands' Sounder|language=en-US}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
Two films use Orcas Island as a backdrop. The 2011 Film ''[[Your Sister's Sister]]'' starring [[Emily Blunt]] was partially filmed on Orcas Island. While the 2022 Netflix Original film ''[[Lou (2022 film)|Lou]]'' is set on Orcas Island, it was not filmed on the island. In ''[[The Terminal List]]'', [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] Lorraine Hartley's palatial [[Estate (land)|family estate]] is located on Orcas Island.<ref>{{Cite web |title='The Terminal List' Episode 8 (Season 1 Finale) Recap: "Reclamation" |url=https://decider.com/2022/07/23/the-terminal-list-season-1-finale-recap/ |access-date=2024-09-10 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The 2017 video game ''[[What Remains of Edith Finch]]'' takes place on the island.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://moranstatepark.com Moran State Park on Orcas Island]
* [http://deerharbor.org/ Deer Harbor]
* [http://www.orcasislandchamber.com Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce (Orcas Island)]
* [http://www.washingtonruralheritage.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/orcas Orcas Island Heritage]
* [http://orcasmuseum.org/ Orcas Island Historical Museum]
* [http://orcasisland.org Orcas Island]
* [http://orcastoday.com Orcas Today]
* [http://www.orcasfilmfest.com/ Orcas Island Film Festival]

{{San Juan County, Washington}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:San Juan Islands]]

Lopez Island

2025-07-20T11:35:16Z

2600:8807:704:A900:459B:F12:B7AD:1D81:

{{short description|Island of the San Juan Islands in Washington state, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}

{{Infobox islands
|name = Lopez
|image_name = Lopez_Island_locator_map.svg
|image_caption = Location of Lopez Island in the San Juans
|image_size =
|locator_map =
|map_caption =
|native_name =
|native_name_link =
|nickname =
|location = [[Pacific Northwest]]
|coordinates = {{coord|48|28|44|N|122|53|31|W|type:isle_region:US-WA_scale:250000|display=inline,title}}
|archipelago = [[San Juan Islands]]
|total_islands =
|major_islands =
|area_sqmi = 29.81
|length_km =
|width_km =
|highest_mount =
|elevation_ft =
|country = United States
|country_admin_divisions_title = State
|country_admin_divisions = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
|country_admin_divisions_title_1 = County
|country_admin_divisions_1 = [[San Juan County, Washington|San Juan]]
|country_admin_divisions_title_2 =
|country_admin_divisions_2 =
|country_largest_city =
|country_largest_city_population =
|population = 3,156
|population_as_of = 2020
|density_km2 =
|ethnic_groups =
|additional_info =
}}

'''Lopez Island''' is the third largest of the [[San Juan Islands]] and an [[unincorporated area|unincorporated town]] in [[San Juan County, Washington]], [[United States]]. Lopez Island is {{convert|29.81|sqmi|km2}} in land area. The [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] population was 3,156,<ref>{{Cite web |title=State of Washington County Subdivisions - 2020 Census - Data as of January 1, 2020 |url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerwebmain/Files/bas22/tigerweb_bas22_cousub_2020_tab20_wa.html |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=tigerweb.geo.census.gov}}</ref> though the population swells in the summer, as second homes, rental houses, and campsites fill up.

==History==
[[File:Iceberg Point Lopez Island Washington USA.jpeg|left|thumb| Iceberg Point at the southern tip
of Lopez Island overlooking the [[Strait of Juan de Fuca]]]]

The ancestors of today's Northern Straits Coast Salish people began to appear in the wake of the continental ice sheet that started to recede 11,000 years ago. Archaeological evidence suggests that the island supported hunting and gathering between 6,000 and 8,000 years ago. The marine culture encountered by the first Europeans to the area developed about 2,500 years ago, and traces of its once thriving villages remain in the shell middens found along the shoreline of American and English camps and throughout the San Juan islands.<ref>{{cite web |title=The First Ones |url=https://www.nps.gov/sajh/learn/historyculture/the-first-ones.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312211729/http://www.nps.gov/sajh/learn/historyculture/the-first-ones.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 12, 2015 |website=San Juan Island National Historical Park |publisher=[[National Park Service]] |access-date=April 25, 2022}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

