Coastal landscape with grassy beach, driftwood, and forest near a calm body of water under a partly cloudy sky.

Jakles Lagoon & Mount Finlayson

A stunning mix of coastal beauty, forest trails, and panoramic views!

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Located in San Juan Island National Historical Park, the trails around Jakles Lagoon, Third Lagoon, and Old Town Lagoon offer a diverse hiking experience through forests, quiet lagoons, open prairies, and coastal vistas. These interconnected trails provide excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, birdwatching, and peaceful nature walks, with access to the scenic shores of Griffin Bay.

The Jakles Lagoon and Mount Finlayson trails are connected, creating a longer, more diverse hike through shoreline forests, tranquil lagoons, and open prairie lands shaped by glaciers. The trail to Jakles Lagoon meanders through the forest before reaching the still waters of the lagoon, a perfect spot for reflection and wildlife viewing. Nearby, Third Lagoon, a San Juan County Land Bank preserve, provides a peaceful retreat with beach access and a blend of marine and woodland ecosystems.

For those seeking a more challenging adventure, the Mount Finlayson Trail provides a moderate climb with sweeping panoramic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Griffin Bay, Mount Baker, and the Olympic Mountains. The trail continues through rolling prairies, where hikers can experience the rich biodiversity of the area. Wildlife sightings often include bald eagles, Pileated Woodpeckers, Great Horned Owls, Loons, Bufflehead ducks, black-tailed deer, red foxes, and a variety of shorebirds.

Trail Details

How to Get There: Access from Cattle Point Road; parking available at American Camp and South Beach

Distance: Varies, with shorter lagoon loops or longer hikes including Mount Finlayson

Difficulty: Easy to moderate; lagoon trails are mostly flat, while Mount Finlayson has steeper sections

Family-Friendly: Yes, with options for casual walkers and adventurous hikers and dogs are allowed on leash

Facilities: Restrooms available at American Camp Visitor Center and South Beach

Accessibility: Some lagoon trails are flat and accessible, but the climb to Mount Finlayson is steep

Features: Three scenic lagoons (Jakles, Third, and Old Town), coastal bluffs, forested trails, glacier-formed prairie landscapes, Mount Finlayson’s summit views, and access to Griffin Bay

Trail signpost in a forest with directions to Jakle's Lagoon, Third Lagoon, and Mt. Finlayson, topped by a mushroom with pinecones.
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Coastal landscape with a dirt path, grassy hills, trees, road, and ocean under a blue sky with clouds.
A forest path surrounded by tall trees and dense greenery, with sunlight filtering through the leaves.
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Pebble beach with a large rock, a small boat onshore, and a ship on the calm water in the distance. Mountains are visible on the horizon under a clear sky.
Pebble beach with driftwood and dense forest, cloudy sky over calm water.
Cloudy sky over a calm sea with distant mountains.