The island is relatively flat compared to the other islands, which makes it especially popular with bicyclists. The main village is Lopez, half-way down the west coast, where you will find stores, an inn, and other services. It is the one island which still has some profitable working farms and a low enough traffic volume that drivers still wave to each other as they pass. Lopez has good beaches and campgrounds, including 80-acre Odlin Park at the island's north end, and Spencer Spit State Park to the southwest. Camp Nor'wester offers boys and girls all the usual summer activities of swimming, boating, and hiking as well as crafts and Northwest-oriented Indian lore activities.
Roads are mostly inland and afford little access to, or even views of the shoreline.
There are two other Catholic religious orders on Shaw, including the Order of the Benedictines which has a monastery on the island. Transportation Most travellers to the San Juans arrive by Washington State Ferries which originate in Anacortes. The islands are also accessible by ferry from Sidney, near Victoria, British Columbia. The current ferry schedule is reproduced below. Be advised that ferries are often crowded and it is best to arrive early at the terminal in order not to be overloaded to a later sailing.