Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve

Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve is a protected area in Island County, Washington, that combines state parks, farmland, and coastal landscapes along the Salish Sea. The reserve has hiking trails, beaches, and several information centers where you can learn about the area's history and natural features.

The area was established in 1978 as the first National Historical Reserve in the United States, protecting the rural heritage of Puget Sound settlement. This reserve created a new model for preserving working landscapes and historical patterns across the nation.

The Central Whidbey Historic District shows homes and landscapes shaped by Lower Skagit People settlements and later European colonization. Walking through this rural area, you can see how different groups lived here and how their lives left marks on the land.

Visit outside the busy summer season when trails are less crowded and the weather stays mild. A car is helpful for getting between different parts of the reserve and the information centers.

The reserve operates through a partnership where about 85 percent of the land stays in private ownership while keeping public access to historical and natural areas open. This model shows how protecting cultural landscapes can work alongside local farming and private land ownership.

Location: Island County

Inception: 1978

Operator: National Park Service

Website: https://nps.gov/ebla

GPS coordinates: 48.21830,-122.68400

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40