This is a seriously underrated off season state park, the walk out the split in November is epic…read more Take in the marsh and the Salish Sea. We saw two herons and the shells are beautiful in the small slapping waves. The walk down from the car parking area was swift.

So beautiful at sunset! It was a little muddy to walk down to the beach from the parking lot but…read moreworth it. There is a little shelter and spot for a fire pit too.

Being a few weeks removed from my day here helps me appreciate this lil' park for what it is. You…read moresee, I did not have the most five-star experience here, but that's unique to my visit. I'll spare the details as they're not relevant to the park, but it involved my very active dog and a very expensive camera lens. So what can I say about Obstruction Pass that is relevant? Well, it's a tiny little park. But almost everyone I spoke to about my time on Orcas said they actually like it more than its big neighbor Moran, to the north. Situated on the southern tip of the eastern point of Orcas Island, it only occupies 80 acres. But among that 80 acres is a bit of precious beachfront; some of the only public beach space on the island of private developments and no trespassing signs. These are San Juan island beaches, so you'll find millions of rounded pebbles, not sand, lest you imagine frolicking barefoot down the beach. To reach the beach, you have to hike. There's a shorter trail than sort of hugs the seashore, and a longer one that goes over land and abuts private property. I took the wooded longer one to the north on the way in, then the beach-hugger on the way out. It's a short hike, not too strenuous, but it's certainly not ADA approved and it will take you a little time to reach the waters. The park features the trail, beach, a small campground, and restrooms. You access the beach down a couple of staircases, and the thick woods above provide lots of shade. I was here in the dead of winter, but even then I shared the beach with a very loud family, and a couple of other parties. Dogs must be leashed at all times. Be careful on those rocks. If you're, say, carrying a full camera and tripod rig and slip, you'll bounce all the way down the rocks into the water. Probably. And then, after your dog damaged your lens before, and you ended up falling into the water, you'll just pack up and get back to your car and call it a day.

Situated at one tip of Orcas Island, Obstruction Pass State Park is home to campers and…read moreshort-duration hikers. This is a great (less than) a mile hike to the beach and back with a pretty PNW view. Its not as big and majestic as Moren State Park, but its a great feeler for Orcas Island, and because of the size, you will notice more people around, when there are people around. We did this as a group of 6, quick in and out on our first day here. We saw a boat parked out on the water and a little house situated by the water. We didn't see many hikers here when we went on a late Saturday afternoon, but we saw a number of campers. *Porta potty's were available

Amazing county park with just 10 sites on the bluff at Indian Cove on Shaw Island. Lovely sandy…read morebeach with shallow cove means the water actually gets fairly warm. Plentiful driftwood (though not so much as Spencer Spit on Lopez). Lovely campsites, no RVs, so no generator noise. We were able to park our 1977 VW camper van in site 7 - not all sites could even fit a camper van, and some are just walk/bike. It's only about 2.5 miles from the ferry landing. Pristine location, and really off the beaten path, but well worth trying to snag a reservation - 90 days out.

An absolute favorite for good ole woods on the lake camping! Campgrounds have so much variety in…read moreshade, waterfront options, RV hookups, walk-in, and group sites. Their bathrooms and showers are well maintained, and the public use areas are always kept up as well. They staff a little snack shack where you can find limited swim gear and accessories, plus impressive snacks, coffee, ice cream, candy, etc. The lake is a non-motorized boat lake, but they rent out water toys or bring your own float islands and paddleboards. Mt. Constitution is also found within the park and is a must visit! Views into Canada and over the WA coast are to die for on a clear day. Whether you're visiting just for the day or longer, Moran State Park is an oasis worth experiencing!

This is probably the biggest highlight on Orcas Island if you're outdoorsy!…read more Lakes, scenic views, trails a plenty even leading to an ice cream finish, water activities, and on and on and on. I had only wished we had one more day. My group did the Cascade Lake Loop, Cascade Fall's, plus give or take hopping on to another trail to widen the "loop." Day passes are $10 bucks and go off an honor system with completing a short form with vehicle and govt issue ID details and dropping them into a collection box. Plenty of places to park near multiple different trail entrances. The trails are well maintained & the trees are massive. Sugar shack offered up some delicious ice cream during our widening of said loop. There were clean bathrooms and a large playground located near this pit stop. Plenty of entrances/parking to different trailheads can be found along the outskirts. Definitely recommend for anyone taking a vacation on Orcas Island. And as always practice leave no trace!

Fun stop to breakup the drive Free activity Enjoy A little…read morestretch and enjoy the fresh air

We thought this place was going to be cheesy and dumb. But we were MISTAKEN, it was cool. You can…read morepick trails, you can walk it all, you can find birds, you can sit and talk, you have tons of photo ops. We loved it!!! We walked and talked. Enjoyed the beautiful weather.

One of the newer public spaces in town, Overlook Park couldn't be more perfectly situated above the…read morePort of Friday Harbor. What the park lacks in square footage, it makes up for it in panorama. The view is outstanding! Located just off one of the two main streets in town, Overlook Park shares a small parking lot with several neighboring businesses. There's not much to the park; a few benches and picnic tables, as well as public viewing binoculars helping folks take in the scenery below. Perched high on the bluff, the park benefits from a refreshing breeze coming off the harbor. There are comfortable seating areas in both sun and shade thanks to the variety of shrubs and trees that create an inviting respite for weary tourists and locals alike.

Absolutely fantastic three day kayaking experience! Our charming guide led us in tandem kayaks…read morewith all the necessary gear through the islands. Just dress for the weather and you will enjoy the best way to see the San Juan's. We had a great camping experience as part of the journey with plenty of great food. Hannah is a super guide and worked tirelessly to keep us both active and relaxed plus well fed. Appetizers and wine before hearty meals to keep us fueled! Can't wait to go again someday!

F..... amazing trip. Great recreational adventure when everywhere you look, no matter the direction…read moreis a screen saver or postcard setting. Eli & T-sizzle were amazing guides and very thorough in giving you a lifetime experience you will never forget. For me It took planes, trains, boats and automobiles to get there and I was coming in hot. But instantly I was brought to a serenity with nature I will never forget. Could have filmed my own NGC movie. Thank you Eli, T-sizzle and Outdoor Odyssey!

The whole trip was awesome. Our guide, even though she was new, was very knowledgeable and fun to…read morebe around. The kayaks themselves are sit in kayaks, so be prepared to try and squeeze yourself in one, especially if you are tall, I am 6 foot even and I was getting some cramping in my legs from sitting at an awkward angle. Did see a few seals and a bunch of salmon and smelt jumping around. The one thing I will say about the whales. On the website, it says that you WILL see whales. Take this with a grain of salt because it is misleading, after talking to the guide, it's more like a 40% chance you will see whales. Definitely recommend a sunset kayak tour because it enhances the trip altogether.

We had such a great experience with Crystal Seas! We booked their three-hour kayaking trip and, the…read moremorning of, realized we'd be getting back later than we wanted (my husband didn't read all the details ). We called to see if it was possible to move our trip up an hour, and they couldn't have been more accommodating--super friendly and flexible. Our guide, Madi was fun, knowledgeable, and made us feel completely safe and comfortable on the water. The scenery was beautiful, the pace was relaxed, and we really enjoyed learning little bits along the way. Even better, we ended up having the trip to ourselves, which felt like a private tour. We'd absolutely book again with Crystal Seas--big fans!