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American Camp, San Juan Island, WA

Photo: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sightseeing

American Camp

Former U.S. Army post on San Juan Island, now a unit of San Juan Island National Historical Park.

San Juan Island, WA

About American Camp

American Camp is one of two units of San Juan Island National Historical Park. The U.S. Army occupied the site from 1859 to 1874 during a joint occupation of the island with Britain. Captain George E. Pickett's company arrived in July 1859 and set up the first camp on a grassy slope near Griffin Bay. Colonel Silas Casey later moved the post to a ridge with a wide view of the strait and bay. Only two officers' quarters from that era still stand. The park is open for daytime visits and offers hiking trails and historic interpretation.

  • #national historical park
  • #U.S. Army history
  • #San Juan Island
  • #hiking
  • #Pacific Northwest

What's around here?

The closest stops to American Camp, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    Rainy-Day Pick

    San Juan Islands Museum of Art

    Under $25

    An art museum on Spring Street in Friday Harbor with changing exhibitions, family art days and docent tours.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    4.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Stay

    Earthbox Inn & Spa

    $50+

    A Friday Harbor hotel on Spring Street near the ferry landing, with a heated indoor pool, sauna and spa.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    4.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Stay

  • Tours
    Quirky Fun

    Susie's Mopeds

    $50+

    A Friday Harbor rental shop for mopeds, scoot coupes, island buggies and e-bikes to explore San Juan Island.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    4.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    San Juan Islands

    No admission fee

    The official tourism office for Washington's San Juan Islands, covering ferry-linked island getaways, whale watching and outdoor recreation.

    6.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Victoria

    No admission fee

    Official visitor guide to Victoria, British Columbia's harbourside capital, with hotels, dining, and things to do.

    13 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Anacortes

    No admission fee

    Visitor information center for Anacortes, the ferry gateway town to the San Juan Islands.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    17 mi awayMore like this

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