Map showing campground location near Deer Harbor, Washington

Camper submitted image from Stuart Island Marine State Park Campground

Stuart Island Marine State Park Campground

Kayakers and boaters seeking water-based camping will find Stuart Island Marine State Park accessible only by paddling or sailing into Reid or Prevost harbors. This boat-in and hike-in campground sits at the northern edge of the San Juan Islands, offering approximately eight campsites split between two harbor areas connected by hiking trails.

The campground provides vault toilets at each harbor section along with potable water and picnic tables. Campers can secure their watercraft on beaches designated for human-powered vessels, though high tides require hauling kayaks into the grass areas. Sites accommodate multiple tents, with some large enough for group camping. Cell service reaches the area for AT&T users, though signal strength varies by location.

Wildlife encounters happen frequently here. "Saw a river otter and several raccoons," reports Taylor C., who also spotted harbor seals, deer, and bald eagles during a weekend stay. Food storage requires vigilance due to aggressive raccoons that raid unsecured items overnight.

The highlight trail leads to Turn Point Lighthouse, covering roughly 5.5 miles round trip through varied terrain including forests, farmland, and past a small airstrip. Along the route, hikers can visit a one-room schoolhouse, island library, and museum. Campers wanting a different island experience might consider Jones Island Marine State Park Campground, which offers similar boat-in access with different terrain features.

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Location

Public Campground

Stuart Island Marine State Park Campground is located in Washington

Coordinates

48.67638985 N
123.19919082 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 4/3/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 4/3/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Access

Hike-In
Backcountry sites.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
Group
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Phone Service
Reservable
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Reservations

+13603782044

Drive Time

2 hrs 20 min from Mount Vernon, WA
2 hrs 38 min from Bellingham, WA
3 hrs 15 min from Seattle, WA
4 hrs 12 min from Bremerton, WA

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5 Stars

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1 Star

4.5

out of 5

4 Reviews

Visitors often highlighted the unique paddle-in access, large campsites, and excellent hiking opportunities to lighthouse and schoolhouse. Many mentioned aggressive raccoons requiring secure food storage, though wildlife viewing is abundant.

Taylor C.

Ranger

Reviewed Jul. 1, 2025

Kayak trip!

We headed to here from Friday Harbor at the San Juan County launch. We came in through Reid Harbor and stayed on the left side in site 12 I believe. Whichever is the first site over there. You do have service for ATT, not strong everywhere but pretty good! They have pit toilets and potable water. We hiked to the schoolhouse and the lighthouse. It was about 5-5.5 miles round trip. Weather was pretty chilly at night but not unbearable. Raccoons are really bad! Put up all your food. Saw several deer while here too. Lots of wildlife… 2 harbor seals stayed in the harbor the whole weekend. Saw several bald eagles. Saw a river otter and several raccoons.

Site12

Month of VisitJune

(13) View All

Annie C.

Legend

Reviewed May. 31, 2021

Kayak camping

This is a non-motorized water vehicle campground. You have to paddle in to camp here. There are two sides to the campground, separated by a marshy area. We camped in a couple of sites at Prevost Harbor(we were a large group of 12) after hauling our kayaks up into the grass in expectation of a high tide. The vault toilet was clean and there was a composting area close to that. The campsites were large; we were able to fit 8 tents in two sites, and took over a third site for cooking and eating. You need to store your food bins well due to aggressive racoons(we wedged ours under the picnic table benches). There are some nice hiking trails, as long as you don’t mind a steep start, that take you up top to the ridge. Great views from up here.

Month of VisitJuly

(11) View All

Kelsey M.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 27, 2018

Reliably Good Time!

I visit Stuart Island several times a summer. It's an easy paddle from Roche Harbor and the island I work on. There are eight-ish campsites on either side of the beach at the very end of Reid Harbor. Each side of the beach has a composting toilet. Up a steep set of stairs there is another set of campsites that connect over to Prevost Harbor. Be warned that the campsites fill up fast during the high season.

The best part of camping on Stuart Island is the walk up to the Turn Point Lighthouse. Along the way you can visit a small museum, the island's library, and an old one room schoolhouse. You also walk through damp forests, by an airstrip, and through farmland. Orca frequently pass by Turn Point so maybe you'll get lucky! The views over to Canada are gorgeous at sunset.

Month of VisitJuly

(12) View All

The School for Y.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 28, 2018

Great place (if you can get there)..

What an amazing place! There were docks to enter on both the Reid and Prevost Harbor sides of the Island (Reid is a safer anchorage spot, but has a smaller dock). There was also a beach for Kayakers and other "human powered" campers only. There were two toilets, one by the kayakers beach and one between the harbors, but both were primitive (see photos).

We loved hiking to the one room school houses and the "honor" store (see pictures). While we camped on the boat, we loved hiking around the park and would definitely come back...

Month of VisitJune

(18) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Are reservations required for camping at Stuart Island State Park?

Reservations are not required for camping at Stuart Island Marine State Park. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Since the park is only accessible by water and has limited campsites (approximately 8 sites between the two harbor areas), arriving early, especially during peak summer months, is recommended to secure a spot. Consider weekday visits during the summer if possible to increase your chances of finding an available campsite. For the most current information on policies, contact Washington State Parks before your trip.

What camping facilities are available at Stuart Island Marine State Park?

Stuart Island Marine State Park offers primitive camping facilities with approximately 8 campsites split between two areas - Reid Harbor and Prevost Harbor. Each area has a composting toilet. The campground features potable water and is designed primarily for non-motorized water access camping. Sites are situated in grassy areas, some requiring a climb up steep stairs from the beach. There's a dedicated beach area specifically for kayakers and other human-powered watercraft users. The park maintains docks at both Reid and Prevost Harbor sides for boat access, with Reid Harbor offering a safer anchorage but smaller dock space.

How do I access Stuart Island State Park for camping?

Stuart Island Marine State Park is only accessible by water. You can paddle in by kayak (a popular option from Roche Harbor or the San Juan County launch at Friday Harbor), or arrive by boat using the docks available at both Reid Harbor and Prevost Harbor. There's a dedicated beach specifically for kayakers and other human-powered watercraft. This is exclusively a marine access park - there is no road or ferry service to the island. Plan your trip according to water conditions and your watercraft capabilities.

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