Pacific Rim Institute

97%

122 reviews

· Coupeville, Island, Washington · 175 acres

Hosted by Julie C.

Quirky

· 2 guests max · 1 bedroom · 2 beds · 1 toilet

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This land has passed through many families but was first "managed" by Salish Indians who burned the prairie and harvested native plants for food, medicine, clothing, charms and more for 10,000 years. When European settlers arrived in the 1850s, burning the prairie all but ceased and that, along with the introduction of many new exotic species of animals, crop plants and weeds, began the degradation of the landscape. Over time our site was used to graze sheep and then raise pheasants (from 1944-1999). It was slated for housing development but several citizens rose up and prevented that from happening. Now the Pacific Rim Institute, a private nonprofit organization is the steward of this precious jewel of central Whidbey and the Pacific Northwest. We have a five-acre remnant prairie with over 80 species of native plants - critical to the restoration of degraded lands throughout the Salish Sea region. We have over two miles of walking trails for you. They traverse our prairie, savannas and forests. The land is full of color when the native wildflowers bloom from early spring through early autumn. We have a Native Plant Center where we grow up to 50 species of rare native plants. Ask us for a tour.Your cabin is 12'x12' and was a former brooder house for day-old pheasant chicks when this site served as a game farm for the state of Washington. One small window and one large sliding window, one door, two large expedition cots for placing mat and sleeping bag. No electricity, but free wireless internet access. You will have privacy on the south side of the cabin looking out over the prairie. While we have many of these brooder houses on site, only one is used for Hipcamp, so you won't have any neighbors. We do work on site, and may occasionally drive by the cabin on the north side during weekdays. When you enter the property by our sign on Parker Road, go east for ~80 yards and turn right between the two buildings. The shower and bathroom doors are on the building on your right. Take an immediate left, and drive out to the rows of brooder houses. You can park one vehicle between the third and fourth unit on the right. Your Hipcamp Cabin is the fourth one on the right. The keys for the cabin and shower/bathroom are inside on the door and you'll find maps of our trails and property inside the cabin. Bring personal sleeping gear, towels, etc. Make sure your gear is suitable for the cold weather. There is a charcoal grill, for use outside of burn-ban season, but no kitchen equipment or water. Please do not lock the keys inside the coop, to make for easy cleaning between guests. You will be on a 2.5 mile trail system on our 175-acre property connecting you to our prairie, Garry oak savanna and forests. Ask early on if you'd like a short tour of our prairie/savanna or our Native Plant Center where we grow dozens of species of rare native plants year-round. We are close by bike or car to a larger trail system in Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. We are two miles east of Coupeville on Whidbey Island - small grocery store, restaurants, beach access. Whidbey is still a laid back, slow-paced area. We are near the Navy's Outlying Field where their jets occasionally do "touch and go" landings. You can search the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island website for information on the days and times they will be flying.

What to expect

Quirky

You'll have this Hipcamp all to yourself.

2 guests max

Campfires allowed

Private. There are seasonal burn bans. Burn bans usually run from sometime in July through late September. There is currently a county-wide burn ban.

Toilet available

Flush toilet. Toilet (and shower) inside building within 80 yards of cabin.

Pets allowed

On leash

Potable water available

Pump or well. The coop is on a well system and is near other facilities that have running water.

Showers available

Hot water . Within 60 yards.

Bins available

Compost bin, recycling bin, trash bin

Picnic table present

Several within 80 yards.

Wifi available

See the main office

Cooking equipment absent

Due to concerns about wildfires, we are not offering our grill to guests.

Laundry absent

Hot Tub absent

No playground

Things to know

Getting there

Check in: After 2:00 PM

Early or late check-in may be available

Check out: Before 12:00 PM

Late check-out may be available

On arrival: Head straight to site

Cancellation policy: Flexible

Minimum nights: 1 night

Accepts bookings: 6 months out

Park at listing

No wheelchair access

Max 2 vehicles

2WD accessible

During your trip

Follow the

Leave it better

Inclusion policyWe have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp. We are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper communities be inclusive.

Reviews

97% Recommend150 ratings · 122 reviews

Jenny V.

2 reviews

Recommends

· April 2025

Dog Friendly & Cozy

With pets

Exactly as listed, cute and well cared-for. The cots had thin inflatables to help cut the cold, so we didn't need to use ours. Our other friends camped in a nearby field this late March weekend and their tents were flattened by gusts all night long. We slept soundly, buffeted from the wind in our cute little hut. The dog-friendly aspect was what initially sold us, and we'd definitely be back to this darling spot when in the area.

Danielle L.

2 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

Stayed here 4 days to explore Whidbey Island with my dog. Wonderful stay - basic cabin with 2 cots. I'm a cold sleeper and my 30° degree sleeping bag + wool blanket was toasty! Cots + sleeping mats provided were comfy, I slept well. Saw 5 eagles soaring in the sky from the cabin window! 10/10 recommend, would like to stay here in the summer

Emmy S.

3 reviews

Recommends

· February 2025

Campfire in the Prairie

This was such a cool property to stay on. Sam (one of the interns) gave me a tour of the place and made sure I had everything i needed. The cabin was less rustic than i had anticipated and was even furnished. If youre visiting in winter like I was definitely make sure you have enough gear with you to stay warm. The campsite had a firepit and wood provided.

Denise R.

2 reviews

Recommends

· November 2024

With pets

The property was beautiful and quiet. We had everything we needed for the cabin, it was cozy enough.

Christine H.

2 reviews

Recommends

· September 2024

Great directions provided by host! Beautiful little piece of land :)

Isabella H.

9 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· September 2024

I loved camping here! It was so fun! The shower and bathroom were so nice.

Location

Coupeville, Island, Washington, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla, Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, sqaǰətabš (Upper Skagit), and dxʷlilap (Tulalip) First Nations according to

Native Land Digital.

To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking