Recreate responsibly during COVID-19. Explore the natural beauty from its very heart. The park has hiker/biker sites as well as Cascadia Marine trail sites at the beach. Washington State Parks have a policy of not turning away campers who arrive by bike. In … It also has very little car traffic and two wonderful bike in campgrounds, one just over a mile from the ferry! 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. 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. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Blog. There are fire rings, picnic tables and pit toilets. It’s the highest point in all of the San Juan Islands and no trip to Orcas Island is complete without taking in the panorama from the top of the watchtower. San Juan County Parks also offers camping and requires reservations to be made 90 days in advance. 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. RV Parks. You can even bring your kayak or bike along with you! The park is about a half hour drive from the Orcas Island ferry terminal. Nearby campsites let you explore this beautiful area at your leisure. I looked at camping options on Orcas Island and the only options I could find were campgrounds at Moran State Park or reserved cabins. Winter is generally wet with temperatures in the 40s. campgrounds) if social distancing of 6 feet is not possible and when visiting all indoor businesses and public facilities. Last updated: [wpautoterms last_updated_date]If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us. 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 It’s about a 10 minute drive from the Lopez ferry terminal and a 5 mile bike ride. All Hosts should review and adhere to these standards around providing a positive Hipcamp experience, being a thoughtful neighbor, and serving as a responsible citizen. 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. There are several areas to camp around the island with firepits, picnic tables and pit toilets. Beach Camping in the United States. 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. An important thing to know about Shaw Island is that while it has regular ferry service, there are no restaurants or gas stations on the island. You can relax on the island and do some hiking or kayaking, or just sit and look at the water and watch for wildlife. San Juan Islands Boat-in Camping Video 2020. We are a private destination resort specializing in providing guests with an authentic San Juan Islands getaway. This campground overlooks Obstruction Pass and the other islands through a lovely forest. Moran State Park is an absolute treasure with enough fun for everyone for many days! On San Juan Island there is also camping! The park faces west bringing you beautiful sunsets and an impressive view to Haro Strait and nearby Vancouver Island in Canada. 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. Ranked by Travel & Leisure as one of the top 10 island destinations in the U.S., the San Juan Islands offer a boater’s consummate playground. If you choose to bike here be aware that Orcas is VERY hilly and the roads are windy without much of a shoulder. Sometimes water is available at some camping areas but it’s a good idea to check and confirm. as well as glamping, cabins, rental RVs and RV sites if you bring an RV. This is our most popular multi-day kayaking tour option. Friday Harbor. 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. Learn about the best of the San Juan Islands' details on everything including accommodations, dining, whale watching and activities. The San Juan Islands offer many opportunities for hiking adventures, including rocky bluffs, mountains, lakes, beaches, vistas and more. You can bring your own kayak, canoe or paddleboard and launch it here too! Along the beach, bring your binoculars to look for orcas splashing in the water. There is also a private campground at Lakedale Resort. Park rangers and people in period costume help bring San Juan Island's history to life. Affordable and even luxurious private RV Parks and public campgrounds can be found throughout the islands. Lopez Island, historically the agricultural island, is relatively flat, open and pastoral, with four County day parks and one County camping park. LEANTO ® Offers the best San Juan Islands glamping in Moran State Park. As COVID-19 continues to impact travel and availability of public lands, please make sure to CHECK and FOLLOW all federal, state, provincial and local closures and public health requirements. The 1846 Treaty of Oregon left the boundary between America and Canada unclear, so San Juan Island was a disputed land for several years. San Juan Island weather click here. © 2021 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved. English Camp sits on one pristine beach. From Friday Harbor head west … Camping in the San Juan Islands is a spectacular experience. Most kayak rental companies in the San Juan Islands want you to or require you to go on a guided trip, and rightfully so. Need ideas for getting outside while social distancing? The San Juan Islands boast some of the best places to camp and recreate in the entire PNW. Reservations are necessary during the busy season and fill up early. There are showers and flush toilets. Go for a sunset paddle. Launch kayaks and boats and explore the coastline, or take the short drive to one of the parks or shoreline trails. Three British warships and 500 U.S. Army troops were ready for war, but cooler heads prevailed. 