Moran State Park, Olga: Address, Phone Number, Moran State Park Reviews: 5/5
Moran State Park
Moran State Park
5
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
5 within 3 miles
The Sugar Shack
2
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Fast Food
The Mansion Restaurant at Rosario Resort & Spa
453
1.1 mi$$$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
The Cascade Bay Grill and Store
75
1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar
Sugar On Top
2
1.9 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Fast Food
The Inn at Ship Bay
387
2.6 mi$$$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Attractions
25 within 6 miles
Buck Bay Shellfish Farm
148
2.9 miFarms
Mount Constitution
94
1.9 miMountains
Orcas Island Pottery
349
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Lambiel Museum
11
1.5 miArt Museums
Turtleback Mountain
69
Mountains
Orcas Island Artworks
32
2.6 miArt Galleries
Summit Learning Center
6
1.9 miNatural History Museums
Orcas Island Historical Museum
36
Mountains • Islands
Island Hoppin' Brewery
48
Breweries
Obstruction Pass State Park
38
Parks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
588 reviews
Excellent
471
Very good
105
Average
7
Poor
3
Terrible
2
C G
Austin, TX91 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
I’ve hiked and driven up Mt. Constitution. There aren’t views along the hike so I’d recommend driving up at sunset, with a beverage or picnic. It’s breathtaking. Otherwise, kayak on Mountain Lake for a beautiful afternoon.
Written August 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kathryn A
Dupont, WA12 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
Last weekend I took my teen boys and their friend to explore Moran State Park for the afternoon. We drove to the top of Mt. Constitution and enjoyed the views of surrounding islands and water. Our views were short lived however as a fog began to roll in about 15 min after we arrived. Watching the fog roll in was interesting as well. We hiked to one of the lakes in the park. We saw many mountain bikers and there were still campers enjoying the campgrounds. I would love to come back and explore more trails and camp.
Written October 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jgold10529
Portland, OR362 contributions
Aug 2020
Basically this park has something for everyone. If you wanna do easy hike you can, tough hikes to the highest point in the San Juans, you can. Cascade Lake has Kayak rentals (but no rentals on Mountain lake due to COVID) and Mountain lake and Twin lakes are great for hiking around and a swim (especially Mountain Lake). We did not camp in there so cant speak to the camp group quality, but from what I saw from the road and my hikes, they looked solid
Written August 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ellen N
14 contributions
Mar 2020
My husband and I did the Cascade lake hike two days in a row. Beautiful hike, it's not all level and I would rate it a 5 on a scale of difficulty. We stopped quite a bit and took our time but made it under 2 hours. The path loops around a lovely lake about 95% of the trail is shaded. You walk over several small creek bridges and one larger bridge, There are two bathrooms on the route, trails appear to be well marked. Worth the trip to Orcas.
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
amy38117
Monterrey, Mexico52 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
We hiked here two out of three days on Orcas Island. First day a short lap around Mountain Lake - great choice for a rainy days. Second day we hiked up Mt. Constitution from Mountain Lake trailhead following the loop hike described on the sign at the trailhead. It was excellent and glad we didn’t skip Little Summit which turned out to have the best visibility of the day. A very special place and hope to return soon.
Written December 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RadDadTravel
Bainbridge Island, WA273 contributions
Aug 2021
Moran State Park has a lot to offer. Hike, camp, and recreate in and around the lake. The camp sites are average as many of them are on the steep hillside and small sites that are pretty close together. WA State Parks expertly packs in as many sites as possible, which tends to detract from the advantages of being in nature.
The lake, both upper and lower are wonderful to swim and play in.
Mt. Constitution is worth a hike or a drive, with a wonderful new visitor center. We had limited views due to the wildfire smoke from Canada, but it was still a nice place to visit.
The lake, both upper and lower are wonderful to swim and play in.
Mt. Constitution is worth a hike or a drive, with a wonderful new visitor center. We had limited views due to the wildfire smoke from Canada, but it was still a nice place to visit.
Written September 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mikeo5547
Lewiston, ID51 contributions
Jul 2021
We visited the park several times, but the piece de resistance was the climb up to the top of Mt. Constitution. The lakes and falls are also wonderful. I'm so glad Mr. Moran donated this land for the park so many years ago
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Debby44
Flower Mound, TX109 contributions
Jul 2020
We had heard about Moran State Park and had searched options for hiking to the summit of Mt Constitution. But at our hotel, another guest recommended a 2 hour hike around Mountain Lake. I think it was 3.9 miles all the way around. Not difficult, but just so beautiful and scenic. At one point we found some driftwood to sit on and enjoyed a snack and drink. Loved this hike!
Written July 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
rcaldin
Los Angeles, CA784 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
Been to the island 3 times and never left east sound. Not this time. Park is beautiful. Nice lakes and inlet. Plenty of trails and awesome views from Mt constitution.
Great places for a picnic.
Great places for a picnic.
