Near Eastsound, 5,252-acre Moran State Park (360/376-2326 or www.parks.wa.gov) is most popular for its steep, paved road to the 2,409-foot summit of Mt. Constitution, where you'll discover a 52-foot stone observation tower constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936. This is the highest point on the San Juans and offers a commanding view in all directions, from Mt. Rainier to British Columbia.

If you've ridden to the top by bike, it’s an exciting ride back down. Another popular attraction is Cascade Falls, where Cascade Creek drops into a deep pool 100 feet below. A quarter-mile path leads to the falls, and you can continue uphill to two less-impressive waterfalls.

The park has more than 30 miles of other hiking trails, from easy nature loops to remote and rugged out-of-the-way hikes. Get a park map for details on all of these. A four-mile loop trail circles Mountain Lake, offering a chance to see black-tailed deer, particularly in the morning and early evening. You can climb to the summit of Mt. Constitution from Mountain Lake on a 3.7-mile path, or save your legs by catching a ride to the top and hiking downhill instead.

Moran State Park has several lakes that are popular for fishing, nonmotorized boating, and swimming in the cold water. Rent rowboats and paddleboats (summers only) at the largest of these, Mountain and Cascade Lakes, where you'll find good trout and kokanee fishing. Both also have boat ramps and fishing supplies. Cascade Lake has a roped-off swimming area in the summer, and the park is one of the most popular camping places in the state.