With selected Parks, Docks, and Trailer Boat Ramps
• Boat Ramps = Purple • Parks = Red• Docks = Green
Most docks (floats) are in parks, resorts, marinas and may be used for overnight camping. Boat launching ramps have long-term parking. Parks without docks have anchor buoys or areas suitable for anchoring.
The facilities listed, are in my opinion, most useful for cruisers, which means lots of private resorts are not shown because they don't cater to transient boaters. Click on the picture and then enlarge it to see dot colors better!
Note on trip planning:
I don't recommend taking your boat on a ferry and launching somewhere in the islands. However if you must, there are county ramps on all four islands served by the ferries except Shaw. Many private resorts have ramps but they are inferior at best, nonfunctional at worst. The one exception is Jackson Beach Park (Port of Friday Harbor) near Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Jackson has a good double ramp and float and you can park for free up to 72 hours.
The mainland ramps I recommend are Washington Park, Deception Pass Park or Squalicum Harbor (#1 choice most trips is Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham)
This post first appeared in the web site in 2011. Parking and launching fees at Cornet Bay have since gone up a little.
Camping, traveling, vacation rentals, condo's and resorts on a budget,
is it even possible?
Yes it is. Inexpensive (cheap) vacations are possible if you, "go by boat" or yacht as some say. The trick is to already own the yacht and then camp on it at all the great places. Think of it like going to RV parks only without the garish over the top land schooners parked in the best spots.
Okay, no more promos for boat camping. Assuming you are a newbie to the San Juan Island boating group, you may be wanting to know why you should start at Deception Pass State Park if you are headed for the islands.
The Simple answer is, the park has the best all weather, all tide launching ramp and long term parking lot. Plus, Deception Pass is one of the places to see that you should not miss, and the Cornet Bay dock is a wonderful place to hangout overnight, or for a few days or longer.
The Google photos above with labels will help you to orient yourself. Because slow boats must time their passage through the pass you may find yourself spending the night at the dock. I always plan to spend the first night at the dock because after driving six hours, rigging and launching my sailboat, it's late and I'm tired. My crew can fish, hike and race around in the dinghy while I take a break. The next day I'm ready to go, and cast off at slack tide which may be at noon or 9am. The time doesn't matter, I'm on vacation time now.
The launch fee is around $6, parking is $10/day and staying at the dock is 50 cents a foot. The ramp has three or four lanes with floats. Trailer parking is abundant and long-term. You can anchor out for free, anytime, anywhere. There is a fist of quarters shower that short times you in the bathroom. Lots of locals and campers come down to fish off the floats, but boats tying up have priority. Try explaining that to a fisherman.
It is a very short run out the pass, under the bridge and into the Strait of Juan De Fuca, where high seas or fog may cause you to change your plans, if so, just head the other way to Swinomish Channel. If you have never cruised the channel before, do it for sure, it only adds about 15 miles to your trip and is well worthwhile. Or when you come back a week or so later, use the channel, but try to work it into your plans. FYI, your boat will need to make 10 mph or better to overcome the worst of pass current, otherwise you will have to time it like the rest of us. Of course with a favorable current you can rush on through, but the standing waves can be pretty big at times and an open bow boat will seem like a poor choice. The pass is narrowest directly under the bridge, so you will have a fast current for only a very short distance.
Dock and ramp at Deception Pass State Park (Cornet Bay)
You should run through Deception Pass for the beauty of it.
Next door is Canoe Pass,
and while navigable, should only be used at slack water, is very narrow and sight distance restricted right under the bridge, it is a little creepy when the whirlpools turn on and begin spinning you towards the rock cliff face. Sometimes we take our 9' dinghy with its 7.5 hp motor around Pass Island and wave to the gawkers on the bridge, but when the flood or ebb starts cascading, a tiny little dinghy has no business in either pass.
When you come back a week or so later and are ready to head home you can wait for slack water outside the pass at the dock in Sharpe Cove or Bowman Bay.
I always spend my last night at the dock, and get a good rest for the long drive home.
