Weekend Gem- Bikepacking Lopez Island

Safe to say, it was a great camp spot! Spencer Spit at dusk

Do you need a little break from city life and/or looking for a friendlier, kinder face in today’s complex world. I do believe that Lopez in the San Juans could be the remedy for your dilemma, like a bit of sun on a cloudy day. There is a lot of different ways to tour Lopez, you can take your bike or car over from the ferry at Anacortes and make a long weekend of touring the Island’s different hot spots. Now is a great time to check it out as this is the shoulder season and drastically cuts down on the visitors in this relaxing getaway. Not only that, the two State Parks on the Island (Spencer Spit and Odlin) only take camping reservations the day of your trip.

A rainbow concludes a lovely day at the Spit

I suggest ditching your car at the ferry and take your bike over instead, because the island is known for its relative flatness and bike friendly culture. Plus, the Spencer and Odlin both have exclusive “hiker and biker” spots that are situated in much more desirable locations scenery wise. We stayed at spot 43, at the base of Spencer’s Spit, a most amazing location. During the day, we went to the southern part of the Island following mostly rural roads that were a joy to ride on. Between the rolling farmlands and animals to the local artistic flair the locals express through their homes, there is never a shortage of interesting scerery to observe as you peddle by. Port Stanley School, founded in 1916 is a reminder of Lopez history with it’s interesting class pictures and history plaques to bring you up to speed.

Port Stanley Schoolhouse

There is no shortage of interesting day use parks on the Island that all have different views, attractions and flair. Check out Shark Reef, with it’s off shore rocks that are a popular seal hangout and offer a view west to endless ocean and north to Vancouver Island. Or, Iceberg Point with its rolling golden hills above the Strait of Juan De Fuca, views of the Olympic Mountains on one side and the North Cascades on the other. If the weather is clear, stop at Aleck Bay for the view south down the Sound to Mt. Rainier. Or, you can skip all that and grab a beer and a burger in friendly Lopez Village and stop in for a lively conversation at one of the cool shops like Village Cycles, Blossom Grocery and more.

Shark Reef

On the southern tip of Lopez Island

Hours of roaming await at Iceberg Point