Patos Island

Welcome to the northwestern-most point in the lower 48 states! Patos Island is a wild and remote 200-acre island in the beautiful Salish Sea. The mountains of Canada and the spectacular Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges provide scenic backdrops to this special area. Recreational activities include hiking, camping, boating, sea kayaking, watching wildlife, and viewing wildflowers along the beaches, wooded areas, and at overlooks. The BLM cooperatively manages the area with Washington State Parks. Patos Island Lighthouse, built in 1893, stands on the western-most end of the island, providing light and reference to mariners.

Know Before You Go:

  • Patos Island is open YEAR ROUND.
  • Limited mooring buoys and campsites in Active Cove are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Patos Island is only accessible by watercraft.
  • Patos Island is very primitive and there is no fresh water available on site.
  • On October 7, 2014, San Juan County became the first County in the U.S. designated as a voluntary Leave No Trace Area.

Point of Interest:

Keepers of the Patos Light are a nonprofit partner group that operates a small interpretive museum during the summer weekends from June through September, based on weather and available volunteers.

Patos Island Brochure

Photos

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Adventure is at Your Fingertips

Phone

Activities

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BOATING
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HISTORIC & CULTURAL SITE
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CAMPING
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INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
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HIKING
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PICNICKING
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VISITOR CENTER
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WILDLIFE VIEWING
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DAY USE AREA
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PHOTOGRAPHY
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PADDLING
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SWIMMING

Addresses

San Juan Islands National Monument Office
650 Mullis Street Suite 100
Friday Harbor
Washington
98250

Geographic Coordinates

48.78285, -122.95218

Directions

Patos Island State Park is located five miles northwest of Orcas Island in San Juan County. It is accessible only by boat and there is no commercial ferry service to the park. The nearest launch sites are at Point Roberts Marina (13 miles north), Blaine Harbor (11 miles northeast), and Squallicum Harbor in Bellingham (24 miles east).

Fees

Washington State Park fees apply.