James Island (San Juan Islands) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Island Marine State Park
James Island (left) behind Decatur Island (foreground right)
James Island Marine State Park Location in Washington (state)
Location	San Juan County, Washington, United States
Area	113 acres (46 ha)
Elevation	75 ft (23 m)
Designation	Washington marine state park
Established	1964
Administrator	Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Website	James Island Marine State Park

James Island is a beautiful island in the San Juan Islands of Washington State, United States. It's a special place because the entire island is a state park called James Island State Park. This park is part of the Washington State Park System.

The island is located in Rosario Strait. You can find it just off the eastern coast of Decatur Island. It's also west of the city of Anacortes.

Discover James Island State Park

James Island State Park covers about 113 acres (46 hectares) of land. It also has a long saltwater shoreline, stretching for about 12,335 feet (3,760 meters).

What Makes James Island Special?

One interesting fact about James Island is that it has no fresh drinking water. This means visitors need to bring their own water. Also, no one lives on the island permanently.

Camping and Exploring

Even without residents, James Island is a great spot for camping! It has three different camping areas. Each area has at least one toilet for visitors.

In total, there are 13 campsites available on the island. A loop trail connects all the camping areas. This makes it easy to explore the island on foot.

How James Island Got Its Name

The island was named in 1841 by a man named Charles Wilkes. He chose the name to honor a naval hero, Reuben James.

The land for James Island State Park was once owned by the federal government. In 1964, it was given to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. This is the group that manages state parks in Washington.

See also

• In Spanish: Isla James (Washington) para niños