Turn Island State Park Campground

Raccoons. Turn Island is just outside of Friday Harbor which makes for fun boat watching but also can mean considerable traffic. There are a few sites on the island, my favorites are to the western side. I’ve visited both via small sailboat and kayak. There are composting toilets available and a short trail around the island.

This island is just east of San Juan Island and about 3.5 miles from Friday Harbor. It offers two beaches for camping. The north beach has at least 4 mooring buoys for sailing or motor vessels, in addition to nice beach sites. The west beach is better for sea kayak landing or small boat haul up, with about 12 or so sites. Great for sunset or sunrise.

No water or power is available at this island, however the composting toilets are kept clean, and the island is extremely cute. Be forewarned the raccoon situation is serious, they know how to get into your food. All food should be in hard sided containers, or boat hatches. We flipped our boats over on the beach after witnessing 2 big fellas trying to pull at the hatch covers.

Cost: $12 /night

This place is amazing if you can access it. It's one of the smaller islands in the San Juans and only reachable by private boat. There is no ferry system that comes to this little island so you have it to yourself.

But be warned the critters on this island have taken over. The bees are bold and everywhere during the summer. They don't need provoking.. we were all stung several times.

And the raccoons as cute as they are will walk up to your campsite right in front of you and steal your food. I repeat RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU and will stare you down if you try to scare them away.

I'd stay there again in a heartbeat but I want to warn you if you have small children to keep them safe.