Blind Island Marine State Park
🏝️ A 3-Acre Island in the San Juan Archipelago — Washington’s Smallest State Park — Blind Island Marine State Park near Shaw Island, San Juan Islands, Washington, 3 acres, boat-access only, primitive camping (4 sites), no water or facilities, kayaker destination, Harney Channel, harbor seals, bald eagles, orcas in surrounding waters, Cascadia Marine Trail — San Juan County, WA
Three acres. Four campsites. No water. No dock. Blind Island is one of the smallest state parks in Washington — a rocky, treeless islet in Harney Channel between Shaw Island and Orcas Island in the San Juans.
You arrive by kayak. You pull your boat up on the rocks. You pitch your tent on one of four sites with 360-degree views of the San Juan archipelago. Orcas pass through the channel. Harbor seals haul out on the rocks. Bald eagles perch in the madronas on Shaw Island across the water. And at night, no light pollution — just the Milky Way over the islands.
What to Know
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| The Island | 3 acres of rock and grass in Harney Channel. Treeless — open to sky and wind. Views in every direction: Shaw Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island, and the Cascades on the mainland |
| Camping | 4 primitive campsites. First-come, first-served. No reservations. No water, no restrooms, no fire rings (campfires prohibited). Pack everything in, pack everything out. Composting toilet only |
| Access | Boat-access only. No dock or mooring buoy. Kayakers land on the rocky shore. The island is a key stop on the Cascadia Marine Trail — a 150-mile water trail through Puget Sound and the San Juans |
| Wildlife | Harbor seals on the surrounding rocks. Bald eagles overhead. Orca pods (Southern Resident and transient) transit Harney Channel. Sea otters, porpoises, and river otters in the surrounding waters |
| Paddling | Launch from Shaw Island (Shaw County Park) or Orcas Island (various put-ins). The crossing is short but exposed — currents in Harney Channel can be strong. Check tide tables |
The San Juan Islands
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| The Archipelago | 172 named islands and reefs in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains. Driest place in western Washington (~25 inches/year). San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, and Shaw are the four ferry-served islands |
| Cascadia Marine Trail | A 150-mile water trail from Olympia through Puget Sound to the San Juans. Blind Island is a designated campsite on the trail — designed for human-powered watercraft (kayaks, canoes) |
| Orcas | The Southern Resident killer whale population — 73 individuals — moves through these waters following salmon. Transient orcas hunt seals. Harney Channel is on their travel routes |
| Shaw Island | The quietest of the four ferry-served islands. Population ~250. No commercial services beyond a small store near the ferry dock. Blind Island sits just off Shaw’s north shore |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | ☀️ Calmest paddling conditions. Longest days. Orcas most active. Warmest water. The San Juans at their finest. Book-worthy sunsets |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | 🍂 Quieter waters. Migrating birds. Sea fog in the channels. Fewer paddlers. Still warm enough for camping |
| Spring (Apr–May) | Gray whale migration. Wildflowers on the rocky islands. Cold water. Wind picking up. Experienced paddlers only |
| Winter (Nov–Mar) | Not recommended for camping. Storms, rain, short days. Bald eagles at peak numbers. Dramatic but demanding |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any fresh water on the island?
No — bring all water with you. There are no facilities whatsoever on Blind Island. No water, no fire, no trash service. Pack everything in, pack everything out. The island is genuinely primitive.
Do I need a Discover Pass?
No — marine state parks in Washington do not require a Discover Pass for boat-in access. The 4 campsites are free and first-come, first-served.
🏝️ 3 Acres. 4 Campsites. Orcas in the Channel.
A treeless island in the San Juans. Kayak in, pitch your tent on the rocks, watch orca pods pass through Harney Channel. No water. No dock. No light pollution. Just the archipelago and the Milky Way.
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