San Juan Island National Historical Park

San Juan Island National Historical Park protects two separate 19th-century military and civilian sites on San Juan Island, known as American Camp and English Camp, that relate to a peaceful boundary dispute between the United States and Britain. The park interprets the period of joint occupation and settlement on the island.

Trails, interpretive exhibits and restored structures allow visitors to explore grassland and coastal landscapes where camps, blockhouses and settlements were established. The park also preserves archaeological remains, historic features and views used for military observation.

The sites date to the 1859-1872 period of joint occupation that arose from an unresolved maritime boundary in the Haro Strait; the camps represent the American and British presence on the island during that diplomatic standoff. The area has been managed for preservation and public interpretation since its designation as a national historical park.

The park occupies both the southern and northern ends of San Juan Island in Puget Sound, Washington, a short distance from the island’s main town of Friday Harbor and accessible by ferry or air from the regional mainland.

• Why it matters: The park preserves the two separate 19th-century encampments associated with the peaceful international occupation called the Pig War boundary dispute.

What to See#

• American Camp: A large camp on the southern tip of San Juan Island preserving sites, trails and interpretive exhibits about the American military and civilian presence during the 19th-century occupation.
• English Camp: A historic British encampment located on the northern end of the island, with preserved earthworks, restored buildings and interpretive signage about the Anglo-American military presence.

San Juan Island National Historical Park is on San Juan Island; the usual approach is to drive to Anacortes on Fidalgo Island and take a Washington State Ferries sailing to Friday Harbor, or to fly/seaplane into Friday Harbor Airport. From Friday Harbor you can reach the park units by car, taxi, bicycle or local shuttle services - distances vary by unit (some are several miles from the ferry landing).

• Plan to visit one park unit at a time-English Camp and American Camp are separate and each offers different historic buildings and coastal viewpoints; allow transit time between them.
• Go early or late in the day to increase your chances of spotting marine wildlife from the shoreline and to avoid the midday surge of day-trip ferry traffic from Friday Harbor.
• If you'll be driving, leave Friday Harbor before the main ferry rush or arrive by foot/bike from town to avoid limited parking at the park trailheads.