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. Camping in the San Juan Islands is possible all year, though winter requires a good camping set up for rain. Park activities include camping, boating and four miles of hiking trails. Moon San Juan Islands, 5th Edition (Moon Handbooks) by Don Pitcher. San Juan County Park features 20 campsites, with reservations strongly recommended during the summer months. No problem! Most of areas to camp on shore on the outer islands have pit toilets (bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer to be safe!). It has lovely forest and big views of the surrounding islands and the Cattle Point Lighthouse. While it’s important to be prepared for rain any day of the year, it’s likely to be warm and sunny in July, August and September with day time temperatures in the 70s and sometimes 80s. San Juan Island Camping – Adventures in the Great Outdoors! I prefer to take my kayak and then paddle around near my destination. If you plan to drive to a campground and pitch a tent, you can do that at several Washington State Parks, San Juan County Parks and private campgrounds. … Rosario Resort and multiple other saltwater areas are very close to the park. Nearby Obstruction Pass State Park is MUCH quieter than Moran and does not take reservations for it’s first come first serve campsites. Whether you bring your own or rent on the islands, kayaking the San Juan shorelines is a peaceful event. If you do this you need to be 100% self sufficient, bringing all your own food, water and firewood and everything else you need for camping with you. Best Camping in San Juan Islands on Tripadvisor: Find traveller reviews, candid photos, and prices for 9 camping in San Juan Islands, Washington. At the end of the day, you can relax while your guide prepares delicious, fresh and local, gourmet food and wine. Photo courtesy of San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau. San Juan Islands > RV Camping… Guests have been enjoying camping at West Beach Resort since the 1930s. The only problem was that the British claimed the island as its own. While not technically required, I consider advance reservations for the ferry to be essential since they fill up. 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. Summer Reservations While camping reservations are not required at any of the San Juan County Parks or Fairgrounds RV sites, reservations are strongly recommended during the summer, especially for weekends and any summer dates at San Juan County Park on San Juan Island. English Camp sits on one pristine beach. You can take a water taxi to camp at islands without ferry service (which I highly recommend!). Rain is possible even in summer so make sure to be prepared! To get to the islands without ferry service, you can take a water taxi (discussed below), or take your own sailboat or power boat. 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. I’ve been to other islands (Hawaii) … Odlin County Park is a fantastic beach and campground just over a mile from the ferry terminal. Why San Juan Island? There are no hook ups but RVs are allowed in some sites. This island in Puget Sound was the flashpoint of escalating tensions between the United States and Great Britain. The only campground on Shaw Island is along the beautiful sandy beach of Shaw County Park. The beach is pebbled with driftwood and is a wonderful place to spend some time. Are you planning on camping in san juan island, Washington? Try San Juan Islands camping on your next vacation. Bike camping is a fantastic way to camp in the San Juan Islands, especially if you didn’t plan ahead and don’t have a reservation. There are 5 lakes in the park that more than make up for it (and are a lot warmer for swimming). Reservations are necessary for camping in the San Juan Islands from Spring through Fall. There are many more remote islands to explore throughout the San Juans, you can study the map and find your own favorite! 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. 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. West Beach Resort Cabins, RV, and Camping on Orcas Island West Beach Resort is located on the sunny and pristine west side of Orcas Island, Washington. Take in the beauty of the San Juan National forest as you hike portions of the Colorado Trail from Kroeger Campground. There are no showers in this park. There are bike trails, horse trails and almost 40 miles of hiking trails. Jones Island is a small island between San Juan Island and Orcas Island with a wonderful 4 mile trail that loops around half the island. San Juan lsland. There are also boat rentals available between Memorial Day and Labor Day and fishing in Cascade Lake. Best Camping in San Juan Islands on Tripadvisor: Find traveller reviews, candid photos, and prices for 9 camping in San Juan Islands, Washington. The Americans and British agreed to jointly patrol the island and conduct military exercises until their governments decided on a border. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. San Juan, Odlin, and Shaw Island County Parks are designated campsites along the Cascadia Marine Trail for small, beachable human- or wind-powered boats. If you are driving here you will need a reservation. The park is about a 20 minute drive from the Friday Harbor ferry terminal. All Hipcampers should review and adhere to these standards for safety, trip preparation, and respect in order to uphold Hipcamp’s most important value: “leave it better.”