Rate San Juan Island National Historical Park
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
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Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Historical Park
Operating Hours & Seasons
San Juan Island National Historical Park
Park grounds are open dawn to 11 p.m. daily year-round. Services and facilities are only available during specific hours tied to visitor center operating hours.
Standard Hours
- Sunday: Sunrise -11:00 PM
- Monday: Sunrise -11:00 PM
- Tuesday: Sunrise -11:00 PM
- Wednesday: Sunrise -11:00 PM
- Thursday: Sunrise -11:00 PM
- Friday: Sunrise -11:00 PM
- Saturday: Sunrise -11:00 PM
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $0.00 – Entrance
There is no fee to access San Juan Island National Historical Park.
About
Peace Over War
San Juan Island is well known for splendid vistas, saltwater shore, 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.
Directions
San Juan Island is served by Washington State Ferries, several private cruise and shuttle craft and two air carriers (one of which has both land and seaplane service). The Washington State Ferries terminal is 85 miles north of Seattle and 90 miles south of Vancouver, BC in Anacortes, WA.
Visitor Centers
American Camp Visitor Center
The American Camp visitor center, located on Cattle Point Road on the island’s southern peninsula, serves year-round as the primary contact station for the park. English Camp Visitor Center
The heart of English Camp is situated on the shoreline located below the main parking area, accessible from West Valley Road.
Weather
Spring: Temperatures usually range from 40 F to 60 F. Wildflowers are at their peak around May. Summer: Temperatures usually range from 45 F to 70 F. On very sunny days, be prepared with water-heat exhaustion is a common complaint among park visitors who are unprepared. Fall: Temperatures usually range from 40 F to 65 F. Rain is common. Winter: Temperatures range from 35 F to 50 F. Be prepared with cold and wet weather gear and numerous layers if you intend to be outside. Rain and wind are common.
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