American Camp, San Juan Island

American Camp is one of the two historical camps on the island from when the country owning the San Juan Islands was yet to be determined. America occupied the South part of the island while the British occupied the North part. American Camp is whats left of the historic buildings and lots of trails.

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American Camp holds my favorite view on the entire island. This is the view atop of Grandma’s Cove.

American Camp was under construction when we visited so the main visitor’s entrance was closed. You’ll have to use one of the trails to get to the camp instead. The road right before the one that leads to the main entrance goes into a neighborhood. At the end of Ocean View Drive there is a gate with a trail head, this leads to American Camp. You can park on the side of the road.
View American Camp’s closure info HERE.

Follow the trail and it will lead straight to the road that’ll put you out at American Camp. It is a short and easy trail.

There is nothing except wide open grassy fields.

The first building you’ll come to on the road is where the women washed the clothes. I loved these old white historic cabins.

American Camp has a lot less buildings than English Camp does but the rolling hills on the coast where American Camp is are beautiful.

We followed the signs down to “Grandma’s Cove” from the buildings.

Grandma’s Cove is a beach area completely secluded by the coast on both sides. When we went we were the only people there.

After exploring the beach cove, we hiked up to the top of the ride over top of Grandma’s Cove. (short and easy)

This view, in my opinion, is the prettiest view on the entire island. I felt as though we were in Scotland or Ireland with the rolling hills and rocky coast.