Blind Island Marine State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Blind Island Marine State Park
Blind Island Marine State Park Location in Washington (state)
Location	San Juan County, Washington, United States
Nearest city	Anacortes, Washington
Length	540 feet (low tide)
Width	354 feet (low tide)
Area	3 acres (1.2 ha)
Elevation	26 feet (7.9 m)
Designation	Washington marine state park
Established	1970
Administrator	Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Website	Blind Island State Park

Blind Island Marine State Park is a cool place to visit in Washington. It's a small island, only about 3 acres big, located in San Juan County. You can find it right at the entrance to Blind Bay, near Shaw Island. This park is part of the amazing San Juan Islands National Monument.

The island is about one-third of a mile west of the Shaw Island ferry terminal. It has over 1,200 feet of saltwater shoreline. The park is managed by two groups working together: the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Washington State Parks.

Island History

Early Life on the Island

In the late 1800s, a man named John Fox made his home on Blind Island. He was an immigrant from Germany and used to be a fisherman. John built a small house and some storage sheds on the island.

He lived on the island as a fisherman. He also had a small garden spot, and you can still see signs of it today. John Fox's son, also named John Fox, lived alone on the island until he passed away around 1960. The elder John Fox is buried on the island.

Island Features

The Fox family dug several holes into the island's rock. These were likely used as cisterns, which are special containers for collecting rainwater. There is also a small spring on the island. A concrete wall was built around it, and it's still there today. However, the water from this spring is not safe to drink.

Becoming a State Park

Blind Island became a state park in 1970. The land was leased from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. In 1972, all the old buildings on the island were removed because they were unsafe.

Fun Activities at the Park

Boating and Camping

Blind Island is a stop on the Cascadia Marine Trail. This means that the campsites on the island are only for visitors who arrive in boats without motors. You can come by kayak, canoe, or other non-motorized watercraft.

Wildlife and Views

There are many fun things to do at Blind Island Marine State Park. You can spend time observing the amazing wildlife. Keep an eye out for different birds and marine animals. You'll also see ferries passing by frequently, which is a cool sight!