During the [[Wilkes Expedition]], Lopez Island was given the name ''Chauncey Island'', after the American naval commander [[Isaac Chauncey]]. When the British reorganized the official admiralty naval charts in 1847, [[Henry Kellett]] systematically removed many of Wilkes's names. He renamed the island Lopez, for [[Gonzalo López de Haro]], the Spanish naval officer who was the first European to sail to the San Juan Islands archipelago.<ref>{{cite book |last= Phillips |first= James W. |title= Washington State Place Names |url= https://archive.org/details/washingtonstatep00phil |url-access= registration |year= 1971 |publisher= University of Washington Press |isbn= 0-295-95158-3 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/washingtonstatep00phil/page/81 81–82]}}</ref>

The Lopez Island Historical Museum collects and preserves the regional history of Lopez and the San Juan Islands. The museum features artifacts reflecting Lopez's contributions to the maritime, fishing and farming industries. The museum has an extensive archive of local historical documents as well as artifacts depicting life on Lopez Island in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lopez Island Historical Society & Museum |url=https://lopezmuseum.org/ |website=Lopez Island Historical Society & Museum |access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref>

== Demographics ==

=== 2010 Census ===
As of the 2010 census, there were 2,383 people, 1,204 households, and 719 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 93.6% White, 0.3% African American, 0.9% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 1.2% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.6% of the population.

There were 1,204 households, of which 14% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.3% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.97 and the average family size was 2.45.

The median age in the city was 56.9 years. 12.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6%, 28.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|title=U.S. Census website|publisher=United States Census Bureau|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|language=en|access-date=2019-09-19}}</ref>

==Geography==

Lopez Island is flatter than most of the other major San Juan Islands. It is also the most rural of the larger islands, and has rolling terrain of forest, farmland, and beaches. The island is longest in the north–south direction.

===Climate===
This region experiences warm and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Lopez Island has a [[Mediterranean climate#Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|warm-summer Mediterranean climate]], abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=10754&cityname=Lopez+Island%2C+Washington%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Lopez Island]</ref>

==Transportation==
There are no highways on Lopez Island, and no bridges connecting to the mainland or other islands. The primary means of travel to and from Lopez Island is by ferry. The ferry terminal is located at the extreme north end of the island.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/vesselwatch/TerminalDetail.aspx?terminalid=13|title = WSDOT - Ferries - Lopez Island Ferry Terminal}}</ref> It is the first stop of four on the [[Washington State Ferries]]’ San Juan Islands run. A typical sailing from [[Anacortes, Washington|Anacortes]] takes approximately 40 minutes.

[[Lopez Island Airport]] is the main airstrip for the island, located on its west side, offering daily commercial flights. Charter [[seaplane|floatplane]]s land in [[Fisherman Bay (Washington)|Fisherman Bay]] at [[Fishermans Bay/LPS Seaplane Base|Fisherman Bay Seaplane Base]], located approximately three-fourths mile north of the airport. A small private airstrip called Windsock Airport is located less than one and a half miles from the ferry terminal.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Lopez Island Ferry Holding to Windsock Farms & Excavation|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Lopez+Island+Ferry+Holding,+Ferry+Rd,+Lopez+Island,+WA+98261/Windsock+Airport-4WA4,+Daisy+Lane,+Lopez+Island,+WA/@48.5544836,-122.8976601,14.19z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x5485813d5a5e2a69:0x78314ca17280ec53!2m2!1d-122.8841245!2d48.5691867!1m5!1m1!1s0x548580fe58222311:0x7e91f944464775f!2m2!1d-122.889148!2d48.54886!3e0|access-date=2020-07-28|website=Google Maps|language=en}}</ref>

==Economy and tourism==
Lopez is home to a large number of tourist-related businesses, largely country-style bed and breakfasts and rental houses, many with ocean views. There is a vineyard, one hotel and resort, two public marinas, several restaurants and cafes, a Zagat-rated gourmet restaurant,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hall |first=Christopher |date=2018-09-15 |title=Off the Washington Coast, a Restaurant That Follows the North Star of Localism |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/15/travel/ursa-minor-lopez-island-washington-restaurant-review.html |access-date=2023-02-02 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> a small bookstore, and two coffee shops. The summer months' Saturday Market in Lopez Village is filled with arts and crafts, local farm produce, and community activities.

