San Juan County Conservation Land Bank
Channel Preserve
Lopez Island
Activities
Features
The Channel Preserve is located on the west side of Lopez Island. Purchased by the Conservation Land Bank in 2017, this roughly 9.5 acre shoreline property ranges in environments from a forest, to wetlands, to a coarse, cobble beach at the base of high-banked bluffs. This purchase would not have been possible without the combined efforts of the Land Bank, donations from the Lopez community, and grants from the Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account and Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program.
9.5
ACRES PRESERVED
Trail Description
The Channel Preserve is a quiet shoreline preserve, except when it comes to wildlife. An approximately ½ mile pedestrian trail leads Preserve visitors through a second growth forest, past small pocket wetlands and down to a beach that looks out onto San Juan Channel. Wildlife watchers may see river otter, harbor seals, and a variety of songbirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl. To protect nearshore wildlife, dogs are not allowed.
From the shoreline, views extend past Shark Reef in the San Juan Channel to landmarks within the archipelago like Turtleback Mountain, and farther still to the Olympic Range. At low tides, roughly 465 feet of public sandy beach connect to over one mile of public tidelands. At high tides, public tidelands below mean high water are submerged and access is limited to the Land Bank uplands and beachfront.
Preserve Map
When you visit
• Stay on designated trails.
• Day use only, no camping.
• No fires.
• No dogs.
• Follow leave no trace principles. Take nothing and leave nothing.
Driving Directions
From the Lopez ferry landing:
Take Ferry Road heading south. At 2.2 miles the road veers right and the name changes to Fisherman Bay Road. Continue past Lopez Village and along Fisherman Bay. After 7.0 miles turn right onto Airport Rd, then turn left onto Shark Reef Rd at 7.4 miles. Continue south and at 8.2 miles turn right onto Meadow Lane. The trailhead parking is on the right, 8.3 miles from the start.
Click the links below to see what flora and fauna others are observing at this Preserve.
