Moran State Park

Moran State Park is a sprawling woodland area on Orcas Island with five freshwater lakes, hiking trails that crisscross the landscape, and Mount Constitution rising at the center. The mountain features a stone tower built for viewing the surrounding region and islands.

A Seattle shipbuilder named Robert Moran gave the land in 1921 to create the park. Workers from a federal conservation program built most of the roads, lodging, and hiking trails during the 1930s.

The observation tower design follows the architectural patterns of Russian watchtowers from the Caucasus Mountains, reflecting early 20th-century National Park Service construction methods.

The park offers roughly 120 camping spots and several swimming areas by the lakes. You will also find picnic spaces, boat launch points, and shower facilities scattered throughout the grounds.

The observation tower on the mountain was designed to echo Russian watchtower styles from the Caucasus, making it an uncommon example of this architecture in North America. This building method was favored by park designers in the early 1900s.

Location: San Juan County

Architectural style: National Park Service rustic

Operator: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

Website: https://parks.state.wa.us/547/Moran

GPS coordinates: 48.66280,-122.82400

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04