Lime Kiln Point State Park

About Lime Kiln Point State Park

Orcas are common in the waters around Lime Kiln and are considered one of the best whale-watching sites in North America, even more so than on land, with facilities such as the National Marine Mammal Center in Seattle, Washington. Limekiln Point is home to the largest orcas population in Washington State and the second largest number of whales on the planet.

The park is located on a rocky spot and is a popular whale watching spot, but the park offers a diverse environment, including wooded plateaus, grasslands and rocky cliffs, as well as a variety of waterfalls and other natural features.

The main season for whales is May to September, although June and July are the most likely months to see whales. During the summer months, you can also cruise along the coast to enjoy the best views of whales and other marine life.

The lighthouse was built in 1919 and still serves as a navigation light for ships in the Strait of Haro. In the summer months, interpretive programs and lighthouse tours are also offered, as well as guided tours of the lighthouse itself.

The lime factory was opened in 1860 in the present part of the park and limestone was quarried on the adjacent site for 60 years. Roads were built, buildings built and ovens built to burn the limestone to produce lime. In the late 19th century, much of this island was cut down to supply the flame furnaces, and roads were built, buildings built and roads built.

The U.S. Coast Guard operated the area as a lighthouse sanctuary during limestone operations. When electricity came to the site in the 1960s, the need for lighthouse keepers on site declined, and in 1984 the Coast Guard transferred the area to Washington State Park. The park was created with the help of the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the National Park Service. In 1919 a new lighthouse and a lighthouse keeper's house (the current lighthouse building) were built on the west side of the lime kiln point.

The Coast Guard still maintains the lighthouse as an active navigation aid, and the building is still used as a lighthouse keeper's house for the National Park Service and Washington State Park. One of the lime kilns was bought and renovated by the State Parks in 1996 and opened to the public.

There is no camping fee for park use, but there is a $5 per person per day parking fee and $10 per vehicle parking fee. There is no day park - only use, and there are tent fees for the day ticket in the State Park and the National Park Service Park.

The sites are scattered along the rocky coast near the lighthouse and each site is served on a first - come - first - served basis.

The park is surrounded by about 200 hectares of open land and there are a variety of self-guided hiking trails, guided hikes, kayaking and canoeing.

On San Juan Island you can see whales, kayak with a guide and fish for bottom salmon, but it is difficult on the coast because there is algae. The island of San Juan is located in Puget Sound, south of Seattle, Washington, USA.

From Friday Harbor, take I-5 to Highway 20, turn right at the intersection of Interstate 5 and travel via Spring St. to the airport. From the port of Friday take the ferry to San Juan Island, follow the signs to a ferry dock, then turn left onto the ramp and right onto the island.

The park is located about 10 miles from the port of Friday and during the summer months transit buses are available for visitors who board the ferry or bring a vehicle. Turn left onto Douglas Road, drive approximately one mile and exit the park on the west side, turn right onto the south side of Douglas Road and right onto the parking lot.