James Island Marine State Park
Also known as James Island State Park
Notice: Burn Ban - Level 1 — details
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 8 a.m. – sunset
- Entrance fee
- See fee details
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- parks.wa.gov(360) 376-2073
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 2
Fire restriction Burn Ban - Level 1Fires allowed in all designated fire pits and grills. Propane and gas grills allowed.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Alert GeneralDrinking water is not available on James Island Marine State Park. Please plan accordingly and pack in your own water.
Posted by the park 2025-06-16. Official alert
Overview
James Island Marine State Park is a 581-acre marine park in San Juan County, about 7 miles west of Anacortes.
Visitors come for snorkeling and diving, canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, and hiking. Water access includes a swimming beach. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – sunset | — |
Official wording
8 a.m. - Dusk year round
Winter Schedule: Learn about seasonal closures and operational changes during the off-season on the Winter Schedule page.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Moorage - Docks and buoys | $23 |
| Moorage - Docks and buoys | $1 |
Official wording
• Moorage - Docks and buoys: $23 for buoy, $1 per vessel foot for dock
Washington park passes
- Discover Pass (annual) — $45. Day-use vehicle access to state parks (and DNR/WDFW lands) Details
- Discover Pass (one-day) — $10. Day-use vehicle access for one day Details
From the Washington state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Not required
- Booking system
- Camis (washington.goingtocamp.com)
- Phone
- (888) 226-7688
James Island is an ideal retreat with 13 primitive campsites available first-come, first-served.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs Allowed on Leash • Dogs Allowed on Leash
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Camping
James Island is an ideal retreat with 13 primitive campsites available first-come, first-served.
The East Cove campground (sites 1-4) has access to a pit toilet, bulletin board and a pay station. A hiking trail leads southwest to the campsites on the West Cove.
The Saddle Area campsites (sites 5-10) have access to a picnic shelter and two picnic sites, composting toilet facilities, a pay station and moorage dock. The park's loop trail system also starts and ends at this campground.
The West Cove campsites (sites 11-13) have a pit toilet. These sites are reserved for those arriving by human or wind-powered boats and are part of the Cascadia Marine Trail.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BoatingCampingFishingHikingCanoeing and kayakingSnorkeling and scubaPicnicking
Swimming
Water activities and beach access
Water activities include boating, clamming, oyster harvesting, diving saltwater fishing. Salmon and bottom fishing is especially good in the waters adjacent to James Island.
Boating and paddling
Moorage
Moorage is available on both sides of the island. Docks and mooring buoys remain in place year-round.
The West Cove has a 128-foot dock. The East Cove has four buoys with phone-in registration available. Please note that moorage in the East Cove is exposed to wakes from boat traffic in the Rosario Strait.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
Water
- Swimming beach
Camping
- Tent camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Rules and permits
- Dogs Allowed on Leash
- Boat-in Only
No potable water or garbage is available on the island. Practice Leave No Trace principles. Read our blog to learn more about the LNT principles.
Moorage rules
Boats longer than 45 feet are not permitted on the buoys. Please observe rafting limits posted on each buoy. Dinghies cannot be used to reserve moorage space on the dock or at buoys.
All boats, including boats rafted to another boat, must self-register and pay moorage fees upon arrival. Moorage fees are charged year round for mooring at docks, floats and buoys from 1 p.m. to 8 a.m. Daily and annual permits are available.
Trail safety
When hiking with children, please be aware of fall hazards around tall rocky banks and cliffs. Be aware that the surrounding waters are deep and swift.
Fishing and shellfish harvesting
A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington State Parks. For regulations, fishing season information, or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Getting there
- Nearest town
- Anacortes — about 7 mi west (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 48.5123, -122.7751
- Phone
- (360) 376-2073
- sucia.island@parks.wa.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Washington State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Washington State Parks Find Parks directory (paged Drupal view), joined to WSPRC ParkBoundaries ArcGIS layer for coordinates/category
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology