Washington State Parks

Saddlebag Island: All Content

Park overview:

Saddlebag Island (including Dot Island) is a 24-acre marine park located in Padilla Bay with 6750 feet of shoreline. The park is boat-in camping park within the San Juan islands, popular for its crabbing opportunities. Beautiful wildflowers bloom on the island between April and May, much earlier than other sites within the San Juan archipelago.

Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page.

Park hours/updates:

Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk

The park is open year-round for camping and day use

Camping:
Check-in time, 3 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

Agency information:

Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.

The Discover Pass now can be used on either of two vehicles!

Annual pass: $30
One-day pass: $10
(Transaction and dealer fees may apply)
A Discover Pass is required for motor-vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

Exemptions: Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, the Discover Pass is not required if you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, for the duration of your stay at that state park. For additional exemptions and more information, please visit the Discover Pass website.

Campsite Information:

The park has five primitive campsites and one composting toilet. Campers must self-register and pay fees at the bulletin board/pay station.

One campsite is part of the Cascadia Marine Trail and for the exclusive use of those arriving by human- or wind-powered watercraft.

There is no potable water or garbage service on the island. Visitors must pack out what they pack in.

2013 camping fees:

Please note that the following general fee information is not customized for each individual park, so not all fees will apply to all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations).

May 15 – Sept. 15 (peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $23 non-premium site, $26 premium site
Partial-utility campsite*: $30 non-premium site, $35 premium site
Full-utility campsite*: $32 non-premium site, $37 premium site
*Please note: Camping fees during the 2013 peak season are $28 for partial-utility sites and $29 for full-utility sites at Beacon Rock, Lewis & Clark and Schafer state parks. These parks are first come, first served.

Jan. 1 – May 14 and Sept. 16 – Dec. 31 (off-peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $22 for non-premium and premium sites
Partial-utility campsite: $28 for non-premium and premium sites
Full-utility campsite: $29 for non-premium and premium sites

Maximum eight people per campsite.

Second vehicle: $10 per night is charged for a second vehicle unless it is towed by a recreational vehicle. Extra vehicles must be parked in designated campsite or extra vehicle parking spaces.

Dump stations (if available): Year-round dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.

More about park hours
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 from April 1 through Sept. 30; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.

Simple locator map of Saddlebag Island State Park

Driving Directions

Saddle Bag Island State Park is located in Padilla Bay, two-miles northeast of Anacortes in Skagit County.

N 48.32' W 122.3'

Marine access, reachable online by boat.

The closet launch site to access the park is Cape Sante Marina in Anacortes.

Park Maps

List of all downloadable Washington State Park PDF maps.

Park Features

Saddle Bag Island State Park is part of the San Juan Islands, sitting within Padilla Bay. The park is named for the two rocky knobs separated by a narrow “saddle” of land that form the shaped of the island. Earlier than other sites in the San Juan archipelago, wildflowers bloom on the island between April and May. The park is a popular site for wildlife viewing, with harbor seals and river otter abundant in the surrounding waters. Visitor frequently report sightings of bald eagles and peregrine falcons in the area.

History

Interpretive opportunities

There are currently no interpretive opportunities at this park.

Services/Supplies

	Available in the area
	• Diesel • Gasoline • Groceries

Fuel and groceries are available in Anacortes.

Activities

Trails	Water Activities	Other
• 0.9 mi. Hiking Trails	• Boating (saltwater) • Diving • Fishing (saltwater) • Personal Watercraft (saltwater) • Swimming (saltwater) • Water Skiing (saltwater) • Crabbing	• Bird Watching • Wildlife Viewing
Crabbing is excellent in Padilla Bay, adjacent to Saddle Bay Island. A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website.

Events

Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free. The Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park on ten designated free days in 2013.

The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:

Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend

Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.

Find other events at Washington State Parks

Boating Features

There are no mooring buoys or docks available at the park.

The north bay provides the most wind protection and the bay's bottom consists of mainly of sand and gravel with some bigger rocks spread throughout the bay. Access to the island is more gentler and easier from north bay.

The south bay beach has many logs, and a steep step incline make access to the camping area more difficult. The southwest winds make the south bay rougher and will push boats around.

The waters in Padilla Bay fluctuate due to the tides. Be aware of the tides to keep your boat from becoming "high and dry."

Picnic and Day-use Facilities

One picnic site is available. There is no potable water or garbage service on the island. Visitors must pack out what they pack in.

Wildlife

Mammals	Birds	Fish & Sea Life
	• Eagles • Herons	• Seals

Environmental Features

Physical Features		Plant Life
Two rocky knobs separated by a narrow "saddle" of land give the island its name. Wildflowers bloom on the island between April and May, much earlier than other sites in the San Juan archipelago.