. San Juan County Park is open year round and accepts reservations April 1 – October 1. You can take a water taxi, such as Island Express from Anacortes and they will drop you off on one of the other islands and then pick you up again. You can also rent a kayak or stand up paddleboard here, or bring your own! For more information on the Trail, visit the Washington Water Trails Association website. To make the most unforgettable experience, consider a stay at one of these fabulous hotels and resorts. Real-time Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watch Warnings help keep our community safe. Best Camping in San Juan Islands on Tripadvisor: Find traveller reviews, candid photos, and prices for 9 camping in San Juan Islands, Washington. Find places to camp and glamp on Lopez, San Juan, Shaw Island and Orcas Island. You should also get a reservation for the ferry, as the ferries fill up! That's what almost, kinda-sorta happened at San Juan Island in 1859. The Americans and British agreed to jointly patrol the island and conduct military exercises until their governments decided on. Activate 4WD for this one, folks! Information on San Juan Islands Camping, Campsites & Camp Grounds. Frommer's Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and San Juan Islands by Chris McBeath. Accommodations range from a wide variety of lodging options: luxurious modern homes, historic hotel and quaint cottages. San Juan Island Camping Reservations. San Juan National Forest. The three largest islands are geographically unique: Orcas being the hilliest (The tallest peak is Mount Constitution at almost exactly a half-mile elevation. The respective commanders on both sides kept the situation calm. Learn more, I would like to sign up to receive email updates from Hipcamp, Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future. These are some of the best places to park your RV for a San Juan Island camping trip. The San Juan Islands are one of those iconic Northwest paddling destinations I am lucky to say I have explored a number of times. 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. ), Lopez the flattest and best for easy cycling and San Juan Island is a combination of both. Spring and fall are mild and rainy with some sunny days. San Juan Island does not have a Washington State park campground and in fact doesn’t have much camping at all. Camping for RVs is an option at the San Juan County Fairgrounds. Despite it’s lack of ferry service, Sucia Island is quite popular with recreational boaters and parts of the island get very busy! 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. You can also bring your kayak with you on the water taxi if you want to kayak around once you get there but don’t want to do an open water crossing. The hike is beautiful with sweeping views, magnolia trees, forest and meadows. San Juan Islands Camping, Orcas Island, Friday Harbor. Islanders still wave at each passing car, and if you are attentive you’ll discover that each driver has a distinct wave, some favoring the “index-finger move up,” others an enthusiastic handful. If you bring a car here, you will want a reservation. Even on this relatively large island, you’re never far from the ocean! The only public campground on San Juan Island is San Juan County Park. An American farmer on the island shot and killed a pig. . Park rangers and people in period costume help bring San Juan Island's history to life. It also has a dump station, flushing toilets and showers. 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. Hi! They don’t turn bikers away so if you don’t have a reservation, ditch the car and bike! 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. 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). This is another place you can bike to (it’s uphill but I just walk my bike up the steep bit). Your Explorer Chick Guide will be easy to find in her Explorer Chick apparel. 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. Experience the famous west side where you will have views of Haro Strait, Vancouver Island, the Olympic Peninsula, and maybe even some orca whales. Moran State Park has ADA accessible showers and restrooms. The San Juan Islands are located north of Seattle, about 90 miles, north of the Strait of Juan DeFuca, west of Rosario Strait, east of Haro Strait and south of Boundary Pass. One of the premier places to camp in Washington, Lakedale offers the best of camping with all the benefits of a resort. Lime Kiln Point State Park, just south of San Juan County Park, is the best place for viewing orcas from shore. The best opportunity to see Orcas is from June to September when they forage on salmon in the area’s waters. 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. Choose a site that is open and sunny, private and shady, or a mixture of both. Spencer Spit has ADA accessible campsites and restrooms. We paddle from San Juan Island to small islands in the San Juan Archipelago where we set up camp and hike to scenic vistas. Reservations are necessary as this campground is usually full in the summer. Camping at San Juan County Parks during COVID-19 All Campgrounds • Per Governor Inslee’s WA statewide mandate as of June 26, campers are mandated to wear face coverings at all times when outdoors in public areas (e.g. Cypress is a big island and is quite close to Anacortes, making it a shorter water taxi ride. Roche Harbor is a historic seaside resort located on San Juan Island, Washington. The San Juan Islands are the homeland of the Lummi, S’Klallam, Samish, WSANEC, Songhees and other Coast Salish people. 