Last updated: July 19, 2022
Thing to Do
Picnicking on San Juan Island

NPS
Many visitors enjoy having picnics! Since there aren’t any restaurants in the park, it’s a good idea to bring food if you plan on staying a while. Groceries, snacks, and prepared food are available in the towns of Friday Harbor and at Roche Harbor near American Camp.
Picnic tables are available at the English Camp Parade Ground, American Camp Parade Ground, and at a scenic overlook on the Bell Point Loop Trail.
The beaches are popular picnic spots too. There are picnic tables at 4th of July Beach, or you can bring a blanket and dine on the sand! You can cook your food over a bonfire, which are only allowed at South Beach.
You can also forage for some food in the park. However, don’t rely on the island to sustain you during your visit.
San Juan Island National Historical Park has four picnic areas: three at American Camp and one at English Camp. All four picnic areas are accessible by car.
At American Camp the picnic areas are at the visitor center, next to the Fourth of July beach parking lot and along South Beach. Most of the picnic tables are close to parking areas. Some tables are harder to get to, a few at South Beach are only reachable across short stretches of sand. All three areas have accessible restrooms.
The picnic area at English Camp is at the top of the parking lot. An accessible restroom is also located in the parking area.