General Information
Visitors are advised to stop at the Information Center in Friday Harbor (near First and Spring steets) to obtain up-to-date information about the two historic sites. Winter hours are 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Mon-Fri. with extended hours during the summer months.

English Camp lies in tree-sheltered Garrison Bay, about 9 miles northwest of Friday Harbor. Four historic buildings and a small formal garden have been restored. The barracks has an audiovisual program explaining the territorial conflict between the United States and Great Britain from 1859 to 1872. Buildings are open daily in summer and usually closed from early fall to late spring.

American Camp is located on the southern tip of the Island, about 6 miles southeast of Friday Harbor. Two historic buildings survive, along with the remains of a redoubt (an earthern gun emplacement). Other building sites are identified, including the locations of the Hudson's Bay Company farm, the old town of San Juan, and the American Camp Cemetery. Visitor Center exhibits focus on archaeology and daily life in both camps. The Center is open Thursday through Sunday during the fall, winter, and spring (excluding federal holidays) from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and open daily during the summer with extended hours. A ranger is on duty to provide information.

Food, Lodging, Picnicing, Camping
Picnic areas are available at both camps. Fires are not allowed at English Camp.

The park is for day-use only (open from dawn to 11 p.m.); no overnight camping is allowed in either unit of the park. Private campgrounds are available on San Juan Island, as well as San Juan County-owned campgrounds.

Food, lodging, and other visitor services are concentrated at Friday Harbor, as well as Roche Harbor.

Hiking

English Camp

Short dayhikes are available on the Bell Point Trail (fairly level) as well as the steep trail to English Camp Cemetery and Young Hill (elevation 650 ft./198 m).

 

English Camp

Bell Point	2 mile loop	Walk the mile-long, fairly level trail to Bell Point for a view of Westcott Bay. If you like to harvest shellfish, check with the park ranger at the visitor center for locations, daily limits, and red tide warnings.
Young Hill	1.25 mile	Hike the fairly steep trail up 650 feet to the top of Young Hill for a panoramic view of the island's northwest corner. The English Camp cemetery is along the way, holding the remains of six Royal Marines.
English Formal Garden		The garden lies between the officers' quarters sites and the English Camp ground. The camp's second commanding officer had it built for his family to remind them of home.

American Camp

A self-guiding foot trail (approx. 1 mile long) takes you to the historic structures and Redoubt. Several other short dayhikes are also available including Jakle's Lagoon Trail (follows old roadbed through Douglas Fir forest to Jakle's Lagoon), Mt. Finalyson Trail (climbs to the 290 ft/88 m summit of Mt. Finalyson, with superb views), and along South Beach.

 

American Camp

Jakle's Lagoon	1.5 mile	Hike along the old roadbed and enjoy the quiet of a Douglas fir canopy. This wooded area shelters deer and many types of birds.
Mt. Finlayson	3 mile loop	Hike to the top of Mt. Finlayson where you can see Mt. Baker to the east, Mt. Rainier to the southeast, the Olympic Mountains to the south and British Columbia to the west.
South Beach	2 miles	Walk along the longest public beach on the island where shore birds abound. During low tides, observe tide pool life (please do not harm) along the rocky shoreline toward Grandma's Cove.
Self-guiding Walk	1.25 mile loop	Relive the Pig War along the trail that starts in the Visitor Center parking lot. Guide booklet at trailhead or for purchase at Visitor Center. Walkers are advised to use caution as rabbits have dug many holes in the parade ground and redoubt areas. Stepping in a hole can cause injuries.