Spencer Island Park

Spencer Island, a nature preserve situated just outside Everett, teems with birds and other wildlife. Flat and easily accessible, this is a great option for those looking to stretch their legs during the winter months.

Spencer Island is accessed across the historic Jackknife Bridge, originally built in 1914 and placed here after the island as opened to the public. Once you cross the bridge, you have some options. Heading left will lead you into the portion of the island where hunting is allowed during certain seasons, while to the right you can explore the area where hunting is not allowed. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we found more wildlife to look at in the latter area. We recommend wandering both directions, taking in this unique landscape while catching glimpses of nearby mountaintops like Mt. Pilchuck and Three Fingers.

While there are only a few miles of flat trail, the Spencer Island’s saltwater marshes attract a wide variety of birds and other wildlife, making it a popular destination for nature lovers. Short, flat, and easily accessible, the island is also a great option for families with small hikers or anyone looking to do a little exploring close to home. Note that the nearby sewer treatment facility and the marshes can both produce some less than pleasant odors, though there is usually enough wind to keep this to a minimum.

History

The 400-acre Spencer Island is nestled between Puget Sound and the Snohomish River. Here, the fresh water mixes with saltwater to create a somewhat unique estuary environment. Back in the late 1800s, the Spencer family began farming on the island, taking advantage of the rich soils. By the 1930s operations expanded enough that dikes were put into place to keep out the tide and allow more land to be farmed and grazed. As the marshes dried out, water loving plants gave way to different types of plants and trees. In 1985, farming operations had ceased and Spencer Island was transformed into a preserve jointly managed by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and Snohomish County Parks and Recreation Department. Work to restore the wetlands began soon afterward, and today most of the dikes surrounding the island have been breached.