Take a ferry to San Juan Island to be a part of history and to see the wondrous natural landscape. Even on this relatively large island, you’re never far from the ocean! For more information on the Trail, visit the Washington Water Trails Association website. © 2021 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved. With easy access from Highway 145 and an idyllic spot on the Dolores River, you'll have access to fishing … Commonly referred to as “the Gem of the San Juan Islands”, Moran State Park (located on Orcas Island) is the perfect location to be able to get in all of the outdoor adventures that you can handle, all in one incredible location. as well as glamping, cabins, rental RVs and RV sites if you bring an RV. Snow and ice happen occasionally during the winter. Spring and fall are mild and rainy with some sunny days. I also recommend checking out what I wear for hiking in the Pacific Northwest as well as what I bring on day hikes, if you are planning to do some hiking in the islands! It’s a beautiful and quite place to watch the water and just slow down for awhile. Are you planning on camping in san juan island, Washington? I’m so glad to have you along on the journey to experience your best low key adventure in Washington, Alaska and Western Canada! Three British warships and 500 U.S. Army troops were ready for war, but cooler heads prevailed. You can even bring your kayak or bike along with you! Blog. Summer has long days and ideal weather, but it is also the busiest time and hardest to get a reservation, along with all holiday wekeends. This campground overlooks Obstruction Pass and the other islands through a lovely forest. If you have access to another type of boat such as a sailboat or power boat, you can anchor or tie on to a mooring ball and camp on shore on the remote islands. The 2409-foot Mount Constitution offers the best view over the San Juan Islands. San Juan Island – San Juan Island is the second largest island by size, but the most populated by far. July and August are the warmest months to visit and also the busiest. Learn about the best of the San Juan Islands' details on everything including accommodations, dining, whale watching and activities. Three days offer the perfect amount of time to explore the islands and spend time … This is another place you can bike to (it’s uphill but I just walk my bike up the steep bit). The best time to visit the San Juan Islands is between April and October. Whether you bring your own or rent on the islands, kayaking the San Juan shorelines is a peaceful event. We are a private destination resort specializing in providing guests with an authentic San Juan Islands getaway. Blog. You should also get a reservation for the ferry, as the ferries fill up! The ferry schedule can be a bit tricky to read, so make sure to check it carefully. Affordable and even luxurious private RV Parks and public campgrounds can be found throughout the islands. San Juan County Park One of the best campgrounds in the San Juans the sites offer great views, water access, and it is a great location for exploring the rest of the Island. These are covered in the section under each specific island below. The San Juan Islands boast some of the best places to camp and recreate in the entire PNW. Camping in the San Juan Islands is amazing! The only problem was that the British claimed the island as its own. There are no hook ups but RVs are allowed in some sites. Sucia Island has 10 miles of trail to explore the various bays on the island and it’s also a good place to see marine mammals. Best Camping in San Juan Islands on Tripadvisor: Find traveller reviews, candid photos, and prices for 9 camping in San Juan Islands, Washington. Group Camping Last updated: [wpautoterms last_updated_date]If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us. About a mile-and-a-half southeast of Sucia is Matia Island—another incredibly remote … The weather in the San Juan Islands is similar to the weather in Seattle and Vancouver BC. Maybe we are prejudice, but we think, San Juan Island is the best of the best islands. The mooring balls and dock space are usually full with recreational boaters, but if you kayak or get dropped off by a water you should have no problem finding a campsite. Best San Juan Islands camping getaways The San Juan Islands is a cluster of islands, or an archipelago, off of the northwestern corner of mainland Washington, accessible by ferry (both for cars and walk-on travelers) or by plane. San Juan Island Camping – Adventures in the Great Outdoors! Getting to the San Juan Islands generally involves taking the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes, which stops at Lopez, Shaw, Orcas and Friday Harbor (San Juan Island). At Kroeger Campground in La Plata Canyon, the steep dropoffs will leave you breathless. There is a very small store. Take in the beauty of the San Juan National forest as you hike portions of the Colorado Trail from Kroeger Campground. Lime Kiln Point is a wonderful state park to visit but it does not have camping. I looked at camping options on Orcas Island and the only options I could find were campgrounds at Moran State Park or reserved cabins. Cayton Campground. Reservations can be made on their website. There is also a composting toilet near the campground. Park rangers and people in period costume help bring San Juan Island's history to life. The park is about a 20 minute drive from the Friday Harbor ferry terminal. Find places to camp and glamp on Lopez, San Juan, Shaw Island and Orcas Island. San Juan Island Camping & Glamping. The three largest islands are geographically unique: Orcas being the hilliest (The tallest peak is Mount Constitution at almost exactly a half-mile elevation. