TURN ISLAND STATE PARK
Turn Island State Park is a 35-acre marine park with 16,000 feet of shoreline. The island is part of the San Juan National Wildlife Refuge.
Park hours/updates:
The park is open year round for camping, day use and moorage.
Summer hours: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.Winter hours: 8 a.m. to dusk.Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. No generators in use from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Birds ? Owls
The island was originally mapped as a point of land on San Juan Island by the Wilkes Expedition in 1841 and was named Point Salsbury. It was later found to be an island at a turn in San Juan Channel and was named Turn Island on British Admiralty charts of 1858-59. The island is part of the San Juan National Wildlife Refuge.
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the
Discover Pass web page.
Turn Island is a wildlife refuge. Visitors should stay on designated hiking trails, and please do not disturb the wildlife.
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.Length of stay: You may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park during the summer; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
1. Turn Island State Park offers saltwater swimming along its shoreline.
2. The park does not have a designated swim area or lifeguards on duty.
3. Swimmers can enjoy the surrounding views of San Juan Channel and other islands while in water.
4. Water temperatures can be cold, so wet suits are recommended for extended swims.
5. Wildlife sightings during your swim may include seals, otters, and various bird species.
6. Tides should be monitored as they could affect safety when swimming off-shore from the island's beaches.
The park offers three mooring buoys.
The main area to access the island is on the cove on the northwest harbor, near the mooring buoys. The cove to the west has a reef that extends out from the small island. It is not recommended to use this beach.
Moorage fees are charge year round from 1 p.m. to 8 a.m. All boaters must register and pay upon arrival. Boaters must also pay a fee for boats rafted to another boat.
Enjoy fishing for salmon, rockfish and lingcod from the shore or by boat. Crabbing is also popular here.
Turn Island State Park is located near Anacortes
Turn Island State Park offers picnic tables and grills, perfect for a family outing. No reservation is required to use them.
1. Perimeter Trail: This is the longest trail in Turn Island State Park, circling around the entire island and offering stunning views of surrounding waters.
2. Interior Trails: These trails crisscross through the heart of the park, allowing hikers to explore dense forests filled with a variety of flora and fauna native to Washington state.
3. Beach Access Trails: Shorter paths that lead directly from camping areas down towards sandy beaches where visitors can enjoy picnics or simply relax by water's edge.
4. Wildlife Viewing Pathways: Certain sections are specifically designed for wildlife viewing opportunities such as bird watching spots along these pathways which offer glimpses into local ecosystems without disturbing natural habitats too much.
5. Picnic Area Paths: There are several short walking routes leading up to picnic tables scattered throughout park providing easy access even if carrying food items or other supplies needed for outdoor dining experiences on sunny days out at this beautiful location.
6. Tidal Pool Exploration Routes: For those interested in marine life there exist specific low-tide only accessible tracks enabling exploration during certain times when tide recedes revealing fascinating tidal pools teeming with sea creatures like starfish, anemones etc.,.
7. Viewpoint Hikes: A few uphill hikes take you higher ground points giving panoramic vistas over San Juan Islands making them perfect sunset/sunrise observation locations within park premises itself,.
8. Campsite Connector Tracks: To facilitate movement between different campsites spread across island some well:marked connector footpaths have been laid out ensuring campers don't lose their way especially after dark hours while moving about inside forest area covered part hereof,.
9. Kayak Launching Point Route: One particular path leads straight down beach side meant exclusively kayakers who wish launch off shore exploring nearby islands via water route instead land based hiking options available otherwise hereinabove mentioned list above all else besides aforementioned ones already listed heretofore therein below thus far henceforth hereinafter.
Birding enthusiasts can spot a variety of species including bald eagles, great blue herons and black oystercatchers. Other birds include pigeon guillemots, rhinoceros auklets and various types of gulls. The park's diverse habitats attract many migratory bird species as well.
Water Activities ? Boating (saltwater)? Crabbing
The park is located 1.75 miles southeast of Friday Harbor in San Juan County.
The park is accessible only by boat. The closest access point is Jackson Beach on San Juan Island. The closest "mainland" access is Washington Park in Anacortes.