Location

Northwestern San Juan Island in Georgia Strait, 5 miles NNW of Orcas Island and 2.5 miles NW of Sucia Island, San Juan County.

Acreage

207.4 acres with 20,000 feet of saltwater shoreline.

Acquired

Administered under an agreement with the Federal Bureau of Land Management.

Historical Background

The island was named by the Spanish Expedition of 1792. Patos means ducks. The Wilkes Expedition renamed it Gourd Island. However, in 1874, Captain Henry Kellett restored the original name to the British Admiralty chart.

Facilities

U.S. Coast Guard dock, lighthouse, duplex dwelling. The navigation light and fog horn structures are battery operated and have been automated. The park has 7 campsites, 1 vault toilet, 2 pit toilets, 1 bulletin board, 2 moorage buoys and a 1.5-mile loop hiking trail.   No Drinking water.  Garbage: pack-it-out.

Activities

Primitive camping, picnicking, saltwater fishing, hiking and clam digging.    Wildflower bloom April through June.

Of Special Interest

Colony of prickly pear cactus was discovered on the island.

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