Limekiln Point and Preserve

May 19, 2022 |

Orcas, old quarries, and a beautiful lighthouse

The well photographed Limekiln Point Lighthouse

Quick Facts:

Location: San Juan Island

Land Agency: Washington State Parks and San Juan County Conservation Land Bank

Roundtrip: 2.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 265 feet

Contact: Lime Kiln State Park or San Juan County Conservation Land Bank

Detailed Information: Day Hiking the San Juans and Gulf Islands (Mountaineers Books)

Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs permitted on leash

Access: From Anacortes, take Washington State Ferry to to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Then follow Spring Street west (becomes San Juan Valley Road outside city limits) for 1.6 miles. Turn left onto Douglas Road and drive 1.8 miles bearing right onto Bailer Hill Road. Continue on Bailer Hill Road (which becomes West Side Road) for 5.6 miles coming to Lime Kiln State Park and trailhead.

Good to Know: bird-watching, whale watching, historic, lighthouse, kid-friendly, practice Leave No Trace Principles

One of the most ecologically and historically intriguing places on San Juan Island, Limekiln Point contains more than five miles of good interconnecting trails. Protected by a 36-acre state park and 170-plus acres of county preserve; this once bustling with industry point is now one of the best places in America to spot whales from land. A lighthouse, interpretive center and restored lime kiln add to the area’s richness.

You can easily spend all day at Limekiln Point visiting the interpretive center, the 1919 still in use lighthouse, the restored historic limekiln, and watching for Orcas in Haro Strait. And of course, hiking the state park and adjacent county land bank preserves. The loop described here will help introduce you to this area.

From the Interpretive Center follow the short ADA-accessible interpretive trail to the coast and a junction. The lighthouse is right. You’ll be returning from it—so head left along the rocky open coastline entering the San Juan County Land Bank’s Deadman Bay Preserve. Heading up and over bluffs enjoy sweeping views across Haro Strait to Vancouver Island and the Olympic Peninsula. Keep watching for orcas and other whales.

Pass a small parking lot and spur leading to a cobbled beach on Deadman Bay. Explore the beach or resume hiking, crossing Westside Road and heading up steps up a view granting bluff; and entering the land bank’s Limekiln Preserve. Cross the road again and after reaching an elevation of 280 ft begin descending through a forest harkening a Wizard of Oz scene. Re-enter the state park and reach a junction.

The trail right leads to old roads and quarries and to Westside Lake if you’re looking for a longer hike. Otherwise head left quickly coming to a junction with the state park loop trail. Go right passing a water tower and reaching a junction. Continue straight—but first hike right .1 mile to a restored limekiln and interpretive displays. The trail continues beyond to another limekiln, old quarries and eventually links back up with the trail coming from the loop junction.

Continuing straight twist along the rocky coast reaching the well-photographed 1919-built lighthouse. Linger or continue hiking along the coast to great whale-viewing spots reaching the Deadman Bay Trail. Turn left to reach your vehicle.

For detailed information on this hike and many other great hikes throughout the San Juan Islands, pick up a copy of my Day Hiking the San Juans and Gulf Island (Mountaineers Book).