State Parks and National Parks

San Juan Islands Refuge protects 83 rocks, reefs, grassy islands, and forested islands scattered throughout the San Juan Islands of northern Puget Sound off the Washington coast.

These islands, totaling almost 450 acres, were set aside to protect colonies of nesting seabirds, including pigeon guillemots, double-crested cormorants, pelagic cormorants, and one of the largest nesting colonies of glaucous-winged gulls on the West Coast.

They also attract a variety of other wildlife. Harbor seals haul out to rest or to have their pups on the smaller rocks and reefs and on the rocky beaches of the larger islands.

Bald eagles, a threatened species in Washington, build their nests high in the large trees of forested islands and catch fish in the surrounding waters.

In order to maintain the natural character of these islands and to protect the wildlife that live there, boaters are asked to remain 200 yards offshore of all islands, but Turn Island and five acres on Matia Island are open to the public. The remaining 81 rocks, islands and reefs are closed to public access.