Fun stop to breakup the drive Free activity Enjoy A little…read morestretch and enjoy the fresh air

We thought this place was going to be cheesy and dumb. But we were MISTAKEN, it was cool. You can…read morepick trails, you can walk it all, you can find birds, you can sit and talk, you have tons of photo ops. We loved it!!! We walked and talked. Enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Came here while on vacation and we had so much fun! The walk was so nice and cool for July. A bit…read moreof a hike but totally worth it. The place is well maintained as people seem to care for the area while visiting and keeps it clean. People stay on the trail too. Does seem like people wander the area for walking and very light hiking, but they don't stick around long. Seems like a fun area.

Talk about an unexpected, slightly creepy, yet cool find!…read more On the list of things to do on San Juan Island was this spot, and it seemed intriguing, so the bff and I decided to make the drive on over to check it out. Parking was easy at the adjacent gravel lot on the perimeter of Roche Harbor airport. The ~1 mile dirt path takes you through a few family grave sites, and there are ample signs leading to the mausoleum itself. When you get to the mausoleum, expect to be wowed by how well-kept the structure is despite being so isolated. It was a bone-chilling experience to see how John S. McMillin decided to preserve his family's memory. Note that there is only a portal potty on site. It's not exactly wheelchair friendly, either. Definitely take a visit!

The King Sisters Preserve trail entrance is located on the Wold Road side of the intersection…read morebetween San Juan Valley Road, Wold Road, and Boyce Road. There is a small parking area along Boyce Road across the street from the main trail entrance and sign on Wold Road. My car was the only car there when I arrived and when I left. I encountered just one other group while exploring the trail on Friday the 22nd of May 2020. The trail is an out and back one with a small loop that looks out over the farmland. The out-and-back portion of the trail had lots of small birds flitting around and was lined with tall grasses/shrubbery and flowers (I recommend taking allergy medicine if you have grass and/or pollen allergies). The loop portion of the trail has both rocky and tree-y portions with views of the farmland and surroundings. The trail is well-maintained and flat, which is nice if strengthening your knee after an injury. Enjoy the scenery, plants, and wildlife as you walk!

There are really no words to describe how amazing it is to live a mere half-hour boat ride from…read morethis tiny little island state park where you can drop an anchor in its secluded harbor, find a waterfront campsite, and spend the weekend patting yourself on the back for how damn lucky you are to live here. Patos is one of the smaller of the public islands in the San Juans, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in stunning sunsets and beautiful, easy-to-access beaches full of driftwood and tide pools. The level path around the island can be easily walked in well under an hour, and there's a quaint, historic lighthouse you can tour when it's open on weekends. There are even pit toilets in a couple of spots around the island, and each campsite features a picnic table and fire ring for the low-low price of $12/night. What the island doesn't have is running water of any kind, so be sure to come prepared.

One of my favorite camping islands in the San Juans…read more The main camping area is located at the west end of the island near the cove between Patos island and Little Patos island. At the east end of the island there are a couple of small coves that you can anchor in, but there are no campsites on the east end of the island. I have been coming to Patos Island for over 20 years, and it has changed very little in that time. Sure they have installed new vault toilets that are much nicer than the old ones, and the old dock that was quite unstable has been torn down. The old military barracks that were out by the lighthouse have been removed, and the lighthouse has been opened up for tours now. Besides that the camp sites and general feel of the island is the same. The only way to get to this island is by boat, there are no houses (besides the lighthouse) on the island, no roads, no cars, and no running water. This island has quite a history, much of that is covered in a book called The Light On The Island which is an great read if you are visiting the island. The book was written in the 1950's by the daughter of the lighthouse keeper who lived there from 1905 to 1930. The harbor between Patos island and Little Patos can be a challenge to anchor in (I haven't had a problem but I have seen others have trouble). There are 2 buoys that you can pay a fee to tie up to, or you can drop your own anchor. As the tide comes and goes, the current can get quite strong closer to beach area by the campsites. On more than one occasion I have seen someone anchor close to the beach with a rope running to shore tied to a tree or log. Not such a good idea because people who do that usually end up with their boat on the beach when the tide goes out. The harbor is very shallow at low tide, 4 to 5 feet deep in many areas, but as you get out towards the anchoring buoys it gets deeper. From the campground you can see a variety of wildlife, some amazing eagles, or annoying wasps and yellow jackets. One night while camping we awoke to Orcas splashing in the water right next to the campsite. You may occasionally spot a river otter in the bay, or porpoise off shore. Be sure to take the short walk to the lighthouse, it can be amazing at sunset. As you approach the lighthouse in the large grassy field, you may notice some cement footings from old buildings, the ones right near the cement Patos Island sign are the footings from the original lighthouse keepers house which burnt down years ago. Any cement footings at the edge of the grassy field by the trees are of the old military barracks that where on the island. Scuba diving is amazing along the south side of the island, with amazing sea life to be seen. Beware of the currents, it can get a bit strong, but if you are up for a drift dive with a live boat, it can be an amazing ride. Keep in mind that there is no running water on the island so you need to bring fresh water with you. The closest place to refill if you need more water is on Sucia island.