Here's a link to the marine parks locating map marine parks maps etc. click here
Tall ship ghosting through the pass at high slack water (photo taken from the bridge)
In 60 minutes standing waves 3-6 feet tall may form and the current will be 5-8 mph
I would be remiss to not point out that most boats can transit the pass a good deal before or after slack water, slack water is simply zero current like in the picture. Also, don't forget Swinomish Channel is just around the corner and avoids the pass altogether.
Click below for a satellite view of Deception Pass
Taking your boat for a camping vacation cruise isn't expensive or difficult if you know the places to go and what to do.
If you're going to camp on the boat or on shore, I recommend that you start out in Bellingham or Deception Pass State Park. But if you need or want a campground with a launch ramp for your home base, you should reserve a site at Washington Park in Anacortes.
Boat ramps with parking:
#1 Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham - unlimited free parking, fresh water rinse hoses, guest docks, restaurants, nice showers (you will be glad you began and ended your trip here)
(updated 10/1/21) I just became aware that Squalicum Harbor has changed their free parking to FIVE days maximum. This is bad news for some of us that like to take 7-10 day cruises. I recommend calling them. Cornet Bay requires payment but at least has longer parking.
#2 Cornet Bay at Deception Pass State Park - lots of pay to park, guest docks, nice place to hang out before, after and during your vacation. Only minutes from Anacortes.
#3 La Conner (south end of Swinomish Channel) single lane city ramp, float, on street parking, cheap fees, nearby guest docks. Current to deal with.
#4 Washington Park in Anacortes - limited pay parking, double ramps with float but open to swell and waves from Geumes Channel, no guest docks, very nice on site campground, easy bike ride or hike to ferry.
#5 Twin Bridges (north end Swinomish Channel) County ramp, limited pay parking, small float that's dry at low tide, security risk area NOTE: It's just a little further to La Conner and well worth it!
#6 Oak Harbor - free ramp, $2/day parking, guest docks nearby, full marina services nearby, long walk to town! long ways to San Juans for slow boats.
#7 Cap Sante in Anacortes should not be listed because they have a sling, not a ramp, Cap Sante would be a second choice if you want to sling your boat in. Guest docks and big RV or trailer pay parking lot. (you can spend a lot of bucks here)
Note: Taking your boat and trailer by ferry to the islands is probably a bad idea because ramps and parking are inferior or not available. However, launching a skiff you can muscle around off the beach at a county park with no float is very doable.
Click on picture to make it bigger!
For first timers, see articles titled "San Juan Islands for First Timers"
Click below
If you find some useful places on the orientation map below, you will want to click this link of Parks and Islands to zoom in on details of specific parks.
If camping is your primary activity and your boat is for day use such as exploring, fishing and crabbing, you will find these parks of interest.
On the mainland:
Washington Park in Anacortes - located one mile past the ferry landing.
Washington Park boat ramp in Anacortes
Excerpt from their website: In the campground there are 68 campsites, 46 have water and electrical hook-ups. These rent for $27 a night. There are 22 non-utility sites that rent for $21 per night. There are 25 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that reservations must be made 14 days in advance. A sewer dump station is located near the park exit. Camping check-in and check-out time is 1 p.m. The campground is open year round. Please note: Maximum stay limit is 14 days. Visit the reservation website. click here >>Washington ParkThe boat launch at Washington Park was developed and is maintained for the specific use of recreational boaters. Boat launch parking is $9/day and boaters may stay a maximum of 14 days. The two lane launch ramp is suitable for all trailer-able boats, power or sail. You may not overnight at dock, but may anchor nearby. Ramp is a short walk to campground.
Deception Pass State Park - roughly ten miles south of Anacortes. It is important to note some of the differences between Washington Park and Deception Pass Park. While Deception Pass camp sites exceed three hundred in three different campgrounds, none are walking distance to the four lane boat ramp at Cornet Bay. However the modern well designed boat ramp claims to have two thousand feet of side tie moorage and overnight at the dock for up to three nights is allowed. Anchoring close by is simple and free. The ramp parking lot is massive and long term is allowed for a fee.
