James Island Marine State Park

Located in the San Juans, James Island is only accessible by boat. The island is right along the ferry route and the campground is easily identifiable if you have visited. The camping is wonderful centered in the island with beaches on both sides. Some sites have incredible views. There are forested trails although some are on high bluffs so beware of where your kids are roaming. Other than the main camp area in the saddle (10 sites), there are two smaller camps. The East Cove campground is a short walk from the Saddle area and has four campsites, while the West Cove is specific for kayakers with 3 sites, part of the Cascadia Marine Trail. Each camp has nice toilets. The surrounding waters of the island have some swift current, but salmon and bottom fishing adjacent to the island is reported as very good. There is no potable water on the island and no garbage service.

James Island was named by the American explorer and naval officer, Commander Charles Wilkes, during the United States Exploring Expedition in 1841. The island was named for Reuben James, a U.S. sailor who saved the life of naval officer Stephen Decatur, the namesake of nearby Decatur Island during a battle with Tripoli in North Africa. In 1875, the federal government set the island aside as a lighthouse reservation but no lighthouse was ever built on the island. The property was transferred to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission in 1964 and officially named James Island State Park in 1974.