From emerald Evergreen forests and steel grey cliffs to sweeping grassy meadows and rocky shorelines lined with driftwood, there’s no shortage of natural beauty to discover here, and the best way to do just that is on these fantastic San Juan Island hikes. There are a handful of state parks that are an excellent place to start, including the two sections of the San Juan Island National Historical Park, Lime Kiln Point State Park, and Mount Finlayson.
The collection of San Juan Island hikes offers people of all skill levels and experiences an option to explore the wilderness. From places for leisurely strolls and nature gazing to challenging elevation climbs and intense trails, you’ll find it all here. The surrounding San Juan Islands also offer a variety of difficulty and diversity, from mountains to more relaxed hikes around the beaches or lakes.
Explore the best of the San Juan Islands from our conveniently located Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast just a couple of blocks from the Washington State Ferry dock. Enjoy warm, attentive service, luxurious accommodations, exquisite food and wine, and an unparalleled escape to a beautiful northwest destination. We have lodging options for all styles of getaways, including family and pet-friendly suites. Head over to our availability calendar and book your lodging today!
Lace Up Your Boots: fantastic San Juan Island Hikes
Whether you’re looking for something easy and pretty or challenging and rewarding, there are quite a few San Juan Island hikes to fit all of these descriptions. There’s no shortage of fresh air, stunning scenery, and wildlife to spot along the way, making hiking in the San Juan Islands something that should be on everyone’s agenda.
Here are 5 of our favorite San Juan Island hikes to enjoy this summer:
- Upland Trail at Lime Kiln State Park: One of the most popular places on San Juan Island is Lime Kiln Point State Park. It’s known as one of the world’s best places for whale watching, but it’s also a fun place to hike around! The trail at the park is just over a mile and a half, which makes it one of the easier—though still very pleasant—San Juan Island hikes. Don’t forget your binoculars on this trip because you never know what you might catch a glimpse of swimming out in the Salish Sea.
- Young Hill Trail at English Camp: For a great view looking north towards Canada, head to the Young Hill Trail at English Camp National Park. There, you’ll find some gentle climbs through a beautiful forest before coming to a grassy ledge and a stunning view. It’s one of our favorite San Juan Island hikes.
- South Beach Trail at American Camp: The South Beach Trail, also at the American Camp National Park, is relatively easy and fantastic at only 2.8 miles total and well worth your time. It’s a great place to spot wildlife, and several glacial erratics (or boulders) were left behind as the last glaciers retreated. Take in the views at Cattle Point Lighthouse, located at the southernmost tip of the island. Here, you’ll find panoramic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the distant Olympic Mountains, not to mention views of the lighthouse itself, which has stood here since 1888.
- Mount Finlayson Trail at American Camp: If you want a slightly different view of this same lighthouse, head to Mount Finlayson at the American Camp National Park. This 3.5-mile trail overlooks the Cattle Point Lighthouse and the surrounding grasslands and is one of our favorite San Juan Island hikes, and it also happens to be one of the best birdwatching locations on the island. This trailhead also offers access to a few side trails that lead down to the lagoons—Jakle’s Lagoon Trail is a great one that weaves through a dense fern-covered cedar forest and meanders down to the water.
- Afterglow Vista at Roche Harbor: Afterglow Vista, also known as the McMillin Memorial Mausoleum, is an easily accessible trail that leads you through an ancient cemetery to an open-air memorial to the family of John S. McMillin, a leader in the limestone trade discovered in the late 1800s on San Juan Island. This is one of the best San Juan Island hikes for all skill levels, and you can head down to the charming area of Roche Harbor after for lunch, shopping, and touring the marina.
Cozy Lodging at our Top-Rated Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast
After a day exploring the best San Juan Island hikes, you’ll love returning to our Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast to rest your well-worn muscles. Choice rooms offer outdoor hot tubs and in-room double jacuzzi tubs, so pick accordingly to the style of getaway you’re craving! You’ll have everything you need to relax, refresh, and recuperate for the next day’s adventure.
One of the best places to refuel is Coho Restaurant, just a block from our Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast. Allow us to make a reservation for you, and you’ll be steps away from a fantastic farm-to-table feast. We only use local ingredients and support our local businesses and farms to the best of our ability. A scratch-made meal at Coho Restaurant is bound to be one of the most memorable events on your vacation to San Juan Island! You’ll also love our award-winning wine selection and desserts.
Even better, as a guest at our Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast, we also take care of your morning meal. We take the same care and attention to preparations as they do at Coho, and you’ll love our homemade breakfast dishes—always paired with piping hot coffee, orange juice, and more. We can’t wait to host you; make your reservation today!
