All the boat ramps to the San Juans are right here

Planning a boat camping trip to the San Juan Islands? These launch ramps and starting points make it easy to trailer a boat, launch, and cruise to island marine parks for a simple camping vacation.

Summary at a Glance

Taking your own boat on a camping vacation in the San Juan Islands is surprisingly simple and affordable. This guide shows the best places to launch, park your trailer, and begin cruising to nearby marine parks, moorages and anchorages. Learn which boat ramps make the easiest starting points for exploring the islands on a short boating getaway.

Best Launch Ramps for a San Juan Islands Boat Camping Trip

If you’re planning a trailer-boat camping trip to the San Juan Islands, choosing the right launch ramp matters. Starting near Bellingham or Anacortes keeps the best marine parks and anchorages within easy cruising distance while providing reliable ramps, parking, and nearby services for boaters.

   Taking your boat for a camping vacation cruise isn't expensive or difficult if you know the places to go and what to do.

 If you're going to camp aboard I recommend that you start out in Bellingham, all places to travel are close by. If you need a campground for your home base, I would reserve a site at Washington Park in Anacortes

Listed best to last. Oak Harbor is ranked last simply because it is farther away.

Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham 

  Unlimited  parking, fresh water rinse hoses, guest docks, showers, restaurants (you will be glad you came here)

Cornet Bay at Deception Pass State Park

Four lane ramp, lots of pay to park, guest docks, showers, a nice place with lots of floats to hang out. Cornet Bay is a great place to begin and end a vacation, or to camp on board.

La Conner (south end Swinomish Channel)

 city ramp, float, on street parking, cheap fees, guest docks.

Washington Park in Anacortes 

limited pay parking, double ramps with float but open to swell and waves from Guemes Channel,  no guest docks,  very nice on site campground, easy bike ride or hike to ferry.

Twin Bridges (north end Swinomish Channel)

 County ramp, limited pay parking, small float that's dry at low tide, security risk area  NOTE: It's just a little further to La Conner and well worth it!

Oak Harbor 

 free ramp, $2/day parking, guest docks nearby, full marina services nearby, long walk to town!

Cap Sante in Anacortes 

It is not listed because they have a sling, not a ramp. Cap Sante would be second choice if you want to sling your boat in. Guest docks and a big RV or trailer pay parking lot. (you can spend a lot of bucks here)

Hauling your rig on a ferry

 It is not going to work out unless you have pre-arranged a resort with a suitable ramp. A small skiff you can launch from the beach at a campground might be an exception.

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For first timers, see articles titled  "San Juan Islands for First Timers"
>>First Timers <<  click back there.