By Anna Haefele ere in the San Juans, you’ll find peaceful and scenic camping. The local campgrounds, both public and private, offer a variety of trails, beaches, activities, and scenic views, so there’s something to be enjoyed by everyone. No matter where you decide to stay, you’ll be close enough to town to pick up anything you need, explore the shops, and enjoy the unique island communities. Plus, here in the shadow of the Olympics, odds are you’ll enjoy superb summer weather. To make a reservation at a county park, visit sanjuanco. com/CAMP/parkreservations/. To make a reservation at a state park, visit parks.wa.gov/reservations/. Below is a list of private and public campgrounds in the San Juans. San Juan Island
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• San Juan County Park—Located on the west side, this popular scenic park looks out over the Haro Strait and the Strait of Juan De Fuca to Vancouver Island and beyond. Park amenities include water, picnic areas, toilets, beaches, and a boat launch. It has 20 campsites, and reservations are recommended from May-Sept. (360-378-8420)
Lopez Island
• Odlin County Park— Odlin is situated on the waterfront, edged by a stretch of sandy beach. Odlin boasts 30 campsites, toilets, water, a boat launch, a dock, a baseball field, and a group picnic area, and is
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an ideal family campground. (360-378-8420) • Spencer Spit State Park—Located on 138 acres on the north end, Spencer Spit has 16 mooring bouys and 37 campsites, including group camps and a Water Trail site, Spencer Spit offers water, toilets, picnic areas, hiking trails and kayaks. (360-468-2251)
Orcas Island
• Moran State Park: Stationed on 5,252 Orcas Island acres, Moran State Park features five lakes, 151 campsites, 30 miles of hiking trails, 11 miles of bike trails, six miles of horseback riding trails, and a playground, as well as the scenic lookout atop Mt. Constitution. Kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats are also available for rent, and both showers and restrooms are at hand. (360-376-2326)
Shaw Island
• Shaw Island County Park: Overlooking Indian Cove on the southern edge of the island, Shaw Island County Park offers 11 campsites near and along the longest stretch of sandy beach in the San Juans. (360-378-8420)
Marine Parks
ORCAS ISLAND
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• Marine Parks are a wonderful way for boaters and kayakers to explore the archipelago’s outlying and lesser known islands. Patos Island has seven campsites and a lighthouse, Blind Island Marine park offers four marine sites and four mooring buoys, while Turn Island boasts 12 sites and three mooring buoys. Sites on Jones and Sucia Islands can be reserved (360-376-2073).
Private Campgrounds
• Lakedale Resort, San Juan Island: www.lakedale.com, 360378-2350 • Snug Harbor Marina Resort, San Juan Island: www. snugresort.com, 360-378-4762 • Mitchell Bay Landing, San Juan Island: www.mitchellbaylanding. com, 360-378-9296 • Lopez Farm Cottages & Tent Camping, Lopez: www.lopezfarmcottages.com, 800-440-2556 • Doe Bay Resort & Retreat, east Orcas Island: www. doebay.com, 360-376-2291 • West Beach Resort, Orcas Island: www.westbeachresort.com, 877-937-8224