Crescent Beach is one of two public beaches on Orcas Island. This is not your typical beach. The…read morebeach is very rocky and mossy, which makes it not suitable for sitting. My husband and I saw lots of people kayaking from this beach since there are no waves. We also saw lots of ducks, geese, and seagulls walking along the shore. The beach also includes a nice trail that goes inland. It is a nice, not crowded trail which makes it perfect for walking or running. You are also able to park right next to the trailhead if you do not park at the beach. Very beautiful. Perfect place to sit and watch the wildlife, go for a walk/run, and enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Crescent Beach Preserve has both beach and wetland trails to explore. I walked along the beach to…read moreone end of the preserve, then partway to the other end of the preserve. I saw crows, seagulls, and Canadian Geese as well as what looked like some beautiful sandstone sea cliffs from afar. I appreciate that collection from the beach is not allowed, it was incredible to see so many purple shells along the shore. Lovely place to go for a walk even on a windy day. The parking lots along Crescent Beach Road overlook the beach, making them scenic places to sit and watch the water and wildlife while staying in your vehicle.

What can I say that I haven't said? Great question. This place is always and will always be our…read moreplace to go visit. Watching the sunset is amazing. It's just a great place to go unwind, relax and enjoy the view. This place is breathtaking all of the time. We went here tonight to enjoy an adult beverage and relax.

I made a short exploring stop at the Westside Preserve on Friday the 22nd of May 2020. The preserve…read moreis located along the water and Westside Road and provides some spectacular views of the Haro Strait. Signage along the road marks the edge of the preserve. Additional signs by the parking lots provide background information, rules, and trail maps. It is a bit of a windy place, so make sure to dress accordingly. There are also few trees, which is nice if you want to soak in the sunlight. A number of people were there when I stopped (around 12:30 p.m.) sitting in various places and watching the water. I ventured along part of the trail system taking in the different views, plants, and wildlife. Lots of space on the rocks overlooking the water to sit and rest and/or have a picnic.

The Limekiln Preserve neighbors Limekiln Point State Park and Deadman Bay Preserve. It is north of…read moreDeadman Bay Preserve and north/northeast/east of the state park. Signage with 'Limekiln Preserve' on them mark the boundaries on West Side Road to the north and the south. I parked at the parking area furthest north in the preserve that is located on West Side Road across the road from Westside Lake. There are a number of different trails to explore that take you to different places. I ventured along the Quarry Trail, the North Trail, and Coghlan's Trail. These trails take you past some of the former quarry and limekiln sites. Impressive how big the quarry had expanded by the time it ceased its operations in the 1950s after about 100 years of operating. Rock faces are steep and unstable in places, so make sure to stay on the trails and heed the warning signs. I enjoyed that the trails take one past the quarry sites as it let me try and work through what things would have looked like and how they may have operated in the past. I encountered one boundary with the Limekiln Point State Park and found it to be clearly marked where one passes from state park to Limekiln Preserve. I got a little lost on the trails, but referred to the print-out I brought from the website and a picture I took of the map of the trails and found my way again. The Flicker Trail also was enticing and takes you alongside Westside Lake. Decided to save the Flicker Trail for a different time though, good to keep some places unexplored and in reserves for a next visit.

The best time to come is during midweek before it starts getting busy…read more We came with a group of four for our first San Juan /shrimping expedition. Our campsite was right along the edge next to the beach, it overlooked the whole bay. You'll need to get there early in order to dock your boat. We beached it on nights two and three because it got so crowded. Fire pits for your campfires and plenty of firewood from the forest and drift wood from the beach. Lots of seashells, but not many starfish or marine life. An occasional seal or sea otter swimming around. Lots of birds, eagles, a goldfinch, and a pileated woodpecker. The bathrooms were great, compostable toilets, nice tile floors, and windows to look out from. Nice and clean. A ranger even stopped by to clean them while we were there for four days. It's a short hike from the bay to raccoon island campground. Loved the campground, would highly recommend to come during the week !

I'll admit it, I was flattered when the State of Washington approached about naming their next park…read moreafter me. Humbled, I declined their generous proposition. Well, apparently they found an alternative Jones after which to name their island. Reachable only by watercraft, Jones is a true gem of the beautiful San Juans. I've been there twice now for day trips, but I'd love to set up camp there for a week or more of sheer PNW bliss. This rustic isle features tent sites and even some pre-built shelters in case you forgot to stop at REI on the way. There are pit toilets and trails as well. And the views across beaches and waterways...well they're just magical. If I ever actually buy a boat, Jones will be my first stop. Even if it's not technically named after me.