We recently stayed at San Juan County Park Campground in early May and were NOT disappointed. The park is only a short 20-minute or so drive from Friday Harbor after you get off the ferry from Anacortes, so we were at our campsite in no time after a ferry ride that even included a brief glimpse of some Orcas shortly after we left the Lopez Island stop (thanks to the indicator species…Whale Watching boats!). The campground itself is located on the west side of San Juan Island. The park offers stunning water views across an open meadow surrounded by trees.
The park is a popular spot for kayakers, with a launch and parking area available for visitors, and although we have done a kayak tour from here in the past, we did not on this trip. However, We saw several kayakers camping at the park during our stay. It was a very easy place to launch your kayak from with easy access to the water via Small Pox Bay. the campground is also a very short drive to Lime Kiln State Park, where there is no camping, but of course, it is famous for the chance to view Orcas from the shore and, of course, its lighthouse.
San Juan County Campground is also a 25-minute drive from San Juan Island National Historic Park. This was our primary reason for this trip, as it’s a great time of year to view the island’s foxes! We did not go home disappointed at all in this category!
Welcome to Friday Harbor!San Juan County Park Campground MapSan Juan County Park Welcome Sign to the CampgroundFriday HarborView from one of the hiking trails along the water at San Juan County Park
San Juan County Park Campground provides 26 campsites with water, flush toilets, and a small picnic shelter available for campers.
Making reservations at San Juan County Park Campground is easy and convenient. Individual campsites can be reserved online through the park’s website. The online reservation system opens on March 6th at 9:00 AM PST for the 2024 season. San Juan County residents can reserve campsites from February 28th at 6:00 AM PST through March 4th at 4:00 PM PST. The campground is open from May 1st through September 30th.
San Juan County Park Campground offers a variety of camping options, including tent camping, RV camping, and group camping. The park amenities include water, flush toilets, and a small picnic shelter. The park is also home to rocky bluffs, gravel beaches, and beautiful meadows. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking, and wildlife watching.
Key Takeaways
- San Juan County Park Campground offers 35 campsites with water, flush toilets, and a small picnic shelter available for campers.
- Reservations can be made online through the park’s website, and the campground is open from May 1st through September 30th.
- Visitors can enjoy a range of activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking, and wildlife watching.
How to Reserve a Spot at San Juan County Park Campground
If you’re planning to stay at San Juan County Park campground, it’s important to make a reservation in advance to ensure you have a spot. Here’s what you need to know about making reservations:
Reservation System
San Juan County Park manages its campsites using an online reservation system. The system is easy to use and allows you to make reservations up to nine months in advance. It also lets you see which sites are available for the dates you want to visit.
Online Reservations
To make an online reservation, visit the San Juan County Parks Camping Reservation system. You’ll need to create an account and provide basic information, such as your name and contact information. Once logged in, you can search for available campsites and make a reservation.
First-Come, First-Serve Policy
While reservations are strongly recommended, San Juan County Park also operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. This means that if you arrive at the park without a reservation, you may be able to snag a spot if any are available. Keep in mind, however, that during peak season (May – September), the park is often fully booked, so it’s best to make a reservation if you can.
Cancellation Policies
If you need to cancel your reservation, you can do so online or by calling the park office, but hopefully, you don’t have to, as there may be a cancellation fee, and some cancellations may not be eligible for a refund. Additionally, the park allows for partial cancellations, meaning you can cancel some of your reserved days without canceling the entire reservation.
Overview of San Juan County Park Campground
San Juan County Park is the perfect place if you’re looking for a friendly and scenic camping experience. This beautiful 12-acre campground is located on the west side of San Juan Island, offering stunning views of Haro Strait and Vancouver Island. Here’s what you can expect from your stay at San Juan County Park:
Campsites
San Juan County Park offers 26 campsites for tents and RVs, all with water views. The campsites are spacious and well-maintained, with picnic tables and fire pits. The campground is pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friend along. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer, as this is a popular destination.
Amenities
San Juan County Park offers a range of amenities to make your stay comfortable. The campground has clean restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers. There’s a dump station for RVs, and potable water is available throughout the campground. The park also has a boat launch and parking area for kayakers, making it a popular spot for water activities.
Natural Surroundings
San Juan County Park is surrounded by natural beauty, with rocky bluffs and gravel beaches overlooking Haro Strait. You can enjoy stunning sunsets and watch the wildlife, including bald eagles and seals. The park is also close to hiking trails and other outdoor activities, making it a great base for exploring the island.
Camping Options at San Juan County Park Campground
View from our site: Down the hill to view the other sites, as well as the biker/kayaker/hiker sites. These sites have some of the best views in the whole campground!
