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Jones Island state park
Location
One mile west of the southwest tip of Orcas Island, San Juan County.
Acreage
188.09 acres with 25,000 feet of saltwater shoreline on the San Juan Channel.
Acquired
Jones Island State Park has been utilized for State Park purposes via a letter of permission from the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife since June 1959. Application for purchase of the park is pending.
Historical Background
The island was named by the Wilkes Expedition in 1841, in honor of Captain Jacob Jones, United States Navy, who, while Master Commandant of the sloop-of-war Wasp, captured the British brig Frolic on October 18, 1812.
Facilities
There are 21 primitive camp sites, 1 water trail site, reservation group camp area, hiking trails, potable water April through September (seasonal droughts can influence water availability during August and September), 120 ft. pier, ramp, 12x 120 ft. moorage floats, 7 mooring buoys, 2 vault toilets, 2 pit toilets, and 2 composting toilets.
Activities
Primitive camping, picnicking, hiking, saltwater fishing, and scuba diving.
Of Special Interest
Very tame deer. Feeding wildlife is prohibited by law. Pest raccoons. Five colonies of prickly pear cactus, a "species of local concern", were discovered and management guidelines are being developed.
Courtesy of Washington State Park and Recreation Commission
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