Located in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, San Juan Island offers mild summer temperatures and lots of outdoor activities. Visitors to the island will find a National Park Service site, packed with history, and one of the best places to see whales from land. With ferry service from several Washington ports, travelers can hike, bike and eat seafood during their getaway. Here are the top things to do on San Juan Island.
16 Top Things To Do on San Juan Island
Visit San Juan Island National Historical Park, American Camp
Go for a Hike
Stroll the Beach
Find a Tidepool
Picnic at San Juan NHP
Earn a Junior Ranger Badge or BARK Ranger Badge
Visit San Juan Island National Historical Park English Camp
Go Whale Watching at Lime Kiln Point State Park
Take a Ferry
Bike on San Juan Island
Tour The Whale Museum
Visit the Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm
Stroll the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park
Visit the San Juan Islands Museum of Art
Stop by the Westcott Bay Shellfish Farm
Go Glamping at Lakedale Resort
San Juan Island National Historical Park
San Juan Island National Historical Park celebrates the success of peaceful arbitration between the United States and Great Britain. In 1871, they settled the ownership of San Juan Island with the help of Germany.
For 12 years, the island remained under peaceful joint military occupation. Then in 1871, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany ruled that San Juan Island belonged to the U.S. Months later, the British moved out, leaving a civilized camp complete with a formal garden.
With two separate locations on opposite sides of San Juan Island, the American Camp and the English Camp, visitors can learn all about the land dispute of 1859. And believe it or not, it all started when a British pig rooted around in an American vegetable garden, nearly starting a war.
Both Camps offer hiking, bird-watching, along with amazing sunsets and dark skies for stargazing. For kayaking, both locations offer put-in and take-out sites.
Hiking in San Juan National Historical Park
Hiking is one of the best ways to see a NPS site. With its location along the shoreline, visitors can hike and enjoy the epic scenery of San Juan.
There are hiking trails in both the American Camp and the English Camp. San Juan Island National Historical Park even allows leashed dogs on its trails.
American Camp History Walk–A 1.0-mile walk with signs detailing the Pig War.
Grandma’s Cove Trail--A 1.0-mile hike to a sheltered cove for swimming and tidepooling in American Camp.
Mount Finlayson Loop Trail–A 2.9-mile hike with views of the mainland mountains on a clear day in American Camp.
Officers’ Hill Trails–Several shorter trails crisscross this area and its gardens in English Camp.
Westcott Bay Trail–A 1.0-mile trail hugs the shore of the bay in the English Camp.
Tidepooling and Beach Strolling at San Juan NHP
American Camp is situated along the shore. Visitors can hike to several areas for tidepooling, splashing even swimming.
English Camp isn’t located along the ocean. However, there is a dinghy dock to launch a small boat.
South Beach–This beach, covered in driftwood with the sound of crashing waves, is very relaxing. It is popular with picnickers.
Grandma’s Cove–With its protected location, many splash at the location. There are tidepools located here too.
Fourth of July Beach–Also known as Old Town Lagoon, this area is accessible by car, and some use it to launch a kayak.
Picnic in San Juan NHP
Pack a picnic and enjoy the landscape of San Juan. San Juan Island National Historical Park offers several picnic areas.
Each is outfitted with picnic tables. Beaches are also popular picnicking spots.
American Camp Parade Ground
English Camp Parade Ground
Bell Point Loop Trail
Fourth of July Beach
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American Camp
Located on the southern tip of the park, American Camp is where the American soldiers used to live. It features the original officers’ quarters along with some outbuildings.
Take a hiking trail through wildflower-dotted prairies to the South Beach. The six-mile rocky beach offers orca viewing in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. For tide pool opportunities, visit Grandma’s Cove during low tide.
Located at 4668 Cattle Point Road on the southern peninsula, stop by the year-round visitor center for maps, an interpretive area and a park film. The visitor center is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from March until October. The park is open 24 hours a day.
English Camp
English Camp is on the northern end of San Juan Island and offers more historic buildings, including the barracks, commissary, block house and formal garden. If time permits, the hike to Bell Point offers views of Garrison and Westcott bays.
Located at 3905 W. Valley Rd. The English Camp Visitor Center is open from early May until the end of September. It is open Thursday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
San Juan Island National Historical Park with Kids and Pets
The Junior Ranger Program is the go-to program for families to learn more about San Juan Island National Historical Park. It’s free and takes about two hours to complete. My kids love the patches that the Rangers present them after completing their booklets.
To earn the San Juan Island National Historical Park Junior Ranger badge, kids need to watch the park video, located in the visitor center at both locations. Kids will need to take a hike and complete the same number of activities in the Junior Ranger booklet as their age.
San Juan Island National Historical Park offers a traditional Junior Ranger badge along with an embroidered patch. The Historic Preservation Junior Ranger badge and the Underwater Explorer badge can be earned at San Juan Island National Historical Park as well.
BARK program
San Juan Island National Historical Park welcomes pets as long as they practice the principles of the BARK program.
B–Bag waste and dispose of it in the trash
A–Always leash your dog for their safety and others
R–Respect wildlife
K–Know where you can go
Where’s San Juan Island National Historical Park
The two camps are on separate ends of the island, and a car is needed to visit each. San Juan Island National Historical Park’s grounds are open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. The San Juan Island National Historical Park is a fee-free park site.
