San Juan Island NHP, American Camp Visitor Center

This is my favorite wide-open area and trails of San Juan Island. The historic buildings and enclosure with their iconic stark white presence against the backdrop of fields or the distant Olympic Mountains is a comfort for my love of "big skies". Hike American Camp Visitor's Center to South Beach for the best experience. The lava cliff shores and driftwood beaches await you!

In mid May we walked the South Beach trail out across the prairie and really enjoyed the expansive view, wildflowers, bunnies, foxes and raptors. After exploring the beach and some tidepools in the rocks, we picked up the Coastal Bluff Trail toward Grandma's Cove. Again, full of wildflowers and many songbirds. This was my favorite part of the walk, with the waves crashing below us on our left and the expanse of prairie on our right. The trail is narrow and close to the bluff in places so you might not enjoy it so much with little children.

There is so much fascinating history on this island! This is the first stop you should visit if you are exploring San Juan after Friday Harbor. There are also 2 mated bald eagles that have a nest here (currently with 2 eggs). The visitor center is also a museum with tons of information and displays from archaeological digs. They have restored a few buildings.

Im working up here and, it's a very interesting piece of American history. It's also a very beautiful place. With incredible views of the Puget sound. In less than a week i have seen a fox, eagle's and, a ton of deer. I recommend visiting this place.

We were here when the office was closed but we still walked around to read the placards and see the beautiful views. We came back so we could hear the history and see the displays inside and get the stamp for our National Parks Passport. It was fascinating to learn about what transpired on San Juan Island between the Brits and the US and the Pig War. We also visited the English camp on the other side of the island to get the whole story.

It is a nice little hike. We enjoyed the informative signs and seeing the buildings that are left. We went to this one first and then the English camp on the other side of the island.

Lots of long scenic trails, beautiful views, and a very nice visitors center with helpful and informative staff

Cool history, and you can see the old American camp were troops set up while the San Juan issue was worked out. Beautiful views, nice trails.

Wow! Only one review, and it's two stars? This wrong must be righted. Californians unimpressed? Ho hum. Don't come back, and don't send any of your friends up here to mess the place up. Just repeat '2 star' like you're ordering mediocre Thai food: Not so hot. They'll get the picture. Olympic National park just average? Compared to which temperate rainforest? Rainer? Just a big hunk of rock and ice, and it's always behind the clouds. How about North Cascades? Just wannabe alps. It's like the Yelpers who gave a 1 star rating to Death Valley complaining that it was too hot, or that the Grand Canyon is just a big hole in the ground. Not helpful. San Juan islands have a lot to offer, and San Juan in particular has a lot of interest, but you need to get out of your car to enjoy it. Hike, bike, kayak, go whale watching, drop some crab pots, maybe tour the historic parks too. Sail, fish, go to the beach. You could also spend a lazy afternoon shucking and eating fresh oysters on the bluff at Westcott bay. You're here for island life mon. Watching whales off Lime Kiln point? Seen them on PBS. Orcas breaching In the Sound? We have some of those at Sea world. Argh. Spending a couple of hours shuttling between the mainland and the island, then driving around the island in your car? Yeah, that sounds boring. You missed it all. Now get off my lawn. Phew! I feel better.

Want to San Juan Island National Historic Park in Washington - http://www.nps.gov/sajh/index.htm Took the ferry over with the car. It was only $40 more, so take your car with you if you go. The ferry took about an hour or so, but the island didn't impress. We were in Washington to visit Seattle and the national parks. Mount Rainier was impressive, Olympic was average, and San Juan Island was no big deal. The area around the dock is similar to Catalina Island. We drove around the whole island stopping at American Camp and English Camp. Some nice houses driving around the island, some good spots to kayak, and lots of road bikers to watch out for but nothing that we would go back for.