The Park is in the San Juan Islands between Vancouver Island, British Columbia (west side), Olympic Peninsula (south side), and mainland part of the state (east side). The islands are accessed by ferry boat, private boat, or air. Washington State Ferries travel from Anacortes (eighty-three miles north of Seattle) to the Islands; and Ferries operating from Sidney, British Columbia (fifteen miles north of Victoria, Vancouver Island). Commercial air flights are scheduled regularly from Bellingham and Seattle to Friday Harbor. Private airplanes can land at airstrips at Friday and Roche Harbors. There are numerous docking facilities at most of the islands.
WHEN TO VISIT
Open year round. Peak visitor month is August. The climate in the San Juan Islands is mild in Winter and warm in Summer.
POINTS OF INTEREST
This Park marks the events on the island from 1853 to 1872 in connection with final settlement of the Oregon Territory's boundary, including the so-called Pig War of 1859. The San Juan group includes more than 170 islands.
Friday Harbor is six miles from American Camp and eleven miles from British Camp. Food, supplies, and overnight accommodations are available there, or on Lopez and Orcas Islands. Campgrounds are available on the various islands in the group; some can be accessed only by boat.
