TURN ISLAND STATE PARK
Turn Island State Park is a 35-acre marine park with 16,000 feet of shoreline. The island is part of the San Juan National Wildlife Refuge.
Park hours/updates:
The park is open year round for camping, day use and moorage.
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 use from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Birds ? Owls
The island was originally mapped as a point of land on San Juan Island by the Wilkes Expedition in 1841 and was named Point Salsbury. It was later found to be an island at a turn in San Juan Channel and was named Turn Island on British Admiralty charts of 1858-59. The island is part of the San Juan National Wildlife Refuge.
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the
Discover Pass web page.
Turn Island is a wildlife refuge. Visitors should stay on designated hiking trails, and please do not disturb the wildlife.
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 during the summer; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
The park offers three mooring buoys.
The main area to access the island is on the cove on the northwest harbor, near the mooring buoys. The cove to the west has a reef that extends out from the small island. It is not recommended to use this beach.
Moorage fees are charge year round from 1 p.m. to 8 a.m. All boaters must register and pay upon arrival. Boaters must also pay a fee for boats rafted to another boat.
Enjoy fishing for salmon, rockfish and lingcod from the shore or by boat. Crabbing is also popular here.
This island is within easy kayaking distance from San Juan Island and has lovely camping spots. There is a trail that goes around the perimeter affording a 360 degree scenic view of the area. There are also several mooring bouys for boats.
Due to new no campfire rules, camping on Turn Island is no longer a paradise. This island used to be an annual must stay for our family. The view of the sunset is spectacular from this little oasis. The short hike a fun one for all ages. So, if you like camping without a fire, enjoy!
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