Individual Campsites
San Juan County Park Campground offers 35 individual campsites suitable for small campers and tents, including our Camper Van! These sites are located near the water, offering a beautiful view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island. Something to keep in mind, however, is that the park campground itself is sloped quite a bit.
We noticed it was hard for those in tents to find level ground to set up, so we used our leveling blocks the first night before we moved our picnic table a bit and had better luck getting our van level. There are also several sites closer to the water and the day-use area that is reserved for human-powered campers (bikes and kayakers), and these sites have amazing views! Each site at the park has a picnic table and fire pit, and the campground has restrooms.
Group Camping
If you’re planning a camping trip with a group, San Juan County Park Campground has two group campsites available. These sites can accommodate up to 20 people and are perfect for families or groups of friends who want to stay together. Each group site has a fire pit and picnic tables, and the campground has restrooms and showers available for campers.
RV Camping
View of the front of the bathroom looking back up the hill towards the rest of the campground. The bathroom area is also where you can find a garbage dumpster as well as recycling. A potable water spigot is also right behind the sign in this shot.
San Juan County Park Campground also has limited RV sites for those who prefer to camp with RVs. These sites can accommodate RVs up to 25 feet in length. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit, and the campground has restrooms and showers available for campers.
Facilities at San Juan County Park Campground
Picnic shelter with amazing view.Apparently they built a temporary set for the movie “Practical Magic” here at the campground…who knew!
When you visit San Juan County Park Campground, you will find a range of facilities to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Here are some of the facilities you can expect to find:
Picnic Areas
The park has several picnic areas perfect for enjoying a meal with family and friends. There are picnic tables and a small picnic shelter where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful water views. Whether you’re looking for a place to enjoy lunch or a spot to have a barbecue, the picnic areas at San Juan County Park Campground are a great option.
Sanitary Facilities
The park has flush toilets that are cleaned regularly to ensure they are always in good condition. You can also find showers and sinks to help you stay clean and refreshed during your stay. The sanitary facilities are conveniently located throughout the campground, so you won’t have to go far to find them.
Boat Launch
If you’re planning to go boating during your stay at San Juan County Park Campground, you’ll be pleased to know that the park has a boat launch. The boat launch provides easy access to the water, so you can get your boat in and out quickly and easily. Whether fishing, kayaking, or cruising around, the boat launch is a great park feature.
Planning Your Visit to San Juan County Park Campground
When planning your visit to San Juan County Park Campground, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Check-In and Registration
Upon arrival, you must check in and register at the park office. Registering promptly to secure your campsite and avoid any issues with your reservation is important. If you have made a camping reservation, bring a copy of your confirmation email or reservation number to make the check-in process faster.
Transportation
Getting to San Juan Island
Getting to San Juan Island is a breeze, with multiple options available for transportation. The most popular way to reach the island is by taking a ferry from Anacortes, Washington. The Washington State Ferries offer daily departures to the island, with multiple sailings throughout the day.
To ensure that you can get on the ferry at your preferred time, it is recommended that you make a vehicle reservation in advance. You can do this by visiting the Washington State Ferries website or calling their call center at 1-888-808-7977.
Once you arrive on San Juan Island, you can easily reach San Juan County Park by taxi or transit. Several companies offer transportation services on the island, so you’ll have no trouble finding a ride to the campground.
Navigating the Ferries
Navigating the ferries can initially seem daunting, but it’s quite simple.
When you arrive at the ferry terminal in Anacortes, you’ll need to purchase a ticket for your vehicle and any passengers. While you can wait until you get to the terminal to get a ticket if you’re walking on or riding a bike, bringing your car is a much different story. Recommendations are HIGHLY recommended here unless you want to wait on standby, which has no guarantees that you’ll make the ferry. So, do yourself a favor and reduce the stress of getting to the Islands by making a reservation.
You can pay with cash or a credit card. The ticket booth is open 24 hours a day.
After you’ve purchased your ticket, you’ll need to wait in line to board the ferry. The line can be long during peak season, so it’s recommended that you arrive at least an hour before your scheduled departure time.
Once on the ferry, you can relax and enjoy the scenic views of the Salish Sea.
The ferry ride takes approximately an hour, and restrooms and food options are available.
Nearby Attractions to San Juan County Park Campground
San Juan County Park Campground is located on the coast of Haro Strait, offering great views of the Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island.
The campground is also very close to San Juan Island National Historical Park—both American and English Camp—and sits about halfway between them. You can get to either of them in about 20-30 minutes by car; however, for this particular trip, we chose American Camp exclusively as we were on the Island for primarily one attraction—FOXES!!!
One of the MANY Foxes we were able to photograph and enjoy during our trip to San Juan Island. Almost all of our viewing opportunities came down at American Camp, but some we also saw along the road just up the hill from Lime Kiln State Park.
