Lime Kiln Point State Park
Lime Kiln Point State Park
Lime Kiln Point State Park
4.5
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This 36.32-acre park, located on the west side of San Juan Island, boasts over 2,550 feet of scenic shoreline.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
806 reviews
Excellent
616
Very good
160
Average
27
Poor
2
Terrible
1
WaJello
1,555 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
From the ferry terminal Lime Kiln is in the other side of the island. If you have a vehicle you need a Discovery Pass but can buy one there for $30. It is a nice walk through a trees path. The path quickly opens up to a beautiful view with seats along the trail. This is a great place for pictures and would be even better to get a photographer to do family photos. We could have stayed here all day long. We didn’t see any whales but the colors were so gorgeous it makes all your photos look professional.
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin R
Seattle, WA707 contributions
Sept 2020
Showed up at the end of the day and totally lucked out. J pod was slowly swimming by. 10-20 whales. It was amazing. According to the calendar in the lighthouse, there were only a few sightings this month so we feel incredibly lucky.
Written September 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HunBabe
Houston, TX258 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
There’s a $10 park fee that needs to be paid at the kiosk in the parking lot. Gift shop and snack bar on site open until 4pm. We went during the day and did the trail to the light hour and returned later that evening to enjoy the sunset. Saw a couple seals and a whale blow far off in the distance. The trail to the lighthouse is through a canopy of trees before getting to the shore with spectacular views of the bay and lighthouse. Lots of opportunities for great pics.
Written June 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian E
Santa Rosa, CA477 contributions
Sept 2021
If you are heading to Friday Harbor, do carve out some time to visit Lime Kiln. But first you might ask, why is it named "Lime Kiln." It is because in the previous turn of the century there was an active kiln where they refined and exported lime for steel-making and other purposes. You can actually easily hike to the now defunct kiln. The trails are easy and the views of the water are spectacular. You'll need to buy a day Discovery Pass in order to park, but the automated machines make it very easy.
Written October 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kenny Macdonald
Spokane Valley, WA607 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Great place to relax, watch for marine life, enjoy the cool breeze and wonderful scents of the island. Parking is $10 without a discovery pass. Tables and benches along the shoreline for comfortable viewing. We saw porpoises. Great spot to sit and unwind. Take some snacks and enjoy
Written August 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelnat
United States128 contributions
Apr 2021
A short walk from the parking lot lies this beautiful lighthouse on the western shore of the island. Be sure to have your Washington State Discovery Pass, otherwise you will need to pay a day fee. The lighthouse is perched on a rocky outcropping. When open, there is a display and information inside. There are some benches for seating. This is also a renown whale watching site, although due to the decline of the local salmon population and other factors, a sighting might be more rare. You can see across the strait into Canada. There are also some hikes that start here, although we didn’t explore them. This is a bit out of the way with the closest attraction being English Camp, but it is not a very big island and it is well worth the stop.
Written April 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug Shaffer, Anderson Island, WA
Anderson Island, WA188 contributions
Feb 2020
Others said it was fantastic, but one needs to take a trail down to the observation area and my bad knees weren't up to it so I have no first hand knowledge of the view. The parking lot is very small. It was raining when we arrived so our time there was limited - wish I could go back when the warm sun is out.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff W
Seattle, WA90 contributions
Aug 2020
All the coastal parks on San Juan are wonderful, and they all have their own flavor. We did not see whales (which the guide books hint at) - but we did see other marine life & passing boats. We just sat in the sun, taking in the fresh air and wonderful views
Written September 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chuck K
Glenwood Springs, Colorado, United States110 contributions
Feb 2020
Short walk to the whale viewing platform. Trail through the woods to the lighthouse. By visiting the whale viewing platform first, it gave plenty of opportunities to get some good photos of the lighthouse on the water.
Very nice woman was giving out information at the lighthouse on the whale research, and seemed very knowledgeable, and was very helpful.
Very nice woman was giving out information at the lighthouse on the whale research, and seemed very knowledgeable, and was very helpful.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
One world foodie
17 contributions
Apr 2021
Beautiful location and scenery. Hiked the uneven very rocky trail along the waters edge to the lighthouse. Not easy if you have any mobility or joint issues! But there are picnic tables and some benches to rest along the way. There's an easier trail, a flatter back road you can take back to the parking lot but it's not scenic like the shoreline one. Was very disappointed to find lighthouse not open due to Covid so was unable to go in and use the whale hydrophones I had read about. Would love to go back after lighthouse reopens.
Written April 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How is it like visiting in November or December?
Written November 11, 2020
Cold. It was cold in late July.
I would be concerned unless you like to hike in cold weather.
Written November 11, 2020
Is there a better time of day for chance to see orcas?
Thanks
Written June 7, 2019
Orcas are on their own time , you cant predict when they will be anywhere
Written June 14, 2019
what is the best way to get there from Friday Harbor without a car? we will be travelling in early May and will have a car with us on Orcas island which we are planning on leaving there for a day trip to San Juan Island unless it is better to bring the car. also, if we do rely on bike rental or public transportation is there a place nearby where we could pick up food for a picnic lunch? Thanks
Written January 19, 2015
There's a place near the ferry terminal that rents mopeds. I think bikes are also available, but while the island is small for a car, it would be pretty large for a bike.
Written April 12, 2017
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