Moran State Park

A retired shipbuilder's gift to Washington, this 5,424-acre park on Orcas Island features Mount Constitution, historic stone structures, and pristine glacial lakes.

Moran State Park occupies more than 5,000 acres of Swa'lax, the traditional Coast Salish name for Orcas Island. This sprawling public wilderness owes its existence to the dual forces of civic philanthropy and Great Depression-era public works. In 1921, retired shipbuilder and former Seattle mayor Robert Moran donated over 2,700 acres of his private estate to the State of Washington, a gift that laid the foundation for what is now the fourth-largest state park in Washington. Moran, who had built a massive fortune in marine construction before retiring to the island in 1906, personally funded the early development of roads, trails, and concrete entrance arches when the state legislature failed to allocate maintenance funds. Today, the park is a sanctuary of old-growth Douglas fir, cedar, and hemlock, where the legacy of Moran's grand vision remains etched into the very landscape.

The physical centerpiece of the park is Mount Constitution, the highest point in the San Juan Islands at 2,409 feet. Rising above the forest canopy, the summit is crowned by a 53-foot stone observation tower designed by noted Seattle architect Ellsworth Storey and constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936. Built by the young men of Camp Moran's 4768th Company, the tower was crafted from hand-cut local sandstone to resemble a 12th-century watchtower from the Caucasus region. The structure served a dual purpose as a fire lookout and a visitor viewpoint, offering panoramic vistas that stretch across the Salish Sea to Mount Baker, Mount Rainier, the Cascade Range, and the snowy peaks of Vancouver Island. The CCC's distinctive rustic style, characterized by heavy timber and local stone, defines much of the park's historic infrastructure, including the original stone bridges still in use along Olga Road and Mount Constitution Road.

Below the alpine heights of the summit lie five freshwater lakes, with Cascade Lake and Mountain Lake serving as the primary hubs for recreation. Cascade Lake, which local Lummi legend says was once emptied of its fish by the anger of Raven, is now stocked with trout and serves as a classic summer swimming destination. Along its shores, the historic Sugar Shack concession stands as a seasonal favorite, offering homemade ice cream sandwiches, espresso, and kayak rentals. For those seeking quieter waters, Mountain Lake offers a tranquil four-mile loop trail through moss-draped forests, where the only sounds are the wind in the high canopy and the occasional call of a nesting bald eagle. With more than 38 miles of hiking trails, several waterfalls, and historic campgrounds that now feature modern glamping sites, Moran State Park preserves a rugged, historic pocket of the Pacific Northwest.