| Parks and Beaches: Discover Pristine San Juan Island... |
American Camp-
Open All Year
Visitor Center & Ranger Station hours of operation vary seasonally. Please call for details.
(360) 378-2902
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.
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
San Juan Island National Historical Park |
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. | |
Eagle Cove Park
6 miles southeast of Friday Harbor on Eage
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 Wes 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
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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
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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
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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
www.wbay.org
(360) 370-5050 |
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
www.islandrec.org |
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. | |
