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Visitor Information
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| For four years, NPS Volunteer Elly Smith, Loveland, Colorado, has greeted visitors at our Friday Harbor Visitor Center during the summer months. Dave Curl photo. |
| VISITATION:
Highest in July and August; lowest in December and January.
ADDRESS: San Juan Island National Historical Park
STAFF: Superintendent: Peter K. Dederich
TELEPHONE: (360) 378-2240
E-MAIL: peter_dederich@nps.gov
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS: Grounds at American and English camps are open from dawn to 11:00
p.m., throughout the year. There is no camping.
American Camp Visitor Center:
Friday Harbor Visitor Center:
English Camp Visitor Center:
All centers closed Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1.
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
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Summer is sunny with scattered showers; high-low 85-62 degrees F.; shorts or trousers, T-shirt, hat, and sunscreen; bring a raincoat. Winter is cloudy and cold; high-low 45-20 degrees F.; wear coat (and raincoat) and hat. Click on either image for detailed weather information. |  |
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DIRECTIONS: Take Interstate-5 north to Washington State Route 20 West to Anacortes. Follow the Washington State Ferry signs in Anacortes 6 miles to the ferry dock. The ferry ride ranges from one hour and fifteen minutes to one hour and forty-five minutes, depending on stops. Park headquarters is at 125 Spring Street in Friday Harbor. To reach American Camp from Friday Harbor, take Spring Street to Mullis Road. Mullis becomes Argyll, then Cattle Point Road. Follow Cattle Point Road south about six miles until you reach American Camp. The visitor center road is to the right immediately beyond the "American Camp" entrance sign. To reach English Camp from Friday Harbor, take Spring Street to Second Street and turn right. Stay on Second. It will become Guard, then Beaverton Valley Road and finally West Valley Road. About 10 miles from Friday Harbor, you will reach the park entrance road, which is 500 feet on the left beyond the "English Camp" entrance sign. Island Map: (Adobe
Acrobat file--get Reader)
TRANSPORTATION: •By Water: Washington State Ferries (from Anacortes and Sidney, British
Columbia); Victoria Clipper (from Seattle).
FEES, COSTS RATES: No fees. FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES: American Camp -- Is located on the southern tip of the island, about six miles southeast of Friday Harbor. Two historic buildings survive, along with the remains of an earthen gun emplacement (or redoubt). Other building sites are identified, including the locations of the Hudson's Bay Company farm, the old town of San Juan and the American Camp cemetery. Visitor center exhibits focus on archaeology and daily life in both camps. Except for federal holidays, the center is open Thursday through Sunday -- fall, winter and spring, and daily during the summer season. A ranger is on duty to provide information and a laser-disc program is available that provides an overview of the Pig War and joint occupation. A self-guiding history foot trail, about a mile long, begins in the American Camp parking lot. Booklets for the walk are available at the trailhead in the visitor center parking area. English Camp -- Lies on tree-sheltered Garrison Bay, about nine miles northwest of Friday Harbor. Four historic buildings and a small formal garden have been restored. The barracks has the same laser disc program as American Camp. Buildings are open daily during the summer season.A self-guiding history walk is scheduled to open in the summer of 1999. Booklets will be available at the trailhead, just off the parking area. Park Headquarters -- Is located in the town of Friday Harbor, at 125 Spring Street. An information desk is open Monday through Friday during the winter months and daily during the summer season, June through September. Exhibits focus on archaeology, the Pig War and joint occupation and frontier army life. Trails, Roads -- More than eight miles of trail through forest, seashore and prairie have been cut at both sites. The trails are dirt or mowed grass. Programs, Activities – Laser disc program and exhibits are always available. In the summer, there are several weekend special programs. School Group Educational Programs -- On-site tours are provided for all age groups. the park also has a traveling trunk and resource guide targeted for 4th/5th graders, but adaptable for all grade levels. Lodging and Camping Facilities -- There are no lodging or camping facilities in the park. Camping