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Lime Kiln Point State Park
The best location to scout for whales from land is at Lime Kiln Point State Park. A quick hike from the parking lot, visitors can occasionally see whales from the shore. Check in at the 1919 lighthouse for the most recent information about sightings.
Whale sitings include humpback whales, minke whales and orcas. Lime Kiln Point State Park is a 36-acre day-use park.
Located at 1567 Westside Road. Admission is $10 for a one-day Washington Discovery Pass or $30 for an annual pass. Lime Kiln Point State Park is open from 8 a.m. to dusk. The visitor center is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Memorial Day until the middle of September.
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Take a Ferry Ride
Getting to San Juan Island is part of the fun. If you’re not flying, you’re taking a boat to San Juan Island.
My kids loved that we drove our SUV onto the Washington State Ferry. We parked and then explored the ferry during our passage, which takes about an hour.
Reservations are recommended for summer passage.
Biking on San Juan Island
San Juan Island offers a great 35-mile loop so you can explore without repeating your routes. It includes interesting stops like San Juan Vineyards, Roche Harbor and the National Park site.
There’s a 45 mph speed limit across the island. Adventurous families could bike around the island. In Friday Harbor, there are several bike shops for rentals and find bike tour operators as well.
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Tour The Whale Museum
During my visit to San Juan Island, we stopped at The Whale Museum. Ideal for kids who yearn to learn about the whales seen from the shore. It’s a quick tour and can be explored in an hour.
Located at 62 First Street in Friday Harbor. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $12, kids (6 to 18) enter for $6 and those five and younger enter for free.
Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm
See the cutest hoofed animals at the Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm. Each has kind eyes and grazes the pastures on San Juan Island. After seeing the Alpacas, visit the farm store for yard along with knitwear.
Located at 3501 W. Valley Rd. Open Monday, Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
San Juan Islands Sculpture Park
Walk in the 20-acre park with more than 150 pieces of outdoor sculpture. There are several trails to explore the art that is themed, with trails just for families.
There is a picnic table. This site is also dog-friendly.
Located at 9083 Roche Harbor Rd. Open from dawn to dusk. Donation of $5 greatly appreciated.
San Juan Islands Museum of Art
Enjoy an intimate art museum while visiting the San Juan Islands. It offers traveling exhibitions, including painting, sculpture, photography, and more.
Located at 540 Spring St. Open Friday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission (18+) is $10, and those 18 and younger enter for free. Monday is pay-as-you-wish.
Westcott Bay Shellfish Farm
This is a working shellfish farm where Manila clams, Mediterranean mussels and Pacific oysters are grown. You can have lunch at the farm or take some shellfish back to cook.
Located at 904 Westcott Dr. Open during the summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day), Wednesday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Glamping at Lakedale Resort
During our visit to San Juan Island, we glamped at Lakedale Resort. My family had a canvas cottage ($$) along the shore of Neva Lake.
The centerpiece of my canvas cottage was the chandelier that I never knew I needed until I had one. I especially loved looking at it from my king-sized bed, dressed with flannel bedding. And did I mention my canvas cottage had decorative throw pillows? I found lots of them.
The front of our cottage overlooked the lake with a large deck inches off the water. With a wall of bug netting, we left the front open for our entire stay, just an incredible view first thing in the morning.
The canvas cottage includes a twin-sized daybed outfitted with a trundle underneath and bedding. My kids loved sleeping on the trundle and daybed.
I found a large and bright bathroom that features a jumbo shower head with hot water. The bathroom includes a dressing area with a full-length mirror and a closet rod. The pedestal sink featured plenty of light to apply make-up, and I even found a blow dryer.
Since Lakedale Resort is heavily treed, I didn’t see the RV or tent campsites from my site. I let my older kids explore on their own on the loaner bikes.
Activities at Lakedale Resort
My kids found lots of activities just for them, like games like giant chess, bocce ball and horseshoes. Find crafts in the crafts tent, like tie-dye T-shirts. With 40 acres of lakes, find SUPs and kayaks to enjoy.
I found a complimentary breakfast at the mess tent in the morning. So incredible helpful when trying to feed the kids and make it to the ferry on time.
Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes is 5 miles from the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal. It features a 10-room lodge, two pet-friendly log cabins, canvas cabins and cottages, a vintage Airstream and standard camping and RV sites.
How to Get to San Juan Island
During my visit, I took the Washington State Ferry to Friday Harbor from Anacortes, Washington, 85 miles north of Seattle via Interstate 5. It was easy to load up my SUV and head to the top deck for a scenic ride.
Reservations are strongly recommended during the summer. Fares for adults 18 and older only, kids 18 and younger travel for free. Each vehicle registration includes one driver; each additional adult is extra.
For visitors without cars, floatplanes offer service to the San Juan Island from several locations, including Sea-Tac (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport).
Friday Harbor offers plenty of moorage for boat owners. Rental bikes and electric vehicles are available in Friday Harbor.
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Know Before You Go:
Friday Harbor is your place for shopping on San Juan Island, from groceries to souvenirs.
Find all you need for a picnic and a campfire cookout at the grocery store.
Reservations for the Washington State Ferry are highly recommended; only 10% of the ferry’s capacity is available for drive-up passage.
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