Lime Kiln State Park is less than 10 minutes away by car and offers several hiking trails, picnic tables, a lighthouse, and, of course…the chance to see Orcas in Haro Straight right off the shoreline! We missed out on a pod of Orcas going by as we headed back to our campsite from American camp and viewing the foxes.
Although we were disappointed not to have seen them go by, as it’s something we’ve always wanted to see from Lime Kiln, we tried to remind ourselves that we had come on this trip specifically for the foxes. That helped a little bit…but it sure would have been great to see them! The very reliable fox viewing, of course, did help, and we even got to see some young ones that we’re guessing are the babies, although even they looked big from afar through the binoculars and zoom lens of our camera.
Saw this poor fox right after a rainstorm on the island. Although all the rain didn’t seem to bother them!Surveying territory in the prairie area of American CampSame territory as the black fox…we suspect they’re a pair.
In addition to the area’s natural beauty, several nearby attractions are worth exploring during your stay.
Nearby Islands
If you’re interested in exploring the surrounding area, several nearby islands are worth a visit.
Lopez Island is just a short ferry ride away and is known for its scenic beauty and laid-back atmosphere.
Shaw Island is another nearby island popular with visitors. It offers hiking trails and scenic views of the surrounding area.
Last but not least, there is also Orcas Island, home to, among other things, Moran State Park Campground.
County Fairgrounds
https://www.sjcfair.org/If you’re looking for something to do closer to the campground, the San Juan County Fairgrounds is just a short drive away. Bonus – there is also VERY limited camping available here with 8 RV sites that offer full hookups, including water, sewer, and electrical connections.
The fairgrounds host various events throughout the year, including the annual San Juan County Fair.
If you’re interested in attending an event at the fairgrounds, you can look into the previously mentioned RV sites available for rent. These sites make it easy to stay close to the action. Just make sure to book well in advance if you plan to do this.
The sites are also conveniently located near the fairgrounds, making attending events easy and enjoying the area’s many attractions.
Additional Information
San Juan County Park Campground Map
Important Dates
If you’re planning a trip to San Juan County Park Campground, it’s important to note that the maximum stay at individual and group campsites is 14 days within a 30-day period.
The San Juan County website provides a designated date for you to begin the reservation process at 12:00 a.m. PST. You must pay a reservation fee to secure your spot.
Weather and Climate
San Juan County Park is located on the west side of San Juan Island and offers stunning views of the Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island.
The weather in the San Juan Islands is generally mild, with average temperatures ranging from the low 50s to the low 70s Fahrenheit.
However, it’s important to note that the weather can be unpredictable, so bringing layers and rain gear is a good idea.
Local Services
Several local services are available if you need to stock up on supplies during your stay at San Juan County Park but keep in mind that most of them are in Friday Harbor (where the ferry lets you off).
Friday Harbor has a variety of grocery stores, restaurants, and shops. There is also a gas station and a pharmacy.
Additionally, several outdoor recreation companies offer kayak and bike rentals and guided tours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make a reservation at San Juan County Park Campground?
You can make a reservation at San Juan County Park Campground by visiting the San Juan County Parks Camping Reservation system.
The reservation system allows you to select your desired dates, choose your campsite, and pay for your reservation online.
You can also make a reservation by calling the Washington State Ferries call center at 1-888-808-7977 or 206-464-6400 if you are outside Washington.
Where can I find a map of the San Juan County Park Campground campsites?
The San Juan County Parks website has a map of the San Juan County Park Campground campsites.
The map shows each campsite’s location, the amenities available at each site, and its proximity to the water.
What are the camping rates for staying at San Juan County Park Campground?
The camping rates for staying at San Juan County Park Campground vary depending on the time of year and the type of campsite you choose.
The rates range from $17 to $45 per night. The San Juan County Parks website has the current rates.
Are any photos available to view the San Juan County Park Campground before visiting?
Yes, photos are available to view the San Juan County Park Campground before visiting.
You can find photos of the campsites, the beach, and the surrounding area on the San Juan County Parks website and right here on our site of course! Here’s the gallery again!
Hiking trail leading out from main campground and day-use area. You can see the picnic shelter in the distance as well.Welcome to Friday Harbor!View from one of the hiking trails along the water at San Juan County ParkView from the beachSan Juan County Park Campground MapOur campsite for the weekend. SIte #10 is probably one of the flattest sites availabe at the campground, at least for a Campervan of our size.
What amenities are available at San Juan County Park Campground?
San Juan County Park Campground offers various amenities for campers, including picnic tables, fire rings, potable water, restrooms, showers, and a dump station.
The campground also has a boat launch and parking area for kayakers.
Like this:
Like Loading…
Experience San Juan County Park Campground’s scenic beauty and prime location near Lime Kiln State Park and San Juan Island foxes!