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  • San Juan Island, Washington

    Top Spots in and near San Juan Island

    • Friday Harbor, Washington

      Hike Mount Grant on San Juan Island

      2 mi / 500 ft gain
      Mount Grant Preserve is still in the midst of becoming an official park, but is open to the public for hiking, so you will get to see this amazing spot before it's too crowded. With a trial system currently being made, most people hike up the established road, but there are well marked signs to h...
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    • Friday Harbor, Washington

      Kayak the San Juan Islands (Johns, Stuart, and Henry)

      5.0
      The San Juan Islands are one of the most stunning places you could go for a paddle. If you can go for a 3-5 day (or even longer) expedition you will get the most out of it.Start off in Friday Harbour, and get dropped off at one of the launching beaches. Many expedition operators work in Friday Ha...
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    • Friday Harbor, Washington

      Kayak Camp on Jones Island

      2.0
      The San Juan Islands are a gorgeous collection of islands situated 90 miles from Seattle. While most people enjoy the island at B&Bs, and join one of the dozen whale watching tours, the hands down best way to see the islands is by kayaking.Jones Island is a great place to set as your initial ...
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    • Friday Harbor, Washington

      Hike to Young Hill

      4.0
      1.2 mi / 650 ft gain
      From the main parking lot at English camp, follow the wide path east and cross West Valley road to the trailhead of Young Hill. The trail switchbacks several times and leads you past the English Camp cemetery. Continue left on the main trail through the forest of Pacific Madrone trees until you r...
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    • San Juan County, Washington

      Kayak Camp on Posey Island

      A tiny gem within the San Juan Islands, Posey Island is a perfect kayak camping spot for novices, experts, and everyone in between. While the Island only has 2 campsites, each can be reserved ahead of time if you are going May 15th - September 30th. Reservations open each year starting Jan 2nd @ ...
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    • Friday Harbor, Washington

      Hike through the American Camp

      3 mi
      For what was once a highly contested and disputed piece of land in the Pacific Ocean, now lays home to one of the most peaceful, tranquil, and historic hikes in the island chain. Start the hike at the parking lot of the San Juan Island National Historic Site American Camp Visitor Center. Proceed ...
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    • Lopez Island, Washington

      Hike to Spencer Spit

      5.0
      1.75 mi / 60 ft gain
      It's just a short walk to the beach on this protruding point in Lopez Sound, and all downhill. Immediately upon leaving the trailhead, you come to a junction. Turn right and make a beeline straight for the picnic area at the base of the Spit.Time to explore the Spit. If the tide is high, stick to...
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    • Friday Harbor, Washington

      Hike to Lovers Leap on Stuart Island

      5 mi / 200 ft gain
      This hike is only doable if you are already on Stuart Island! There is no public transportation to Stuart Island, so you must already be there or have a plan to be there in order to complete this hike.I frequent this island during the summer months and it is one of my favorites. I always stay in ...
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    • Friday Harbor, Washington

      Kayak Camp on Stuart Island

      5.0
      The northwestern-most point of the San Juan Islands, Stuart Island, is arguably the most gorgeous island to circumnavigate. Unfortunately, as Stuart Island is 16 miles away from the closest ferry port, there is no simple way to get there in one day. A couple of options to get there include:1) Onc...
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    • Eastsound, Washington

      Go Whale Watching from Rosario Harbor

      No visit to the San Juan Islands is complete without taking a whale watching tour and Rosario Harbor on Orcas Island is uniquely situation to allow for trips east into the Rosario Straight, south into Lopez Sound, or west into the Haro Straight. Such flexibility is useful when on the looking for ...
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    • Olga, Washington

      Camp at Obstruction Pass State Park

      5.0
      The nine primitive campsites and one Cascadia Marine Trail campsite of Obstruction Pass State Park are the only first come, first serve campsites available on Orcas Island. The campsites themselves overlook a fantastic (and accessible beach) and Obstruction Pass itself. There are four composting ...
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    • Olga, Washington

      Hike the Highlands Trail

      1.5 mi / 200 ft gain
      Obstruction Pass State Park is something of a hidden gem on Orcas Island given that its nearby neighbor, Moran State Park, gets most of the tourist attention. What this means is that you can find solitude and quiet, *and* make a visit to the only publicly owned beach on the island. There are seve...
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    • Olga, Washington

      Hike the Sound View Trail

      0.4 mi / 50 ft gain
      Obstruction Pass State Park is something of a hidden gem on Orcas Island given that its nearby neighbor, Moran State Park, gets most of the tourist attention. What this means is that you can find solitude and quiet, *and* make a visit to the only publicly owned beach on the island. There are seve...
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    • Blakely Island, Washington

      Boat Camp at Blakely Island

      From Washington Park in Anacortes, Washington we launched our 19' Beachcraft with a deep hull into Puget Sound on a beautiful blue sky morning. The weather and water was favorable for an overnight adventure to Blakely Island! We made our way across Rosario Straight and toward James Island (20 mi...
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    • Moran State Park, Washington

      Camp at Moran State Park

      Moran State Park is an true gem within the beautiful San Juan Islands. The park takes up a large portion of the East side of Orcas Island, the largest of all the San Juans. There are multiple campgrounds within the park along the shores of Cascade Lake and Mountain Lake. For the most relaxing exp...
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    • Eastsound, Washington

      Kayaking at Point Doughty State Park

      The easiest way to explore this area is through Outer Island Excursions, which offers a 3-hour kayaking tour from Smuggler’s Villa Resort on Orcas Island (they also offer various tours of the surrounding islands).The tour begins with a paddle down the North Shore of Orcas Island to Point Doughty ...
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    Camping and Lodging in San Juan Island

    Olympic Peninsula / Port Angeles KOA Journey
    Port Angeles, Washington

    Olympic Peninsula / Port Angeles KOA Journey

    Burlington / Anacortes KOA Holiday
    Burlington, Washington

    Burlington / Anacortes KOA Holiday

    Getaway Skagit Valley
    Mount Vernon, Washington

    Getaway Skagit Valley

    From $129 / night

    Lynden / Bellingham KOA Journey
    Lynden, Washington

    Lynden / Bellingham KOA Journey

    Log Cabin Resort
    Port Angeles, Washington

    Log Cabin Resort

    From $148 / night

    Guides, Insights and Stories from San Juan Island

    5 Fall Hikes in Whatcom County

    5 Fall Hikes in Whatcom County

    Beau Gaughran

    Olympic National Park's 10 Best Hikes

    Olympic National Park's 10 Best Hikes

    The Outbound Collective

    10 Breathtaking Photography Locations Near Vancouver, BC

    10 Breathtaking Photography Locations Near Vancouver, BC

    Aaron Hagen

    Danner Boots Mountain 600 Weatherized Review

    Danner Boots Mountain 600 Weatherized Review

    Joseph Gulizia

    10 Hidden Gems Near Vancouver

    10 Hidden Gems Near Vancouver

    Tara Stamnes