Show All Answers

1. Where can I get driving directions from the ferry to the park?

For the more scenic route, follow the main flow of traffic off the ferry, through downtown Friday Harbor.

Directions - About a mile from downtown, take the 1st left (Douglas Road) after you enter farmland
-Continue on this main road to a right-hand bend in the road, at this point the road name changes to Bailer Hill Road
- Follow this road to Lime Kiln State Park
- turn right (uphill) before the park entrance
- Drive another 2 miles to the park entrance, you'll enter to your left.
Signs along the road will alert you to the upcoming entrance. This route is about 12 miles (20 minutes).
50 San Juan Park Road

2. Where is the nearest grocery store?

Friday Harbor has 2 grocery stores, King's and Market Place (10.2 miles away from Park). Snug Harbor Resort has camp sundries and limited food supplies (2.7 miles away from Park). Roche Harbor also has a small grocery store (7.5 miles away from Park).

3. How far is it from San Juan County Park to local harbors and parks?

- Friday Harbor: 10 miles (via Beaverton Valley)
- Friday Harbor: 12 miles (via Bailer Hill Road)
- Snug Harbor: Just over 2 miles
- Roche Harbor: 9 miles
- Lime Kiln State Park: Just over 2 miles
- English Camp: Just over 4 miles
- American Camp: 12 miles

4. Where can I go for a hike?

Hiking is available at Mount Young above English Camp, South Beach, Jakles Lagoon, Mt. Finlayson at American Camp, Cattle Point Lighthouse and the Limestone Quarry at Roche Harbor. Visit the San Juan Island's Visitors Bureaus' hiking page.

5. Are there other places to camp on this island?

Lakedale at Three Lakes Resort offers camping, showers, lake, boat rentals and cabins.

6. What about camping on other islands?

At the Fairgrounds in Friday Harbor, we can accommodate RV's of any length (no tent camping). We also operate Odlin County Park on Lopez Island and Shaw Island County Park on Shaw Island. There is also a State Park (Spencer Spit) on Lopez. San Juan County Parks doesn't operate any overnight camping facilities on Orcas Island, but Moran State Park and some private resorts offer camping.

7. Where can I take a shower?

There are coin-operated showers at the Port of Friday Harbor Marina in Friday Harbor and at Roche Harbor Marina.

8. Where can I park?

Please check with the Park staff for the most suitable location for your vehicle and/or boat trailer. There is no charge for day-use parking, but overnight vehicle parking for kayakers/boaters is $20 per night.

9. Where can I rent a kayak?

We don't rent kayaks or other craft at any of our parks. Check the phone book under Canoes and Kayaks or the information kiosks around town. There are a number of different kayak tour companies who operate out of our County Parks.

When selecting a company, check the company's history, ask if they have the proper permits needed to launch their trips and where they launch from, ask if the company has liability insurance and in what amount. Ask to talk to people who have been on trips with them before.

Due to the potentially challenging weather and tidal situations in the San Juan Islands, we encourage those with little or no kayak or open water experience to go on a guided tour rather than rent.

10. Where can I find tide and current predictions for the area?

Visit the NOAA Tides and Currents Website

11. What should I know before I plan to launch my vessel/kayak at San Juan County Park?

To help protect Southern Resident Killer Whales and other marine animals, San Juan County Parks is working with NOAA Fisheries, The Whale Museum, and local kayak tour operators to educate all boaters on regulations affecting Killer Whales. 1) From the 2nd Friday in May through the last Sunday in September of each year, all vessel operators launching from San Juan County Park with the intention of leaving the immediate cove area must have a valid permit.

To obtain a permit, vessel operators will attend a short educational presentation on whale watching regulations and guidelines and pay the applicable permit fee. Vessel operators agree to follow prescribed whale watch guidelines and regulations. Vessel operators who return annually may attend the training every other year upon presentation of the previous year’s permit to park staff.

12. How can I get more information about the Marine Stewardship Area in the islands?

The County established the Marine Resources Committee that has produced a map showing this protected area, including National Wildlife Refuge sites and other sensitive marine areas. You can find more information online.