Park overview:
James Island State Park is a 113-acre marine camping and moorage park with 12, 335 feet of saltwater shoreline on Rosario Strait. The park features a beautiful western view of the San Juan islands from a high bluff along the loop trail.
Campsite Information:
James Island has 13 campsites at three locations on the island.
The Water Trail Site is on a hill above a pocket cove of the West Cove and has three campsites (sites 11-13) and a pit toilet. These campsites are part of the Cascadia Marine Trail and are strictly reserved for use by boats arriving by human- or wind-powered watercraft.
The Saddle area spans from the West Cove shoreline across the island to the East Cove. There are six campsites (sites 5-10), a picnic shelter and two picnic sites, composting toilet facilities, pay station and moorage dock. A trail leads to the East Cove where there are four offshore mooring buoys. The loop trail system starts and ends here. The bottom structure at the West Cove is rocky and steeply sloped. It is not a good anchorage site.
The East Cove campground is a short walk from the Saddle area and has four campsites (sites 1-4), one pit toilet, bulletin board and pay station. From here, the loop trail leads southwest to the Water Trail campsites on the southwest side of the West Cove. Boaters moored in the East Cove are exposed to wakes from boat traffic in Rosario Strait.
There is no potable water on the island and no garbage service. Visitors need to pack-out what they pack-in.
Boats may not use dinghies to reserve moorage space on the dock or buoys. Campers and boaters must self register and pay fees at the bulletin board/pay station.
The nearest fuel and groceries are at Anacortes.
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).
2010 FeesStandard campsite, $19.
Full utility campsite, $26.
Partial utility campsite, $25.
Primitive campsite and water trail camping, $12
An additional $3 fee (standard) or $5 fee (utility) may be charged for select premium campsites at some parks.
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 hoursCheck-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.
Park hours/updates:
The park is open year round to camping and day use.
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 operation from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Park Winter Schedule
| Campground Closes |
| Campground Reopens |
| Day-Use Closes |
| Day-Use Reopens |
| Watercraft Launch Closes |
| Watercraft Launch Reopens | |
| Open |
| Open |
| Open |
| Open |
| None |
| None |
|
Winter Schedule for all Washington State Parks
Driving Directions
James Island is located three miles west of Anacortes and half-mile east of Decatur Island on Rosario Strait in San Juan County.
N 48.30' 47" W 122.46'24"
James Island State Park is reachable only by boat. The nearest access is Washington Park and Skyline Marina in Anacortes.
Park Maps
List of all downloadable Washington State Park
maps.
Park Features
Much of James Island has been designated a Natural Forest Area and is closed to public access, except for designated recreational areas and trails. Loop trails around the central and southwest portions of the island offer 1.5 miles of hiking trails.
The informal trail around the north part of the island is not open for use. Please do not hike in the northern half of the island."
History
The Wilkes Expedition named the island in 1841 to honor the earlier heroism of an American sailor, Reuben James. The federal government acquired the island and transferred it to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission in 1964.
Interpretive opportunities
There are currently no interpretive opportunities at this park.
Services/Supplies
None
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
• 1.5 mi. Hiking Trails
| • Boating (saltwater)
• Diving
• Fishing (saltwater)
• Crabbing
• Oysters
| |
James Island offers great short hikes with dramatic views from high bluffs. Hikers with children should be aware of fall hazards due to rocky high banks and cliffs and surrounding waters that are deep and swift. |
Boating Features
The park has five mooring buoys (four in East Cove and one in West Cove). Mooring buoys remain in place year round.
Moorage fees are charged year round from 1 p.m. to 8 a.m.
West Cove has a dock with a 44-foot moorage float (88 linear feet). The float is removed from October through March, to protect it from winter storm damage.
No boats more than 45 feet are permitted on buoys. Please observe rafting limits posted on each buoy.
Salmon and bottom fishing is good in waters adjacent to James Island State Park.
Events
Full list of
events at Washington State Parks
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
West Cove has a composting toilet, while East Cove has one pit toilet.
Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
• Deer or Elk
• Raccoons
| | |
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | | Plant Life | |
| | |
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Park photo gallery