San Juan Islands
Jones Island State Park
Holding: Good
Shelter: Good
16 mooring buoys
Shore access
Anchorage Pacific Northwest
About This Anchorage
Jones Island is a compact gem in the San Juans — only 188 acres, but packed with character. Two small coves on the north and south shores offer anchorage and mooring buoys maintained by Washington State Parks. The island is known for its remarkably tame black-tailed deer, old-growth forest, and sweeping views of the Canadian Gulf Islands. It's a short hop from Orcas Island and popular for overnight cruises.
Highlights
- Famously approachable deer — one of the San Juans' great wildlife encounters
- Two anchorage coves (north and south) for different wind conditions
- Loop trail through old-growth forest takes about 45 minutes
- Excellent kayaking around the island perimeter
- Washington State Parks dock with summer host
Cautions & Notes
- North cove exposed to northerlies; south cove better in NW winds
- Crowded on summer weekends; arrive by Friday afternoon
- Holding acceptable but not exceptional — set anchor carefully
- No water or garbage service; pack out everything