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. Insider tips from local expert authors including detailed maps, exact prices, directions, opening hours, and reviews of hotels and restaurants, plus sights, shopping, and nightlife, itineraries, walking tours, and … In addition to four lakeside campgrounds with over 100 campsites, there are so many other things to do. Are you planning on camping in san juan island, Washington? Overhead flies the Union Jack to mark the point where the British Royal Marines maintained a presence on the island. There are so many GREAT reasons to vacation here with your family. If camping is roughing it…then Lakedale is camping minus the rough. Of course, we’re biased, but we think Lakedale is a pretty amazing place to camp. Visit our Lodging and Vacation Rental pages for other great places to stay on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands. Cypress Island is one of the wildest and unpopulated large islands due to the fact there is no ferry access and most of the Island is Department of Natural Resources, DNR land. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 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. RV Parks Near Me Top Searched ... Best State Park Camping – 2019 Campers Choice Awards The Best State Park Campgrounds in Each State. Spend the day there between June and September, and you are very likely to spot an orca. Searchable listings of San Juan Islands hotels, motels, resorts, bed & breakfast, and more. Lopez Island is the flattest island and therefore the easiest to bike on. Because of the rain shadow effect from the Olympic Mountains San Juan Island has only 17 – 20 inches of rain per year. Cypress Island is a wonderful place for hikers! If you really want to get away from it all, I highly recommend camping on one of the remote San Juan Islands without ferry service. Enjoy the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest in the San Juan Islands of Washington State. The campgrounds on remote islands without ferry service don’t take reservations, but finding a campsite on these islands is usually no problem. Three days offer the perfect amount of time to explore the islands and spend time … Moran State Park. 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. There is a dock on one end that is usually full with boaters, but the campground usually isn’t busy. 250 days of sunshine. Lopez is a wonderful place to bike camp as I talked about earlier in the post and also the best island to bike on, in my opinion. You can check out the spectacular view from Mt Constitution, or swim in one of the lakes. If you are taking a water taxi, make sure to reserve and book that ahead of time as well. If camping is roughing it…then Lakedale is camping minus the rough. I looked at camping options on Orcas Island and the only options I could find were campgrounds at Moran State Park or reserved cabins. Best Camping in San Juan Islands on Tripadvisor: Find traveller reviews, candid photos, and prices for 9 camping in San Juan Islands, Washington. You could even walk here from the ferry if you have your gear organized to carry like you were backpacking. The three largest islands are geographically unique: Orcas being the hilliest (The tallest peak is Mount Constitution at almost exactly a half-mile elevation. There are just 11 sites and they are too small for RVs. Searchable listings of San Juan Islands RV parks and campgrounds. The sunsets here are wonderful! 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! 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). San Juan Islands Camping: Campendium has reviews of 0 Campgrounds in San Juan Islands. Read more here about my complete guide to bike camping on Lopez Island. Details on this are found below in the remote islands section. The Top Outdoor Activities in the San Juan Islands 1. . This requires crossings of multiple shipping lanes and sometimes big waves! While there are several choices we stayed on San Juan Island (with the County seat of Friday Harbor). San Juan Island is the most populated of the San Juan Islands, though it is not the largest (Orcas is larger). Maybe we are prejudice, but we think, San Juan Island is the best of the best islands. At Kroeger Campground in La Plata Canyon, the steep dropoffs will leave you breathless. We integrate with the National Weather Service to provide valuable fire advisories to Hosts and Hipcampers. Steeped in rich history and surrounded by lush gardens, the village is a short drive from nearby Friday Harbor. If you’re up for a challenge, hike Moran State Park’s 6.7-mile long Mount Constitution Loop trail. San Juan Island is a natural place to begin your introduction to the archipelago. Small towns are nearby in case you need supplies for your getaway. When you plan your trip to the San Juan Islands, it’s important to consider which island(s) you want to visit. To ( it ’ s totally worth it for this unique camping!... 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