Patos Island Marine State Park is a tiny island sitting at the northernmost edge of the San Juan Archipelago. Accessible only by boat, the island features an operational 1908 lighthouse, scenic shoreline campsites, and abundant wildlife, including seals, eagles, and sometimes migrating whales. The Pacific madrone forests and rocky bluffs that take up the majority of this island are captivatingly beautiful. After you pull up to the beach in your kayak or dinghy, wander up to a rock outcropping to take in dramatic views of the surrounding islands. There is also a half-mile hiking trail that leads to the U.S. Coast Guard lighthouse, which you can take tours of on summer weekends. Patos Island is part of the San Juan Islands National Monument, which was established through a 2013 Presidential Proclamation to protect the scientific and ecological significance of the island.
Patos Island, WA
