Kayak Camping to James Island in San Juan Islands

(photos below article)

James Island, in the beautifully famed San Juan Islands in northwestern Washington state, is a great overnight kayaking trip for exploring and camping. It is just the right distance for a leisurely crossing from the mainland, followed by exploring around James and the surrounding larger islands such as Decatur Island or Blakely Island. Campsites and basic amenities are available at convenient coves in the middle of the island, most including waterfront views across open water to the surrounding islands and active boating scene.

A convenient launch point for this trip is from Washington Park in Anacortes on the mainland of Fidalgo Island, which is easily reachable by car via bridge with no need for ferries. Washington Park provides a public boat launch and overnight parking lot ($6 per night fee for the secondary lot, $8 at primary lot for vehicles with trailer). James Island is directly visible from the park, when looking out across the shipping lanes due west from the north facing launch area. A sandy gravel beach is available by the boat ramp for lining up kayaks and equipment, and restrooms are available before getting into the water.

From Washington Park, the crossing to James Island is almost 4 miles through the active shipping channels of Rosario Strait between Anacortes and the San Juans. It is advisable to be aware of tides and currents, since the waters moving north and south between Canada and Puget Sound / Strait of Juan de Fuca can be significant. Also, the open expanse of water can lead to wind and current driven wave chop.

James Island is entirely a state park. The 113 acre island is shaped like a large figure 8, shaped by two large extremities rising up as rounded humps above the water. The center point is lower to the water, with accessible beaches on both sides. The east side, closest to the approach from Anacortes, is ideal for kayak access camping ($12 per night, first come first served, pay via pay station envelope on the island). That side has only ~4 campsites and is quiet. Pit toilet, picnic tables, and fire pits are provided. On the west side of the island’s center is a full floating boat dock, more campsites, picnic shelter, and additional pit toilet. Three western sites are reserved for human and wind powered vessel access as part of the Cascadia Marine Trail. Mooring buoys are also available for power boats and sailboats. There is no drinking water available on the island, so bring all that you need.

James Island State Park also has ~1.5 miles of walking trails through the middle and southwest sections of the island. The northerly half of the island is designated Natural Forest Area and is officially off limits for entry, though there is apparently an unofficial and unmaintained trail in that area. Deer and raccoons also live on the island. Come prepared to protect your food at night from those raccoons, since they do come into camp and around kayaks looking to pry open anything that might have food in it.

Circumnavigating around James Island provides a leisurely view of rock formations, harbor seals hauled out and sunning themselves, eagles, and surrounding island shorelines of Decatur Island and Blakely Island. Abundant kelp beds, sea stars, anemones, schools of fish, and more sea life can easily be seen from a kayak.

After our overnight stay at the campsite – where we skipped rocks, ate well, and played poker into the evening – we headed southeast to Bird Rocks in the middle of Rosario Strait. Bird Rocks consist of four+ large rocks or very small islands, devoid of vegetation but very actively covered with many harbor seals and loud squawking birds.

We were then halfway back to the eastern mainland side of the Strait, and continued on to Burrows Island. Burrows Island has a functioning automated lighthouse and is otherwise mostly uninhabited except for one house that we could see. It is a mix of state park owned land and private land. On the southwest side of the island is a rocky beach that serves as a good rest and eating spot after making the crossing from James Island. The lighthouse is accessible from the water as well.

Rounding Burrows Island and Young Island, we flowed with the current between Burrows and Flounder Bay that is located on the “mainland” Anacortes side. The entire Anacortes headland there is Washington Park. Car-accessible viewpoints along that shoreline are visible from the water, and it is otherwise covered in trees down to the rocky shoreline. Rounding north and east, we ended the weekend route back at the Washington Park boat launch.

The variety, accessibility, views, wildlife, camping, and weather of the James Island area creates a great mixture for a weekend kayaking trip. It would also be a welcome stop on a longer tour through more of the San Juan Islands. Enjoy it.

Links
James Island State Park
Washington Park

Books
Kayaking Puget Sound & the San Juan Islands
Kayaking Puget Sound, the San Juans, and Gulf Islands: 50 Trips on the Northwest’s Inland Waters

Directions to Washington Park
Map of James Island State Park