• Mt. Baker from American Camp prairie

    San Juan Island

    National Historical Park Washington

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  • Park on Winter Schedule

    The American Camp Visitor Center is closed Thanksgiving Day, re-opening Friday. Winter hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday. The English Camp Visitor Center is closed for the winter. Grounds at both units are open from dawn to 11 p.m. daily. More »

Nature & Science

NATURE

Marine Mammals Birds and Birding


Wildflower Guide Island Marble Butterfly


The Prairie Prairie Stewardship Guide


SCIENCE

Research Research Permits

Inventory & Monitoring Vital Signs

Ecosystem Restoration Volunteer

Prescribed Fire Water Quality
 
Chocolate lilies at American Camp

Chocolate lilies grace the ramparts of Robert's Redoubt at American Camp.

Mike Vouri

With 1752 acres and 6.1 miles of shoreline, San Juan Island National Historical Park protects the most extensive public saltwater access in the San Juan Archipelago, which includes more than 800 islands, islets, rocks, and reefs, and 370 miles of tidelands. North of Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands lie between Canada’s Vancouver Island, the Strait of Georgia, the inland coast of northwest Washington State, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The environmentally sensitive coastal areas of the San Juan Islands are regarded as among the most diverse—and fragile—marine ecosystems in the world, and are especially significant given the rich terrestrial and water resources.

In the park’s two units on San Juan Island—American Camp on the southern tip and English Camp in the northwest—you’ll find a diverse landscape, from seaside bluffs and marine lagoons to evergreen forests and stands of Garry oak. In spring native wildflowers blanket the dramatic open prairie of American Camp as well as the trails throughout English Camp. Wildlife ranges from Orca whales and bald eagles to over 200 species of birds and 32 species of butterflies, including the rare Island Marble butterfly.

 
Volunteers plant grass plugs on the American Camp prairie.
Earth Corps volunteers plant grass seedlings at American Camp near the Eagle Cove boundary.
Chris Davis Photo

Did You Know?

Capt. Geoffrey Phipps Hornby, RN

Capt. Geoffrey Phipps Hornby of HMS Tribune refused Governor James Douglas’s orders to land Royal Marines on San Juan Island realizing that his opposite, Capt. George Pickett, would open fire.  The policy of the Royal Navy was only to fire if fired upon. More...