Written February 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
joawesome08
Corvallis, OR3 contributions
Aug 2010
I recommend camping at site 142 in the Hiker/Biker area because it comes with an Adirondack shack that you can keep stuff in or sleep in. It's really awesome and definitely the best campsite I've ever had at Moran. Plus, it's one 1/4 the cost of the other campsites. It's supposed to be "primitive" I guess but there is a water spigot and biffy just a few feet away. There are real bathrooms and showers just a short drive from the hiker/biker area anyway. My family has probably been to Moran at least 8 different times. Attractions nearby include the fun house, shopping and food in Eastsound, bike riding to Olga, Orcas Island historical Museum, and of course mount Constitution. There are several different places where you can start hiking up towards Mount Constitution depending on how far you want to hike, or you can drive up. There is a tower you can go in that explains the history of Moran. also, I recommend going to Rosario Resort. They have tours every evening where a man plays a giant organ and talks all about Moran and they even showed us a clip of the original Phantom of the Operah motion picture. there is so much to do on Orcas. It's amazing!
Written July 7, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
gulfbreezej
Gulf Breeze, FL2 contributions
Can a 67 year old, semi-fit (can walk 6 miles briskly) lone woman, do the entire loop herself? Is safety or bear attack an issue? Are regular running shoes adequate or hiking boots required? What kind of weather can this Florida lady expect? Any/all info is welcomed - & thanks!
Tubamom
Beaverton, OR508 contributions
The roads can be narrow and windy without much sight distance and drivers have to deal with alternating sun and shade, so be cautious if walking on the road.
washingt0nexpl0rer
Kenmore, WA1 contribution
Are pets allowed on the trails?
Debra L
85 contributions
Yes, as long as leashed.
Cindy L
Urbana, IL55 contributions
Can someone explain the best strategy for visiting the San Juan islands and which parks in particular you recommend?
64aly
Millbrook, NY68 contributions
It depends on the "vibe" you're looking for. Orcas and Lopez are quieter places than San Juan, based on their main towns. I'd recommend renting a cottage, stocking up at the local market and then doing a bunch of day tripping. On Orcas, try a guided kayak tour with the folks at Shearwater, in Eastsound. There's a lot do do, nature-wise, in Moran State Park, and a neat store and concessions trailer at mountain top. On San Juan, spend some time in Lime Kiln State Park. Avoid Roche Harbor unless you're a serious sailor or a powerboater. People often take bikes to Lopez because it's the least hilly of the islands. Don't think you must visit all three islands unless you have at least a full week. Ferries between the islands run often but it still takes a good chunk of time.
I visited Moran a few weeks ago and I would really love to camp there over Labor Day Weekend. At the moment, there aren't any reservable campsites on the state parks website and I know it's a busy weekend...Do I have a snowball's chance of a getting a first-come, first-serve site? Which sites do I have the best chance at?
Margi A
Friendswood, TX64 contributions
This was my first visit so I am not able to answer which sites. Our site was 39, and it was last to be taken. Apparently it was too sunny. Coming from Texas I laughed. The high was in the 70's when we were there. If its first come, I would arrive a day early. Just a thought.
Katrina123456
11 contributions
where is the best kyacking?
SuzKats
Seattle, WA122 contributions
Mountain lake in the park!
Brady M
Portland, OR
Can you recommend some of the best camping sites in Moran State Park? Preferably with good showers and baths. Thank you
bhall4
Seattle, WA261 contributions
The South End campsites are the most popular, and have nice (enough) bathroom facilities. They're popular because many of them have their own private lake access from the campsite. You have to book them well in advance though - like now for next summer. If they are all booked for the dates you want, though, don't give up. People book them now, then end up cancelling as the dates get closer for various reasons. Just keep checking back periodically. The North End sites are okay too. They also have decent bathroom facilities, and are close to the public beach area, which is fun.
Lisa C
Longmont, CO253 contributions
Can you drive all the way to the top of Mount Constitution or is there hiking involved?
nancy h
Camano Island, WA66 contributions
You can drive all the way up. At the top is a parking lot and bathrooms and a very short walk up an incline to the tower at the top. You can also hike up and back down if you are so inclined. The road up the mountain looks like an access road and only has one little sign to let you know to head up it. And it has lots of hairpin turns. It's worth the drive.
Frequently Asked Questions about Moran State Park
- Hotels near Moran State Park:
- (0.48 mi) Otters Pond Bed and Breakfast of Orcas Island
- (1.10 mi) Rosario Resort and Spa
- (4.21 mi) Kangaroo House Bed & Breakfast on Orcas Island
- (3.45 mi) Outlook Inn on Orcas Island
- (6.12 mi) Pebble Cove Farm
- Restaurants near Moran State Park:
- (0.22 mi) The Sugar Shack
- (1.10 mi) The Mansion Restaurant at Rosario Resort & Spa
- (2.61 mi) The Inn at Ship Bay
- (3.38 mi) Brown Bear Baking
- (3.47 mi) New Leaf Cafe
- Attractions near Moran State Park:
- (3.41 mi) Shearwater Kayak Tours
- (3.40 mi) Deer Harbor Charters
- (2.89 mi) Buck Bay Shellfish Farm
- (4.38 mi) Outer Island Expeditions
- (1.88 mi) Mount Constitution