Robert Y. Pratt Preserve at Ebey's Landing — Attraction in Coupeville

It is the first and the only American National Historical Reserve located near Coupeville county on Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound, Washington. Spread over 17,572 acres, it was named after intrepid Colonel Isaac N Ebey (1818- 1857), who became the first permanent settler at this beautiful Island Prairie. Coming from Missouri in search of land, he was struck by its beauty, location and abundance of resources. The landing stretches about three miles in the gulf across Port Townsend in the deep waters of Puget Sound. An ascending gradient (21 floors on my phone) from the landing leads to a huge farmland prairie. The landing was a perfect spot for ships and adventurers looking to enterprise and trade throughout the island. The place is naturally replete with fascinating stories. Issac Ebey, a Colonel with the then US Customs, upon discovering, loved it so much (he called it ‘paradise of nature’) that he exhorted his parents and family to permanently settle there. They did in 1851. Alas, it proved short lived. On 11 August 1857, he was tragically slained by ravaging northern coastal Indians who, out on a vengeance, mistook him to be killer of one of their chieftans. Till this day, Colonel Ebey’s house and blockhouse (a wooden fortification) stay preserved by the local trust board. In that, it has saved the grandeur from modern commercial plunder. The sedate beauty and the magic of the place is really transfixing, as time seems to sit still atop the hill and...

Whidbey Island has so many different environments to visit. If you are looking for wide open views of the Sound this is the place to come. There are two entrances on opposite ends of the bluff with limited parking that require the Discovery pass that is sold onsite. You can also park on the road without the pass.

The trail goes above and follows the bluff and loops onto the beach. The beach is very rocky so if you do not like that type of workout on your ankles, knees, and hips simply turn back up the bluff and return the way you came.

There are several spots to stop and admire the changing scenery, watch the various types of foul and other critters in the adjacent forest. There are some spots under the trees if you need shade or shelter. When we visited it was a perfect sunny 60⁰ F with a slight breeze. Simply perfect.

There is a restroom and small trashcan at the lower parking lot. Please be considerate and pack out as much as you can. Overflowing trash cans lead to animals eating plastic and...

This place has fantastic views on a clear day! The place is slightly confusing, as the area is maintained by several different agencies. Parking is either in a small lot at the bottom of the hairpin turn or on the side of the road, ocean side. The Historic Reserve includes beach access, staircase to bluff-ridge hiking, and trails into the forest or to the historic cabin. Be prepared to walk 3/4mi out for cabin or 3.5mi for the longer forest trail. The historic cabin can be accessed from the main road (if you don't want to park by the beach). American Bald Eagles and other unique birds have been sighted here. Recommended for families and...