Four lane all tide - Cornet Bay ramp at Deception Pass Park is open 24/7
Lastly: Those putting in at Washington Park will be much closer to the inner island area after simply crossing Rosario Strait (four miles), but those putting in at Cornet Bay will have to deal with the pass and a longer run up Rosario or an even longer run through Swinomish Channel. These are not insignificant differences and should be well considered according to your overall plan before making your decision.
In the Islands:
Odlin County Park on Lopez Island
Odlin park has thirty one campsites and reservations are a good idea. The boat ramp is sub parr at best and is not suitable for anything but a small skiff and a four wheel drive. There is no ramp dock and best used at high tide only. The ramp is a short walk to the campground.
San Juan County Park on San Juan Island
San Juan park is very similar to Odlin park with twenty six sites, they also take reservations.
The boat ramp is also sub parr and should only be considered for skiffs being hauled with four wheel drives, again the ramp is in the park and there is no float.
Moran State Park on Orcas Island is a State Park as is Deception Pass.
They boast over one hundred campsites, some suitable for RV's. Moran park is not ocean front and does not have a salt water ramp, however it is only five miles to the county boat ramp at Obstruction Pass.
A private park alternative on Orcas Island is West Beach Resort in Eastsound
They have camping, docks, fuel, deli store and a boat ramp, suitable for skiffs and four wheel drives.
San Juan Island:
If you take your skiff to San Juan Island and stay at a private residence, rental or hotel you can put the boat in at Jackson Beach day use park. The ramp is well designed, has parking and a dock. Jackson Beach is about two miles from Friday Harbor.
Ferries and trailers:
Don't forget to check the ferry schedules and fares, hauling trailers on the ferry can get expensive and frustrating - very few cruisers do it!
My recommendation for mainland camping is that you get a reservation and camp at Washington Park, the run time to Friday Harbor is under an hour, the entire San Juan area will be at your door.
Click below to see a satellite view of Washington Park
Traveling to the San Juan's requires a starting point, a jump off point where you can leave your rig. "Washington Park" and "Cap Sante Boat Haven" in Anacortes fill the bill.
Washington park has a campground
and a boat ramp with a float. You can reserve your camp site in advance, launch and retrieve your boat every day to make day trips, or take an extended cruise into the islands knowing your campground is waiting for you when you return. You may also choose to not stay at the campground, just launch your boat, and leave your car and trailer in the long term parking lot while you're in the San Juans.
Cap Sante does not have a ramp but has a sling
and a travel lift to launch your boat, they can also assist stepping sailboat masts. Guest space is usually available at the dock and long term parking for your car and trailer are just steps away. You should make arrangements ahead of time for the travel lift and guest docks
There are several other places I recommend over these two depending on where I'm going and other plans.
What and where is the best launch ramp with long term parking
Places to go, and places to travel are easy to find in the San Juans. For me cheap travel is part of the deal. What can be less expensive than going on a cruise with your own boat, it's like having your own condo rental or vacation house with you all the time. Okay maybe boat camping is a little squeezed, but the big problem is, where do you launch, and where do you leave your car for a week or more? Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham is a resounding first choice and parking is free, (Update: better check with harbormaster) no others come close for time, distance, convenience, facilities, none in my opinion.!
Marked on the chart above with red dots is a four lane two float all tide modern 24/7 ramp, parking, and the overnight visitor docks. The parking lot is huge and they have an overflow lot too. Fresh water wash down hoses are free for you to use. Ramp fee is $5 and there is no parking fee, that's right it's free, even long term is free. (call about free) How cheap can you travel, ( I mean less expensive) Next to the parking area is a restaurant, 24 hour bathrooms, and showers. Across the street is a marine store. Out on the floats, they have transient boater dock space. Payment is self serve at the automated kiosks.
