San Juan Island is well known for its splendid vistas, saltwater shores, quiet woodlands, orca whales and one of the last remaining native prairies in the Puget Sound/Northern Straits region. But it was also here in 1859 that the United States and Great Britain nearly went to war over possession of the island, the cris
Free — you won’t need your pass here.
Free entry — there is no entrance fee here, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
- Fee type No fee — No fee is charged here.
- HoursPark grounds are open 24 hours per-day, year-round.
- Source National Park Service ↗
- Last verifiedJuly 6, 2026 · Confirmed
- Official pagewww.nps.gov ↗
- Contact 3603782240 · allison_herkey@nps.gov
San Juan Island is served by Washington State Ferries, several private cruise and shuttle craft and two air carriers (one of which has both land and seaplane service). The Washington State Ferries terminal is 85 miles north of Seattle and 90 miles south of Vancouver, BC in Anacortes, WA.
Common questions
Quick Yes / No / Depends answers for San Juan Island National Historical Park — always confirm with the managing site before you go.
No Is there a fee at San Juan Island National Historical Park?
No — it’s free to enter, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
Yes Are there hiking trails?
Yes — trails here include American Camp Connector, Bell Point Spur, Bell Point Trail, and more. Check length and difficulty before you go.
Yes Can you bike here?
Yes — biking is available at San Juan Island National Historical Park. Confirm which roads or trails allow it.
Depends Can you bring a dog?
Usually only leashed and in developed areas, campgrounds, and paved paths — not on most trails or in buildings. Pet rules vary by park, so check first.
No Are drones allowed?
No — launching, landing, or operating drones is prohibited on National Park Service land.
Yes What are the hours?
Park grounds are open 24 hours per-day, year-round.
Nearby sites
Joe Mabel (on Flickr as Joe Mabel from Seattle, US) / CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge
CheckThis U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site may charge a fee your pass covers — confirm before you go.
Turn Point
CheckThis Bureau of Land Management site may charge a fee your pass covers — confirm before you go.
