Lime Kiln State Park offers a splendid opportunity to see orca pods in the wild and with activities such as diving and bird watching it is easy to see why sightseers are so enamored with the park. Bring the family for a day trip to this scenic spot and if you are staying on the island, don’t miss your chance to photograph the panoramic view of the setting sun over the ocean.
Lime Kiln State Park was established in 1984 after the Coast Guard handed over the area to Washington State Parks. Previously, it was a quarry where kilns were built to burn limestone and produce lime, explaining the park’s industrial name.
One of the top attractions in the park is Lime Kiln Lighthouse. Head there first to learn more about orcas, seals and porpoises before trying to spot them in the wild. Naturalists are usually on hand to offer guidance. Follow the path and check the lighthouse’s reader board and see when orcas were last spotted. Bring a picnic and don’t be in a hurry, because it may be a few hours before they pass by.
The park has a rich environment of nature and a rocky shoreline. It is a marine preserve, so no fishing is allowed but scuba divers with their own gear can wade in and explore the subaquatic landscape and colorful fish. See if you can find rockfish, wolf eels and the occasional octopus. The best time to dive is during low tide, just take care on the steep, rocky entry.
The 36-acre Lime Kiln State Park sits on the western shore of San Juan Island and is open year-round from early in the morning until dusk. It is a 20-minute drive from Friday Harbor on the east of the island. Admission is free, although parking costs a small fee. Restrooms are available at the entrance and dogs are allowed on a leash.