Lopez Island is a popular destination for [[Bicycle touring|bicycle tourists]]. Bicyclists are advised to avoid Center Road, which is not as wide as other island roads. But overall, the drivers are bicycle-friendly and the roads are easier to ride than those on the other San Juan Islands with lower speed limits.

The island is known for the longstanding custom of waving at every motorist, bicyclist, or pedestrian encountered on the island's roads.<ref name=pitcher>{{cite book|last=Pitcher|first=Don|title=San Juan Islands|publisher=Avalon Travel Publishing|chapter=Lopez Island|location=Emeryville, CA|date=June 2005|edition=2|series=Moon Handbooks|isbn=1-56691-872-3|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/moonhandbookssan00donp_0}}</ref><ref>"The laid-back pleasures of Lopez Island," Seattle Times (3 August 2012) http://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/the-laid-back-pleasures-of-lopez-island/</ref>
In 1996 [[Paul Allen]] bought a large Sperry Peninsula site on Lopez Island.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2022516299_allanislandsalexml.html|title = The Seattle Times | Local news, sports, business, politics, entertainment, travel, restaurants and opinion for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest}}</ref> The purchase displaced Camp Nor'wester, a summer camp for local children that had been running for 50 years.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Rich|first1=Laura|title=The Accidental Zillionaire: Demystifying Paul Allen|date=2002|publisher=Wiley|isbn=0471234915|page=170|edition=1st|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uU-sX8Inw3wC&q=displace&pg=PA170|accessdate=20 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/16/us/in-playground-of-rich-clock-is-ticking-for-a-camp-that-withstood-time.html|title=In Playground of Rich, Clock Is Ticking for a Camp That Withstood Time|last=Egan|first=Timothy|date=1996-08-16|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-05-21|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

== Parks ==
[[File:Shark Reef Park Lopez.jpg|thumb|right|Shark Reef Park]]
Lopez Island is home to several parks that vary in purpose and geography. Agate Beach County Park, Odlin County Park, and Otis Perkins Day Parks are beach recreation areas and offer picnic amenities. Agate is located on the south end of the island. Odlin, one of the most popular beaches on the island, resides just south of Ferry Landing and offers sites for camping and has a boat launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sanjuanco.com/Parks/Lopez.aspx |title=Lopez Island Day Parks - Odlin County Park |publisher=[[San Juan County, Washington|San Juan County]] |accessdate=2009-01-24}}</ref> The beach at the Otis Perkins day use area is considered as one of the longest beaches in the San Juan Islands.

Two parks offer short hikes. Shark Reef Park offers long views west over San Juan Channel and it includes a half-mile trail through some old-growth trees.<ref name=pitcher/> Upright Channel Park, a state-operated facility, offers several picnic sites and a hike down to a sandy beach.

The largest park on the island is [[Spencer Spit State Park]]. The focus of the park, located on the northeast side of the island, is a long, low [[Spit (landform)|sandspit]] that almost connects to small Frost Island just offshore. This 130 acre (53 ha) park has a camping area, picnic sites, and mooring buoys for boats.

== Media ==
*[[KLOI-LP]] - local low-power FM radio station based on Lopez Island.

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{wikivoyage|Lopez Island}}
*[http://www.lopezisland.com/ Lopez Island Chamber of Commerce, including webcam.]
*[http://www.lopezmuseum.org/ Lopez Island Historical Museum]
*[http://www.washingtonruralheritage.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/lopez Lopez Island Heritage]
*[http://www.guidetosanjuans.com/ San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau]

{{San Juan County, Washington}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:San Juan Islands]]
[[Category:Populated places in San Juan County, Washington]]
[[Category:Unincorporated communities in Washington (state)]]