Parks and Beaches: Discover Pristine San Juan Island…

San Juan Island National Historical Park
San Juan Island was once held by both American and British forces, each with their own encampment.
The former camps are now both National Historic Parks offering a wealth of historical and recreational
opportunities.
Open All Year
Visitor Center & Ranger Station hours of operation vary seasonally. Please call for details.
(360) 378-2902

American Camp

Just six miles southeast of Friday Harbor is American Camp, with more than 1,200 acres of prairie, meadow,
forest and beach lands with multiple hiking trails and unforgettable ocean views; including South Beach,
4th of July Beach, Cattle Point and Jackle’s Lagoon. Ranger guided walks, interpretive events, picnic tables,
fire pits, and restrooms are also available.

• South Beach
  While the Ranger Station is not to be missed for information, the heart of American Camp is certainly South
  Beach, with its expansive shores looking across the Strait of Juan De Fuca toward the Olympic mountains.
  Described in a leading travel magazine as one of the Top 10 Beaches in the United States, here you can still
  find a quiet, solitary patch of sand and stone on the water even in the peak of summer. Limited picnic tables
  and fire pits are great for evening gatherings any season.

• Cattle Point Lighthouse
  A short hike off the road near the south end of American Camp you?ll find this incredibly picturesque little
  light facility at the very end of a narrow bluff with water views nearly 350 degrees around.

• Fourth of July Beach
  While a little buggy in the summer months, 4th of July beach at American Camp still offers fantastic access
  to peaceful Griffin Bay and is a great spot for watching eagles search for fish in the calm San Juan Island
  waters.

• Mt. Finlayson Nature Trail At just 290 feet, the hike up Mt. Finlayson offers an
  easy peak with still astonishing views of South Beach and across the Strait of Juan De Fuca toward the
  Olympic Mountains.

• Jackle’s Lagoon Trail
  Jackle’s Lagoon trail starts just at a small parking area on the Northeast side of the road just opposite
  Pickett’s Lane. The roughly 2 mile long hike winds through some of San Juan Island’s oldest forest to
  a series of small lagoons on the south side of Griffin Bay.

English Camp

• Open All Year
  Visitor Center & Ranger Station hours of operation vary seasonally. Please call for details. (360) 378-2902

Eagle Cove Park

• 6 miles southeast of Friday Harbor on Eagle Cove road, just before American Camp.     On an island
  of mostly pebble beaches, Eagle Cove offers a real sand beach extremely popular with locals for summer
  sunning, skim boarding and children’s beach activities. Also about the only place on San Juan Island (other
  than the swimming pool at The Friday Harbor Inn) where the water might be warm enough for some brave
  souls to swim.

San Juan County Park

• 380 West Side Road
  www.co.san-juan.wa.us/parks
  (360) 378-1842
  If you are bringing kayaks to San Juan Island, plan to launch at this 12 acre county park and campground
  adjacent Smallpox Bay on San Juan Island’s west side. There is a lovely grassy bluff overlooking Haro Strait
  which is great for spotting porpoises, watching the shipping channels and viewing Orcas on a lucky day.
  Restrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, 20 campsites, boat launch & mooring buoys.

Egg Lake

• A small fishing lake on Egg Lake Road in the northeast interior of San Juan Island. Rainbow Trout
  and Small Mouth Bass off a small public access dock or launch a row boat from the almost hidden boat
  ramp just south of the dock.

Jackson Beach

• Off Pear Point Road.  Jackson is the closest beach to town, offering access to the calm waters of
  Griffin Bay with picnic tables, fire pits, volley ball and a decent place for beginners to launch kayaks.

Lime Kiln State Park

• The only State park in the country specifically dedicated to whale watching, Lime Kiln
  (locally called whale watch park) is about 9 miles west of Friday Harbor. There is a pay-to-park
  lot with bathroom facilities and a very short, well-developed trail to the rocky bluff overlooking Haro
  Strait. In the summer months, resident Orcas frequently pass within yards of the shoreline once or
  twice each day. In spite of its whale watching designation, Lime Kiln is an excellent place to watch
  island wildlife all year, including porpoises, seals, eagles, otters and scores of interesting shorebirds.
  The wonderful trail follows the bluff connecting a light house now used for whale research with an
  observation point. In the summer, whale researchers offer lighthouse tours at irregular intervals. The
  last recorded passing of whales is always posted here.

Reuben Tarte Park

• Off of Rouleau Road on NE San Juan Island. Perhaps the least visited San Juan Island park,
  Reuben Tarte offers two tiny pebble coves separated by a small peninsula with a trail winding through
  wild rose bushes. Kids will love turning over the rocks to find small crabs while parents enjoy the view
  of some of the smaller San Juan Islands, Orcas Island and entrancing boat traffic. The Northeastern
  view is unusual on the island, as most public beachs are on the west side.

Sportsman’s Lake

• This 66 acre lake Northwest of Friday Harbor by 3 miles has a boat ramp for launching small
  craft, but is rarely used. The ramp is difficult to identify; look for a widening in the road as you pass by.

Turn Point Park

• Here is a very small parking area with access to the water for launching small craft. The main
  attraction at this little used site is really Turn Island, a wildlife refuge located a few hundred yards
  offshore. It’s a wonderful spot when you get there, but be careful if you go. Strong currents pass between
  San Juan Island and Turn Island!

Westcott Bay Reserve Sculpture Park

• A completely captivating combination of an outdoor sculpture gallery and a nature preserve park.
  Nineteen acres of meadow, forest, pond and shoreline displaying over 100 pieces. The trails are well
  developed and mapped and the sculptures are incredibly diverse. Also offering art and appreciation classes
  seasonally.

San Juan Island Parks & Recreation District

• 580 Guard Street
  Friday Harbor, WA 98250
  (360) 378-4953
  Friday Harbor’s parks and recreation program offers sports, fitness, sailing and recreation camps for adults
  and children throughout the summer. Their schedule of events and programs also includes other private
  camp offerings for children on San Juan Island. Visiting children might enjoy an interactive and educational
  day camp during your visit. Please consider a donation, as this wonderful program is always in jeopardy of
  lost funding.