San Juan Island is well known for its splendid vistas, saltwater shores, quiet
woodlands, orca whales and one of the last remaining native prairies in the
Puget Sound/Northern Straits region. But it was also here in 1859 that the
United States and Great Britain nearly went to war over possession of the
island, the crisis ignited by the death of a pig.

San Juan Island is well known for its splendid vistas, saltwater shores, quiet woodlands, orca whales and one of the last remaining native prairies in the Puget Sound/Northern Straits region. But it was also here in 1859 that the United States and Great Britain nearly went to war over possession of the island, the crisis ignited by the death of a pig.

Visitors come from all over the world to explore English Camp

English Camp Barracks

The sun sets on the American Camp parade grounds

Sunset at American Camp

Grandma's Cove is a popular spot for park visitors

Grandma's Cove

Reenactors fire a cannon at Encampment

Encampment

San Juan Island National Historical Park

The formal garden in bloom

English Camp Formal Garden

In October of 1976 the San Juan Wilderness was established, which added the
purposes of the Wilderness Act (Sept. 3, 1964) including “**. . . to secure
for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an
enduring resource of wilderness** ” to all units of the refuge except for
Smith, Minor, Turn, Jones Islands, and a small portion of Matia Island.

Note: **Bold** **language** is from the original establishing legislation.

The San Juan Wilderness designation includes 80 of the 83 units of the San
Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. These wilderness islands total 353
acres and include: Aleck Rocks, Bare Island, Barren Island, Battleship Island,
Bird Rock, Black Rock, Boulder Island, Brown Rock, Buck Island, Castle Island,
Center Reef, Clements Reef, Colville Island, Crab Island, Davidson Rock, Eliza
Rock, Flattop Island, Flower Island, Fortress Island, Four Bird Rocks, Gull
Reef, Gull Rock, Half Tide Rock, Hall Island, Harbor Rock, Lawson Rock, Little
Sister Island, two named Low Island, Matia Island (with the exception of the
five acres camping area managed by the Washington State Parks), Mouatt Reef,
Mummy Rocks, Nob Island, North Pacific Rock, North Peapod Rocks, Parker Reef,
Peapod Rocks, Pointer Island, Puffin Island, Rim and Rum Islands, Ripple
Island, Secar Rock, Sentinel Island, Shag Rock, Shark Reef, Skipjack Island,
Skull Island, Small Island, South Peapod Rocks, Swirl Island, The Sisters,
Three Williamson Rocks, Tift Rocks, Turn Rock, Viti Rocks, White Rocks, and
Willow Island, along with various unnamed rocks, reefs, and islands.

For more information about San Juan Wilderness, visit wilderness.net

In 1982 Jones Island was removed from the San Juan Islands NWR and transferred
to the State of Washington for use as a public recreation area.

Under executive orders since the mid to late 1800s, and in the Refuge's
establishing documents, it was stated that some islands which are now units of
the San Juan Islands NWR retain “**lighthouse purposes.** ” These “lighthouse
purposes” today translate into a variety of navigation aids which are
maintained under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Rocks, Reefs, and Islands in the San Juan Islands NWR

