Admiralty Inlet Natural Area Preserve

Admiralty Inlet Natural Area Preserve is a protected nature reserve on Whidbey Island featuring mature forests, native grasslands, and walking trails with views toward the Salish Sea. The landscape contains several ecosystems characteristic of the coastal Pacific Northwest, all spread across roughly 86 acres.

This preserve came into existence through acquisitions from Seattle Pacific University in 2005 and 2013, establishing permanent protection for the land. These purchases allowed conservationists to safeguard one of the remaining prairie landscapes in the region.

The Department of Natural Resources and Whidbey Camano Land Trust collaborate to maintain this preserve within Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve.

You can reach the preserve through a gravel parking area off South Engle Road near Coupeville with no entrance fee. The trails are designed for straightforward walking and suit visitors of different abilities exploring the natural landscape.

The preserve contains two rare grassland ecosystems supporting the golden paintbrush plant, an unusual wildflower that was delisted from protection recently. These specific areas represent a habitat type that has become scarce across much of the island.

Location: Island County

Operator: Whidbey Camano Land Trust

Website: https://wclt.org/projects/admiralty-inlet-natural-area-preserve

GPS coordinates: 48.17538,-122.68540

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:09