San Juan Island National Historical Park

National Historical Park · WA · nps.gov page

a sun setting behind historic parade grounds
The sun sets on the American Camp parade groundsPhoto: NPS Photo/Gary Tarleton

San Juan Island is well known for its splendid vistas, saltwater shores, quiet woodlands, orca whales and one of the last remaining native prairies in the Puget Sound/Northern Straits region. But it was also here in 1859 that the United States and Great Britain nearly went to war over possession of the island, the crisis ignited by the death of a pig.

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Photos

people visiting a historic building
Visitors come from all over the world to explore English CampPhoto: NPS Photo/Gary Tarleton
a historic cannon being fired
Reenactors fire a cannon at EncampmentPhoto: NPS Photo/Gary Tarleton
flowers in bloom
The formal garden in bloomPhoto: NPS Photo/Gary Tarleton
a sandy beach and blue sky
Grandma's Cove is a popular spot for park visitorsPhoto: NPS Photo/Gary Tarleton

Park information and photos come from the National Park Service. This is not an official NPS site.