There’s plenty of room to play! It’s a hot spot for lawn games and short hikes where you might find snakes and salamanders. “Waking up to a waterfront scenery was pretty amazing as well. Fuel Up for 8 Memorial Day Road Trips That Aren’t Too Far, Rustic Retreats: Top Spots to Go Yurt Camping in Washington, 15 Washington State Parks with Cool Cabin Rentals, 75 Activities to Add to Your Summer Bucket List. And it’s hard to beat the protected inlet, just off the camping area, that turns into a perfect trial zone for kids to take out kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards when the tide is out. Alki Kayak Tours is a good starting point for beginners. At least a true little sea kayak like the Dagger Alchemy, or an approx’ly 16 ft boat. So I was excited to see a presentation that offered a bit more - a focus on camping aspects and using available data to navigate the tidal currents of the San Juans. Kayaking in the Pacific Northwest is a must when you visit Washington State. “It’s a great place for new paddlers to begin their journey,” says Amanda Lee, Alki Kayak Tours guide. Tom, our guide and the owner was so personable and knowledgeable about the islands, habitat, kayaking, he made the trip so amazing.

These fifty trips in Puget Sound's myriad islands and fjordlike canals and inlets cover the area from Canada's Gulf Islands to the shores of Tacoma, including the fabulous San Juan islands and the unique Hood Canal. Our purpose at the Washington State Parks Foundation is to ensure a vibrant state parks system for generations to enjoy. And even then, there’s no dock, just moorage bouys on the east and west sides that are first come, first served. Jarrell Cove The joy of kayaking in calm waters. Plus, a few walkable options mean you can get off the water and sit down in style if you want to change up your summer boat lifestyle. Sleeping bags, buoys and boats at the ready! As for camping, you’ll find plenty of sites, even a few set aside for groups, so grab your boating pals and make a reservation soon! Kayak instruction combined with a Puget Sound camping adventure in the San Juan Islands. Jun 9, 2017 - Sea Kayaking in Puget Sound with friends. More of a boat glamping experience, Deer Harbor Marina has all the amenities you need to make sleeping on the boat a cush experience with the kids. Kayaking Puget Sound & the San Juan Islands: 60 Trips in Northwest Inland Waters, Including the Gulf Islands By providing your email address,you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Fort Flagler Dick Gilmur Public Access - Puget Sound - Find info about paddling launch sites including directions, ammenities, & fees to plan your next paddling trip! Jones Island State Park Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, by Rob Casey, is a detailed guide book to kayaking and overnighting in these famous paddling destinations. This summer, why not combine the two and maximize your adventure quotient? “This was by far the best camping trip I’ve experienced,” said Angela upon returning from a four-day trip to Jones Island and Stuart Island state parks. Be sure to reserve one of the 19 tent camping sites before you head down to the Key Peninsula to enjoy this special state park. blogherads.defineSlot("medrec", "repeating-content-3").display(); Our advice is to get there early, especially on the weekends, as campsites fill up fast and they’re all first come, first served. Both parks we camped at were beautiful.” As a visitor to Washington State, Angela was impressed with the beauty and quality of Washington’s state parks, “I hope the state parks are enjoyed by lots of people, but I also hope people practice the leave no trace ethic. 10 Terrific Places to Play Mini Golf, Your Ultimate Guide to Where to Eat, Shop & Play in Bellevue, Your Guide to Seattle’s Free (& Cheap) Museum Days, The Dish on Seattle’s Best Restaurants for Families, Let’s Go Camping! Campers hang crab pots right off the dock and pull them up for dinner. blogherads.adq.push(function() { The store and café on the main dock are well stocked and can keep you in ice cream and freshly cooked food for as many days as you need it. Jones Island State Park is an 188 acre marine camping park located on the saltwater shoreline of San Juan channel in north Puget Sound. Two bulkheads and deck rigging (I mean static line around the sides, not bungies). Save a spot in advance whenever you can to make planning easy! From there we kayaked up to Stuart Island and camped there one night, on our way, we stopped at Johns Island for lunch.” Angela was traveling with two of her friends from work. Sure, you can spot Blake Island from the ferry out of Elliot Bay. This is a busy destination for boaters from around the area all