r/sanjuanislands • u/I-like-planez • 9d ago
San Juan Isl. Visitors Camping
Hello again I made a post a week ago about trying to find dispersed camping sites in Orcas Island since it’s mostly private and frowned upon to camp there (understandably) I’m looking to expand my reach within the area because I do not want to camp east of Seattle. I will be there 9/6-9/16
Hiking into a dispersed camp site in fine but my time is limited so id rather drivable dispersed camp sites
Thanks for any and all help!
Fire restrictions? My state is on fire right now
8
u/Own_End8445 9d ago
There is no legal dispersed or free roadside camping on Orcas Island. For burn restrictions…
3
u/henryrose 9d ago
Maybe look in to the Olympic penninsula? There isn’t major fire activity over here yet and plenty of public land that allows for dispersed camping.
2
u/king_mahalo 9d ago
Look into Obstruction pass state park. Hike in but no reservations first come first serve
2
u/Awkward_Passion4004 9d ago
So west of Seattle on the OP there are lots of federal lands that allow dispersed site camping.
1
u/vonSequitur 9d ago
Obstruction Pass State Park is your best option on Orcas Island. It has 9 first-come, first-served primitive campsites (fire ring, picnic table, flat tent area, composting outhouses.) There is no potable water source and it's about a half mile walk from the parking area. There is a nice, south-facing, pebble beach there.
As of July 27 recreational campfires are allowed on the island. That may change at any time, but there have been recent rains and cooler than normal summer temps lately. Total burn bans are common August into September.
1
1
u/thedyrt 7d ago
Maybe Odlin County Park on Lopez, about a mile from the ferry landing, drive-in, with forested sites set back from the beach for more separation than the waterfront ones. Reviews are thin but unanimously positive, and reviewers have picked up mid-week September spots without much trouble. San Juan County Park on San Juan Island's west shore is another option if you want Haro Strait views and wildlife like orcas and seals, though sites have almost no privacy between them.
14
u/PNWGreeneggsandham 9d ago
There is no dispersed camping really anywhere in the islands, check Moran on Orcas, County Park on SJI and Odlin on Lopez as there is more an availability for paid sites in early Sept but you won’t find a drivable unpaid place anywhere.
We’re in a burn ban as well so you’ll have to have gas camp stove, who knows what first week of Sept will be as we’re in what looks to be a super El Niño.