HARVEST PROFILE: Spencer Spit State Park (7,840 feet of shoreline) is located on the eastern shore of Lopez Island in the San Juan Islands. It is one of the only state parks in the San Juan Islands that is accessible by car. The south side of the spit is primarily sandy-gravel with eelgrass beds and some mud lower in the intertidal zone. The tip of the spit has a larger cobble substrate with a slightly higher density of clams. The best clam habitat occurs in the muddy gravel flats on the north side of the spit. A brackish lagoon drains through these gravel beds. Clam species available at Spencer Spit State Park include: native littleneck clams, varnish clams, butter clams, and cockles. This is also a very good beach for horse clams. The best place to dig for the horse clams is on the south side of the point.

DIRECTIONS TO SITE: Spencer Spit State Park is 4.1 miles from the ferry landing on the northeast side of the island. There are signs for the state park at each intersection to help guide you there. From the ferry terminal, follow Ferry Rd. Take a left at Center Rd., then left at Cross Rd. Turn right at Port Stanley and left at Bakerview Rd. Follow Bakerview Rd. straight into the park.

FACILITIES: There is a campground, mooring buoys, 2 miles of hiking trails, a covered picnic shelter and bathrooms. This is also a popular place for crabbing and car-top boating.