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This island in Puget Sound was the flashpoint of escalating tensions between the United States and Great Britain. Best Camping in San Juan Islands on Tripadvisor: Find traveler reviews, candid photos, and prices for 9 camping in San Juan Islands, Washington, United States. Park rangers and people in period costume help bring San Juan Island's history to life. . Winter is generally wet with temperatures in the 40s. ), Lopez the flattest and best for easy cycling and San Juan Island is a combination of both. Details on this are found below in the remote islands section. In addition, the Washington State parks marine parks are part of the Cascadia Marine Trail system, a network of campsites along the beaches that are free or very low cost to kayakers throughout the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea (Puget Sound). Spencer Spit is one of my favorite places in all of Washington State! Your Explorer Chick Guide will be easy to find in her Explorer Chick apparel. I looked at camping options on Orcas Island and the only options I could find were campgrounds at Moran State Park or reserved cabins. In … Beach Camping in the United States. Lakedale Resort offers glamping, yurts, cabins, and regular hotel stays. On San Juan Island there is also camping! Either way, you’re in for a killer view! The San Juan Islands offer an escape that feels like world’s away from the mainland, but this archipelago sits just off the west coast of Washington State. Moran State Park is 5,424-acres and offers abundant camping (151 sites), five freshwater lakes for swimming and non-motorized boating and more than 30 miles of hiking, bicycling, mountain biking and equestrian trails. Camping in the San Juan Islands involves more logistics than other camping trips between figuring out the ferry, where you can camp and what you need to reserve. Best Camping in San Juan Islands on Tripadvisor: Find traveller reviews, candid photos, and prices for 9 camping in San Juan Islands, Washington. The respective commanders on both sides kept the situation calm. Lopez Island is the flattest island and therefore the easiest to bike on. Kayakers can camp at Washington State Parks without being turned away IF they arrive in the park by kayak (or other human powered craft such as a bike or small sailboat)! Odlin County Park is a fantastic beach and campground just over a mile from the ferry terminal. Go for a sunset paddle. I prefer to take my kayak and then paddle around near my destination. RV Parks Near Me Top Searched ... Best State Park Camping – 2019 Campers Choice Awards The Best State Park Campgrounds in Each State. English Camp sits on one pristine beach. Despite it’s lack of ferry service, Sucia Island is quite popular with recreational boaters and parts of the island get very busy! Our all women team will paddle from San Juan Island to small remote islands in the San Juan Archipelago where we will set up camp and hike to scenic vistas to watch the sunset and possibly spot marine mammals. On average, 3-star hotels in San Juan Islands cost $156 per night, and 4-star hotels in San Juan Islands are $236 per night. Reservations are definitely necessary here spring through fall. The campgrounds on remote islands without ferry service don’t take reservations, but finding a campsite on these islands is usually no problem. One of the premier places to camp in Washington, Lakedale offers the best of camping with all the benefits of a resort. Rain is possible even in summer so make sure to be prepared! San Juan County Parks also offers camping and requires reservations to be made 90 days in advance. There are also boat rentals available between Memorial Day and Labor Day and fishing in Cascade Lake. The summer months bring on peak prices, too. We paddle from San Juan Island to small islands in the San Juan Archipelago where we set up camp and hike to scenic vistas. Day 1 – Welcome to the San Juan Islands + Sunset Whale Cruise. San Juan Islands Boat-in Camping Video 2020. While there are several choices we stayed on San Juan Island (with the County seat of Friday Harbor). There are several places to camp on Cypress, but my favorite is Pelican Beach. Before you hit the road, check here for information on parks in san juan island, Washington that offer WiFi, swimming, cabins and other amenities Good Sam Club Members Save 10% at Good Sam RV Parks Friday Harbor. You can check out the spectacular view