Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next San Juan Island National Historical Park adventure.
Visit this day-use park for history and beaches. Â
On the southern tip of San Juan Island, San Juan Island National Historical Park marks the site of the so-called Pig War, a peaceful boundary dispute between Britain and the U.S. fueled by the death of a trespassing pig. Both camps have since been converted into visitor centers with ranger programs and exhibits. The park is open 24 hours a day and while you canât camp here, there are plenty of things to do as a day visitor, including biking, kayaking, and exploring hiking trails and sandy beaches.
The best time to visit San Juan Island National Historical Park is between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when Pacific Northwest weather is at its finest and the chance of rain is lower. This is also the best time for sea kayak adventures. The English Camp Visitor Center and American Visitor Center are only open during this period (both are closed Sunday-Tuesday; the English Camp is also closed on Wednesdays). Peak whale-watching season is from May through September, though the aquatic mammals are present in the waters here throughout the year.