From rugged shorelines to quiet island campsites, the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) helps keep Washington’s shorelines accessible and sustainably-managed for future generations. This month’s featured project highlights how WWRP State Lands Development & Renovation grants are improving recreation opportunities on one of Puget Sound’s most remarkable islands.
Pelican Beach Renovation and Development
Tucked along the shores of Cypress Island, Pelican Beach Campground has long been a favorite stop for boaters, campers, and paddlers exploring Puget Sound. Protected from strong onshore winds and framed by sweeping views of the Cascades and eastern San Juans, it’s the kind of place that reminds visitors what makes Washington’s outdoors so special.
Now, thanks to a $321,700 WWRP State Lands Development & Renovation grant awarded to the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Pelican Beach is getting important upgrades to improve both visitor experience and long-term sustainability.
The project will renovate existing campsites, trails, boardwalks, staircases, fencing, kiosks, and picnic facilities while adding six new campsites and a new restroom. DNR will also replace an unsustainable fall-line trail with a newly aligned trail designed to better protect the island’s natural resources while improving access for visitors.
Located within the Cypress Island Natural Resources Conservation Area – the largest relatively undeveloped island in the San Juan Islands – Pelican Beach offers access to a truly unique landscape. Cypress Island protects more than 5,000 acres of forests, wetlands, grasslands, marine habitat, and rare ecosystems, while also providing miles of trails, scenic viewpoints, and opportunities for boating and camping close to Washington’s population centers.
As outdoor recreation continues to grow across Washington, WWRP State Lands Development grants help state agencies repair aging infrastructure, improve safety, reduce overcrowding, and ensure more people can enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Projects like Pelican Beach demonstrate how strategic investments in recreation can both enhance public access and protect the landscapes that make these experiences possible.
This project was funded as part of the $120 million appropriated to the WWRP this biennium and is currently active, with completion planned for 2028.