from Mt Constitution, or swim in one of the lakes. Visit our Lodging and Vacation Rental pages for other great places to stay on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands. There are many miles of trails including the spectacular Eagle Cliff Trail (closed from Feb 1 – July 15 each year) with it’s incredible view. Try San Juan Islands camping on your next vacation. Beach Camping in the United States. Make sure to look into the additional cost for the type of RV you have as well as the requirements of the campground you intend to visit. San Juan County Park is open year round and accepts reservations April 1 – October 1. Moran State Park is 5,424-acres and offers abundant camping (151 sites), five freshwater lakes for swimming and non-motorized boating and more than 30 miles of hiking, bicycling, mountain biking and equestrian trails. San Juan Island is the most populated of the three islands and the best option if you don’t plan to bring or rent a car. Our glamping sites are surrounded by 5,000 acres of forest, lakes, and waterfalls. The island’s rich history, natural beauty, rare wildlife, and secluded anchorages make this emerald green paradise a must-see for boaters all over the world. Nothing beats the epic sunsets, beautiful beaches, madrona trees and the marine wildlife! The 3 Day San Juan Island Kayak Camping Tour is perfect for those wanting to spend more time exploring the San Juan Islands. Best camping on San Juan Islands After 6 years in Seattle, my boyfriend and I haven't been out to the San Juan Islands yet and are thinking of going camping this weekend or next. Get ready to brave some of the crowds if you're coming in summer, because Cayton Campground is a popular spot. When you plan your trip to the San Juan Islands, it’s important to consider which island(s) you want to visit. The Americans and British agreed to jointly patrol the island and conduct military exercises until their governments decided on. The Americans and British agreed to jointly patrol the island and conduct military exercises until their governments decided on a border. San Juan Islands Camping, Orcas Island, Friday Harbor. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Huge pine trees shelter hiking trails as you explore the island. Guests have been enjoying camping at West Beach Resort since the 1930s. Are you planning on camping in san juan island, Washington? San Juan Islands Camping: Campendium has reviews of 0 Campgrounds in San Juan Islands. Lopez Island, historically the agricultural island, is relatively flat, open and pastoral, with four County day parks and one County camping park. Whale watching excursions are available from San Juan, Lopez, and Orcas islands, but to stack the deck for seeing a pod of orcas or other whales, leave from San Juan Island. campgrounds) if social distancing of 6 feet is not possible and when visiting all indoor businesses and public facilities. In 2017 we came out with "San Juan Islands Travel Guide," a by land and by sea guide and in 2019 updated the original cruiser's guidebook. Our guests enjoy the best food in the industry and we have real-time information about where whales have been spotted; making this the top kayak camping tour in the San Juan Islands. The park is about a half hour drive from the Orcas Island ferry terminal. Imagine going to war with Canada (well, Britain, but they ran that part of Canada at the time). The San Juan Islands offer many opportunities for hiking adventures, including rocky bluffs, mountains, lakes, beaches, vistas and more. Searchable listings of San Juan Islands RV parks and campgrounds. Best backpacking trails in San Juan National Forest, Colorado 3,123 Reviews Explore the most popular backpacking trails in San Juan National Forest with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. There are four campgrounds in the park, all are along one of the park’s lakes. This requires crossings of multiple shipping lanes and sometimes big waves! Spring and Fall can be a sweet spot if you watch for a good window of weather, or are prepared for rain. Roche Harbor is a historic seaside resort located on San Juan Island, Washington. Hi! Moon San Juan Islands, 5th Edition (Moon Handbooks) by Don Pitcher. Mount Constitution stands 2,409 feet above sea level. One of the few auto-access state parks in the San Juan Islands, Spencer Spit provides dramatic, east-facing views of Decatur and Blakely islands and features a rare sand spit enclosed by a salt-chuck lagoon. Along the beach, bring your binoculars to look for orcas splashing in the water. … Spend the day there between June and September, and you are very likely to spot an orca. Overhead flies the Union Jack to mark the point where the British Royal Marines maintained a presence on the island. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. I've been a tour guide in both Alaska and Washington and I love to share the places I love with visitors, newcomers and my fellow locals. For the classic Pacific Northwest experience, consider camping on San Juan Island. 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