• American Camp prairie and Mount Finlayson.

    San Juan Island

    National Historical Park Washington

  • American Camp Visitor Center on Daily Schedule

    The American Camp visitor center will be open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily through Friday, June 2. Grounds are open sunrise to 11 p.m. The English Camp visitor center opens June 2. Grounds are open 8 a.m. to sunset. More »

Pacific Madrone

madrona peeling
One of the m,ost commonly asked questions by visitors: "What is the red tree with the peeling bark?"
 

Pacific madrone
(Arbutus menziesii)

The curving, red/orange trunks of these trees are always photo worthy, and appear to be sculpted by the wind. When the bark peels to collect at the base of the tree, the trunks are smooth and lime green, and reddish berry clusters appear in late summer.

Where in the park: English Camp

Learn more:

U.S. Forest Service

Did You Know?

Did You Know?

James Alden, commander of the USCS Steamer Active, carried dispatches during the Pig War crisis. During the Battle of Mobile Bay he led the Union fleet into the harbor until stalled by Confederate mines. That's when Admiral David G. Farragut shouted "Damn the torpedoes..."