Paddle out to Saddlebag Island Marine State Park, a 26-acre boat-only-access marine state park located in Padilla Bay. Saddlebag Island is a four-mile journey from Anacortes through the Guemes Channel, making for a perfect weekend getaway to enjoy the grassy meadows and warm pebble beaches fit for crabbing. Named for its distinctive shape—two rocky knobs connected by a narrow “saddle” of land—the island is a dream destination for boaters, campers, and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Catch a glimpse of bald eagles and peregrine falcons from the nearby National Estuarine Sanctuary, or search for harbor seals and river otters that play in the glimmering blue water. If you come in the springtime (April-May), the meadows burst into vivid color with wildflower blooms, typically arriving earlier than other parts of the San Juan archipelago. Saddlebag Island offers primitive campsites where campers can pull up a camp chair, grill up the catch of the day, and enjoy the quiet rhythms of the bay. Make sure to bring a kayak to paddle out to Dot Island, a tiny islet offshore, which is also a beloved part of the park to explore.
Saddlebag Island, WA