summer long, and the wooden boat shows, salmon derby and summer fireworks displays don’t make getting reservations any easier. Angela Tomaselle, a Las Vegas resident and world traveler, shared photos, tips and stories from a recent kayak and camping trip to Jones Island and Stuart Island state parks in mid September of this year. There are 15 campsites in total on the island, and they can accommodate anywhere between four and eight campers, depending on the site. Penrose Point Guided by women, naturally! Angela found this trip offered through a guide company called The Clymb that coordinated with a local kayak adventure company called Outdoor Odysseys that ultimately lead the trip. On the Puget Sound around Olympia, kayak rentals are reliable and easily accessible at two iconic local destinations. I had planned an itinerary to see as much as I could of the PNW in one trip.” Both state parks, located in the north San Juan Islands, are a part of the Cascade Marine Trail on Puget Sound that includes 66 campsites and 160 day­-use sites designated for non­-motorized, beachable boats. Article from mathieuandstacey.blogspot.com. When it comes to summer adventures, it’s a toss up between boating and camping for your family. Then, load up the lawn games alongside the tent and sleeping bags on your boat. The bursting-with-amenities campsite is just up the ramp from the out-of-the-way dock on Harstine Island. That’s the number one reason I had been interested in doing this trip. 2006-2021 redtri.com All Rights Reserved. I loved being in the ocean kayaking. Moss Bay Kayak Paddle Board & Sail Center: Puget Sound kayaking - See 34 traveler reviews, 14 candid photos, and great deals for Seattle, WA, at Tripadvisor. This joy has inspired me to build this web site so that I can share the places that my friends and I have paddled. Both state parks, located in the north San Juan Islands, are a part of the Cascade Marine Trail on Puget Sound that includes 66 campsites and 160 day­-use sites designated for non­-motorized, beachable boats. You can find a few miles of hiking trails just off the grassy picnic area (psst…one leads to a secret lagoon) that are tame enough for little feet, but long enough to give you something to do for the afternoon, and a special marked mushroom trail that keep the sun off your back as you go from sign to sign. Whether you’re looking for a quick excursion within Seattle on Lake Union or multi-day camping trips in the San Juan Islands, your options are plentiful. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay connected to parks community, learn about park activities, trip planning ideas, and volunteer opportunities. It might be too cold for such a little guy. Add a bit of military history to your boat camping experience when you tie up at Marrowstone Island’s Fort Flagler and camp at one of their 59 spots. No Problem: Try These Mid-Winter Break Camps Instead, It’s All Downhill: The Top Tubing & Sledding Spots Near Seattle, 50 Winter Activities To Do While You Still Can, This CA Park Denies Bigfoot Sighting & Sasquatches Our Dreams, 6 Books About Motherhood that Aren’t All About Motherhood, 59 Easy Science Experiments to Do at Home, Here Comes the Pun: 289 Hilarious Jokes for Kids, Delicious Decadence: 10 Cozy Cafes for Hot Chocolate in Seattle, Top 10 Free Things to Do with Kids in Seattle, Sink It! South Puget Sound Paddles . Just short drives from the city are countless islands and bays to explore. }); Head north for boat camping that ranges from primitive island campsites to luxe dockside accommodations, complete with restaurants and shops. The all-new Old Town Castine (available in three custom-fit sizes) is the perfect getaway vehicle for the Puget Sound, or wherever your escape is located. It’s especially exciting to dig for your dinner here because of the other marine wonders your kids will find in the process—moon snails, sea stars and hermit crabs abound. Seattle, WA Puget Sound Kayaking Tours | Book Online Now Trip Outside offers sea kayak tours in Seattle, WA. blogherads.defineSlot("medrec", "repeating-content-2").display(); You can rent kayaks and they offer sea kayaking and rescue and recovery classes taught by certified ACA trainers. I do hope to get back and explore more of the islands sometime. Make a donation today of $25 or more to become a member and enhance your state parks. Mathieu, Stacey and Kaleb. Remember your Discover Pass if you’re camping in a state park. Imagine clear blue skies, salty sea­ air in your face, and breathtaking views of Puget Sound via an early autumn kayaking adventure trip up to peaceful and remote San Juan Islands state parks. And he’s an excellent cook! 9 Puget Sound Campsites You Can Easily Boat To, From Deep Dish to Thin Crust: 11 Fantastic Seattle Pizzerias, No Travel? Between the Islands of Puget Sound and the plethora of glacial lakes around the state, adventures of any length of time and any skill level can be found here. It’s remote and accessible only by boat. The campsites fill up quickly on summer weekends, so reserve a spot early. 1. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Every route shown here has been paddled by us. Anchors Away! It’s a boating experience they won’t soon forget! Description Additional information Description Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. .. Exploring beyond the known becomes the mission on this trip, and the elusive west side, where you’ll find the tent camping sites, has Olympic Mountain views that are hard to find anywhere else. Beach side camping is what this small marine park island between Orcas and Lummi Islands in the San Juans has to offer. And it’s hard to beat the protected inlet, just off the camping area, that turns into a perfect trial zone for kids to take out kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards when the tide is out. Stuart Island State Park is an 85 acre marine camping park along the Cascadia Marine Trail popular for boating, camping, crabbing and diving. It’s a great spot to launch kayaks or canoes from, and there is plenty of beach to roam and comb to keep the kids occupied while you set up camp before you explore. Bring a sunshade and float toys if you’ve got them, as families often float between their boat and the shore in these mildly protected waters. Duplication, distribution or other uses by permission only. When the sun’s out, there’s no better place to dig in for the day than this rocky shoreline. It was originated by the “two Toms”, Tom Steinburn and Tom Deschner, when they noticed many of their favorites spots were being purchased and so were not available. Joemma Beach Subscribe to our newsletters for the best of parenting—sign up for one or all! I hope that this web site can become a resource for other paddlers to use in exploring the Northwest. “We launched out of Friday Harbor, stopped for lunch at Shaw Island, then continued on to Jones Island and camped there for two nights. But not a lot of people paddle south Puget Sound. Loved it! Puget Sound had become the epicenter of a kayaking craze, producing fiberglass boats that had become part of the regional landscape. Head south for cozy campsites with easy dock access. There’s nothing quite like being rocked to sleep by Puget Sound. Out of stock. It’s hard to beat the view from the park’s cliffside campsites, so arrive early to claim one of these coveted first-come-first-serve spots. Bring your scooters, so the kids can explore the area without getting tired, and a crab pot if you’ve got one. If a bouy is open, tie up your ride and raft over to the expansive pebble beaches, where kids will find plenty of space to beach comb and throw rocks while you prepare the evening meal. Here, you can explore the park’s military museum and gift shop just as easily as you can the beach, and the gun emplacements can be explored on your own or through a guided tour (during the summer months). If remote is what you’re looking for, but you’re not sure your crew is ready for primitive camping, head to Jarrell Cove. 2) As above, you slide not lift a kayak to the cartop. In addition to trail maintenance, facilities repairs, community events and educational programs, we work to build a network of parks supporters, public lands advocates and outdoor enthusiasts across the Pacific Northwest and Washington State. First kayak drip of 2020 from the Longbranch boat launch on the key peninsula. Consider them the dry run for next year’s longer boat camping adventure! We have both 3 day and 5 day women kayak adventures on our schedule, but if you can’t find dates you like, call us to start your own custom San Juan Islands kayaking trip. In Leon’s absence, kayaking was back on the menu, so I took Maya to Anderson Island in south Puget Sound, where she had never been. Set sail for Jones Island State Park, a marine park on Orcas Island where you’ll find fruit tree orchards and wildlife abound. We don’t want our state parks ruined.”. The Seattle area is best seen from the water: sailing, on a ferry, or on a kayak. This county park on Lopez Island is a great spot to pull up a mooring buoy (there are 5 available for overnighting) and stay a while. They don’t have quite the same view, but they’re still a great place to start out for a round the island hike. Lockwood’s kits, once assembled, were cheaper, lighter, and flat-out gorgeous. If you consider boat camping an excuse to crab, then Joemma’s the spot for you. 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