James Island Marine State Park sits low on the horizon, small and unassuming next to its neighbors in the San Juan archipelago. This tiny marine state park, accessible only by boat, may be the ideal retreat.
Remote as it seems, James Island is not to be missed. Featuring emerald coves, forested trails, spectacular views and an isthmus with two white sand beaches, the park offers only 13 primitive campsites – three for travelers arriving by human- or wind-powered watercraft and 10 sites clustered in two areas on opposite sides of the isle, and moorage is available on both sides.
You've worked hard to get here. Now it is time to relax and experience the lightly touched beauty of this watery paradise.
PARK FEATURES
James Island Marine State Park is a 581-acre, marine camping and moorage park with 12,335 feet of saltwater shoreline on Rosario Strait. Much of James Island has been designated a Natural Forest Area and is closed to public access, except for designated recreational areas and 1.5 miles of high bluff trails with extraordinary views.
PICNIC & DAY-USE FACILITIES
West Cove has a composting toilet, while East Cove has one pit toilet.
ACTIVITIES
TRAILS
1.5 miles of hiking trails
WATER ACTIVITIES & FEATURES
Boating
Crabbing
Diving
Fishing (saltwater)
Oyster harvesting
BOATING FEATURES
Located in San Juan County on Puget Sound, James Island has four mooring buoys in the East Cove. Mooring buoys remain in place year-round. Moorage fees are charged year round from 1:00 PM to 8:00 AM on a first come, first served basis. All boaters must self-register and pay required fees upon arrival. Boaters must also pay for boats rafted to another boat. Boaters need to obey rafting limits posted on mooring buoys. West Cove has a dock with a 128-foot moorage float (256 linear feet). Dock removal begins in October and installation begins the end of March. All floats will be installed no later than May 1. No boats more than 45-feet are permitted on buoys. Please observe rafting limits posted on each buoy.
Salmon and bottom fishing is good in waters adjacent to James Island State Park.
CAMPSITE INFORMATION
James Island has 13 campsites at three locations on the island. Camping is available on a first come, first served basis. Water Trail Site is on a hill above a pocket cove of the West Cove and has three campsites (sites 11-13) and a pit toilet. These campsites are part of the Cascadia Marine Trail and are strictly reserved for use by boats arriving by human- or wind-powered watercraft.
The Saddle area spans from the West Cove shoreline across the island to the East Cove. There are six campsites (sites 5-10), a picnic shelter and two picnic sites, composting toilet facilities, pay station, and moorage dock. A trail leads to the East Cove where there are four offshore mooring buoys. The loop trail system starts and ends here. The bottom structure at the West Cove is rocky and steeply sloped. It is not a good anchorage site.
The East Cove campground is a short walk from the Saddle area and has four campsites (sites 1-4), one pit toilet, bulletin board, and pay station. From here, the loop trail leads southwest to the Water Trail campsites on the southwest side of the West Cove. Boaters moored in the East Cove are exposed to wakes from boat traffic in Rosario Strait.
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time is 1 p.m.
There is no potable water on the island and no garbage service. Visitors need to pack-out what they pack-in. Boats may not use dinghies to reserve moorage space on the dock or buoys. Campers and boaters must self register and pay fees at the bulletin board / pay station. The nearest fuel and groceries are at Anacortes.