You may think by looking at maps that Bellingham is far from the Islands, but it is actually the closest jump off point for travel to Sucia, Matia, Patos and Stuart. For those camping and traveling on a budget it's your only choice.link to really great map with parks marked, click here
Map of San Juan Island Area
With selected Parks, Docks, and
Trailer Boat Ramps
The boat ramps (purple) are all on the mainland The ramps in the islands are not suitable for cruisers.
• Boat Ramps = Purple • Parks = Red• Docks = Green
Most docks (floats) are in parks, resorts, marinas and may be used for overnight camping. Boat launching ramps have long term parking. Parks without docks have anchor buoys or areas suitable for anchoring.
This is not all the parks, just the ones you may want to make part of your cruising. It's unlikely you can visit all in one trip and still do a decent job of sightseeing. You should plan multiple visits to the San Juans.
Many people choose Jones as their favorite for just hanging for a few days, so Jones is first.
For hiking, Sucia, or Pelican Beach on Cypress Island are the best, but all the parks have hiking trails.
Some parks are in a convenient location when you need to spend the night and you're between destinations, Saddle Bag, Eagle Harbor, and Odlin would fit this description.
Most parks with docks have picnic tables on the floats, which are very handy for extending your living area, socializing, and meeting other boaters.
For marinas/etc. where you can get fuel and provisions try this list >> Marinas - fuel - beer and ice - slips for rent
Jones Island
James Island
Clark Island
Doe Island (possibly still gone) we miss it
Obstruction Pass
Pelican Beach
Eagle Harbor
Cypress Head
Matia
Patos
Sucia
Stuart Island (Prevost & Reid Harbor)
Spencer Spit
Odlin County Park
Washington Park
Deception Pass Park
Saddlebag Island
Sidney Spit Marine Park (Canada)
Click here to go to complete description and maps of above listed parks
Should you take your boat trailer on the ferry and get off somewhere? NO! - I don't recommend it unless you are going to a resort that has a ramp and you plan to rent a cabin -- plan on spending substantial time waiting in ferry lines. Be forewarned, some so-called local ramps are simply sandy beaches with no docks. Plus the ferry rates for trailers - ouch.
If you carry kayaks on the roof, riding a ferry makes good sense. My #1 suggestion for kayakers that don't want to paddle across Rosario Strait -- go to Deer Harbor on Orcas Island, park your car and paddle two miles to Jones Island for a night or two camping.
Let's say you carry a kayak on the roof or trailer a day-sailer and plan on camping on shore, and you don't want to deal with ferries - do this. Drive to Washington Park in Anacortes, (campground and ramp) set up your camp, splash your boat and sail or paddle to either Pelican Beach on Cypress or Saddlebag Island. Spend the night or come back each evening. Using the currents, you can avoid difficult paddling or fluky sailing if that's what works for you.
Hint, use the search box and search Saddlebag or Cypress or Pelican Beach or Deer Harbor, or Jones.
Someone told me they thought this article had some merit,
so I re-posted it here, you decide.
Just because it's on a trailer, doesn't mean you should haul it down the highway
See the Bombay Project for a blow by blow description of this tsunami rescue
I tried to find a suitable article written by someone with firsthand experience pulling trailers. All the ones I found were pretty worthless so I wrote an article myself. I have many years hauling around construction equipment, boats and camp trailers. Rather than try to put together something sensible, I will just do a Q&A thing. This article may entertain you old timers and help a few newbie’s. If you disagree with something, feel free to post comments.
First frequently asked question is “how much can my car/truck haul? The answer requires more questions. Do you mean safely? Without voiding warranty? How far? Any big long hills? Auto or clutch? Make model and condition? As you can see it’s a complicated question, so let’s cut to the chase. On the door jamb of your car is a tag with the factory approved weights your vehicle is designed to carry and tow. If you are trying to limit your liability in an accident you should heed the numbers. You can easily exceed load limits without being aware, if you do you may shorten the life of your automatic transmission, you may overheat, you may not have the experience to stay out of trouble.
Next; “ how much tongue weight should I have”One rule of thumb is
click on "read more"
%2Bfor%2Bthe%2BSan%2BJuans-1.JPG "San Juan Islands map or boat ramps")