In October of 1976 the San Juan Wilderness was established, which added the purposes of the <a href="https://www.justice.gov/enrd/wilderness-act-1964" rel="nofollow">Wilderness Act</a> (Sept. 3, 1964) including “. . . to secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness” to all units of the refuge except for Smith, Minor, Turn, Jones Islands, and a small portion of Matia Island.Note: Bold language is from the original establishing legislation.The San Juan Wilderness designation includes 80 of the 83 units of the San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. These wilderness islands total 353 acres and include: Aleck Rocks, Bare Island, Barren Island, Battleship Island, Bird Rock, Black Rock, Boulder Island, Brown Rock, Buck Island, Castle Island, Center Reef, Clements Reef, Colville Island, Crab Island, Davidson Rock, Eliza Rock, Flattop Island, Flower Island, Fortress Island, Four Bird Rocks, Gull Reef, Gull Rock, Half Tide Rock, Hall Island, Harbor Rock, Lawson Rock, Little Sister Island, two named Low Island, Matia Island (with the exception of the five acres camping area managed by the Washington State Parks), Mouatt Reef, Mummy Rocks, Nob Island, North Pacific Rock, North Peapod Rocks, Parker Reef, Peapod Rocks, Pointer Island, Puffin Island, Rim and Rum Islands, Ripple Island, Secar Rock, Sentinel Island, Shag Rock, Shark Reef, Skipjack Island, Skull Island, Small Island, South Peapod Rocks, Swirl Island, The Sisters, Three Williamson Rocks, Tift Rocks, Turn Rock, Viti Rocks, White Rocks, and Willow Island, along with various unnamed rocks, reefs, and islands.<a href="https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=523" rel="nofollow">For more information about San Juan Wilderness, visit wilderness.net</a>In 1982 <a href="https://parks.state.wa.us/525/Jones-Island" rel="nofollow">Jones Island</a> was removed from the San Juan Islands NWR and transferred to the State of Washington for use as a public recreation area.Under executive orders since the mid to late 1800s, and in the Refuge's establishing documents, it was stated that some islands which are now units of the San Juan Islands NWR retain “lighthouse purposes.” These “lighthouse purposes” today translate into a variety of navigation aids which are maintained under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard.  <a href="https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_1/NWRS/Zone_2/Washington_Maritime_Complex/San_Juan_Islands/Images/Rocks%20Reefs%20and%20Islands%20within%20SJI%20NWR.pdf#:~:text=The%20numbering%20system%20of%20the%2083%20rocks%2C%20reefs%2C,used%20in%20several%20subsequent%20publications%20and%20research%20databases" rel="nofollow">Rocks, Reefs, and Islands in the San Juan Islands NWR</a>

Bird's eye view of the park

San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge

With its commanding view of Haro Strait and the Canadian Gulf Islands, Turn
Point offers wonderful opportunities for photographers and visitors who
appreciate nature and history. The nearby Canadian and Olympic Mountains
provide wonderful scenic backdrops to this special area. The Turn Point Light
Station, built in 1893, stands on the western most end of Stuart Island,
providing light and reference to mariners of the Salish Sea. Turn Point is one
of the best places on BLM-managed lands to see orca whales. Recreational
activities include hiking, camping, boating, sea kayaking, watching wildlife,
and viewing wildflowers.

## Know Before You Go:

  * The Turn Point site is open YEAR ROUND and a small interpretive museum operated by the Turn Point Lighthouse Preservation Society is open daily from July to September.
  * Turn Point is only accessible by water craft. Most visitors arrive via sea kayak or by private boats.
  * On October 7, 2014, San Juan County became the first County in the U.S. designated as a voluntary Leave No Trace Area.

## Point of Interest:

An excellent spot for wildlife watching, Turn Point offers unobstructed views
of Orca pods, sea lions, and various birds.  
  
Turn Point Brochure  
  
Explore Washington Recreation: Turn Point, San Juan Islands

With its commanding view of Haro Strait and the Canadian Gulf Islands, Turn Point offers wonderful opportunities for photographers and visitors who appreciate nature and history. The nearby Canadian and Olympic Mountains provide wonderful scenic backdrops to this special area. The Turn Point Light Station, built in 1893, stands on the western most end of Stuart Island, providing light and reference to mariners of the Salish Sea. Turn Point is one of the best places on BLM-managed lands to see orca whales. Recreational activities include hiking, camping, boating, sea kayaking, watching wildlife, and viewing wildflowers.

<h2>Know Before You Go:</h2>

<ul>
	<li>The Turn Point site is open YEAR ROUND and a small interpretive museum operated by the <a href="http://www.tplps.org/" rel="nofollow">Turn Point Lighthouse Preservation Society</a> is open daily from July to September.</li>
	<li>Turn Point is only accessible by water craft. Most visitors arrive via sea kayak or by private boats.</li>
	<li>On October 7, 2014, San Juan County became the first County in the U.S. designated as a voluntary Leave No Trace Area.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Point of Interest:</h2>

An excellent spot for wildlife watching, Turn Point offers unobstructed views of Orca pods, sea lions, and various birds. 
 
<a href="https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/spo_turnpoint_brochure.pdf" rel="nofollow">Turn Point Brochure</a> 
 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPtgB3mKI64" rel="nofollow">Explore Washington Recreation: Turn Point, San Juan Islands </a>

San Juan Island National Historical Park

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Turn Point