facilities, motels and bed and breakfasts are available throughout San Juan Island. Food, Supplies -- The nearest stores are in Friday Harbor, 6 miles from American Camp and about 9 miles from English Camp. Other Concessions, NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities -- The Visitor Center bookstores in Friday Harbor and at American Camp are operated by the Northwest Interpretive Association. Accessibility -- Portions of the American Camp self-guided history walk are wheelchair accessible; all restrooms and the Visitor Centers at Friday Harbor and American Camp are accessible. As of this posting a ramp is being planned for the English Camp Royal Marine barracks. Special Needs -- Laser disc programs at both camps are close-captioned
for hearing impaired.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES, PARK USE: AMERICAN CAMP
Self-guided Historical Walk -- Relive the Pig War along the trail that starts in the Visitor Center parking lot. Pick up guides in boxes at trailhead. (1.25 mile) Grandma's Cove -- Stroll downhill to one of the finest beaches on San Juan Island. Use caution in descending the bluff to the beach. (.25 mile from Visitor Center) Bluff Walks -- Primitive tracks criss-crossthe prairie and trace the bluff from Grandma's Cove to South Beach and back to the Visitor Center via the Redoubt. Walkers are advised to use caution as rabbits have excavated warrens throughout the prairie. Stepping in a hole can cause injuries. (2.5 miles) Jakle's Lagoon Trail -- Hike along the old roadbed and enjoy the quiet of a Douglas fir canopy. This wooded area shelters deer and many types of birds. (1.5 mile) Mt. Finlayson Trail -- Hike to the top of Mt. Finlayson where you can see Mt. Baker to the east, mt. Rainier to the southeast, the olympic Mountains to the south and British Columbia to the west. (3 mile loop) South Beach --
Walk along the longest public beach on the island where shore birds abound.
During low tides, observe tide pool life along the rocky shoreline toward
Grandma's Cove. (2 mile)
ENGLISH CAMP
Bell Point Trail -- Walk the mile-long fairly level trail to Bell Point for a view of Westcott Bay. If you like to harvest shellfish, check with the park ranger at the visitor center for locations, daily limits and red tide warnings. (2 mile loop) Young Hill Trail -- Hike the fairly steep trail up 650 feet to the top of Young Hill for a panoramic view of the island's northwest corner. The English Camp cemetery is along the way, holding the remains of six Royal Marines. (1.25 mile) English Formal Garden --
The garden lies between the officers' quarters sites and the English camp
parade ground. The camp's second commanding officer had it built for his
family to remind them of home.
Campfires are not allowed at English Camp.
RESERVATIONS, PERMITS: Permits are required for weddings and other formal gatherings, and
for use of the park for commercial purposes. Permits are also required
for use of chain saws to cut driftwood on South Beach from November through
mid-May. For scheduling purposes, school groups should make reservations
for site visits and traveling trunk.
BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS: Allow one to two hours at each site to explore the Visitor Centers
and walk the trails.
SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS: On Saturday afternoons during the summer season, Park Rangers and
volunteers demonstrate pioneer and military skills and crafts wearing period
clothing. Evening programs are featured on Saturdays. Ranger guided walks
are scheduled Saturdays at both sites during the summer season.
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS: The San Juan Island Historical society, located in Friday Harbor, features historical artifacts and living history exhibits. The Whale Museum, also located in Friday Harbor, features exhibitions and programming on whales and other sea mammals throughout the year. Roche Harbor Resort has one of the oldest hotels in the state, picturesque gardens and a color flag ceremony every evening during the summer season. Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve on Whidbey Island features spectacular vistas in a historical setting. For more information about the Hudson's Bay Company in the Oregon country; visit Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Vancouver, Washington. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Recorded information (off-hours): (360) 378-2240. To request specific information, please call (360) 378-2902 or (360) 378-2240 (during business hours, Monday-Friday). San Juan Island National Historical Park is part of the Columbia
Cascades Cluster
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