I did not hike the Bell Point Trail. I spent most of my time at the English Camp.

Very enjoyable, scenic place and nice short hike around the camp. More of a history lesson than a hiking experience. Many educational signs. Read them all for a very good history lesson in British garrison life and events of the 1860's.

Beautiful and peaceful. Hiking up to the hill side location where the officers lived is short, but steep.

There is only one picnic table at the small parking lot. 

I combined the hike around English Camp with a hike up to the top of Young Hill. Both have trail heads at the same parking lot. 

The visitor center was closed. A sign said it opens in June.

The English Camp is there because of "The Pig War". Basically it was about a dispute over who owned the San Juan Islands. 

I went to the American Camp after this hike to get the full story of the Pig War.

I did not hike the Bell Point Trail. I spent most of my time at the English Camp.

Very enjoyable, scenic place and nice short hike around the camp. More of a history lesson than a hiking experience. Many educational signs. Read them all for a very good history lesson in British garrison life and events of the 1860's.

Beautiful and peaceful. Hiking up to the hill side location where the officers lived is short, but steep.

There is only one picnic table at the small parking lot. 

I combined the hike around English Camp with a hike up to the top of Young Hill. Both have trail heads at the same parking lot. 

The visitor center was closed. A sign said it opens in June.

The English Camp is there because of "The Pig War". Basically it was about a dispute over who owned the San Juan Islands. 

I went to the American Camp after this hike to get the full story of the Pig War.

An amazingly little woodsy trail with views and solitude near busy Roche Harbor. Combined with short excursions to historic sites, you can make a quiet lazy day of it and escape all the hustle and bustle of people vacationing nearby.

Young Hill is a must hike every time we visit San Juan Island. Although considerably lower than Orcas Island's Mount Constitution, I think the views are better--rather than seeing mainland Washington State, you have peripheral views of the entire San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island, and on a clear day, you can see the buildings of Victoria. You can park at English Camp Visitor parking just off of West Valley Road, south of Roche Harbor. I do suggest you tour English camp, quite a lot of state and national history in the American/English dispute over the San Juan Islands. Head east through the parking lot to a well-marked trail to begin your hike. Nice and gentle slopes through most of the trail make this hike great for kids or inexperienced hikers. You'll cross West Valley Road and continue up the trail. The hike does get a bit steep in some places the further up you get, but still a great beginner trail. After an almost 700-foot elevation gain, you're treated to sweeping views of the San Juan Island archipelago--a true gem of the Pacific Northwest. The hike, on average, takes us about 40 minutes with few stops or rests. The hike down went considerably faster, about 25-30 minutes.

It was rainy today, so the family stuck to the 1-mile Bell Point loop. We donned our rain boots for the wet walk across the garrison grounds grass. This is goose heaven, so watch for the abundant goose poop in the grass. At this time, I'd probably not want to picnic in this picturesque place. We began our hike near the water, and enjoyed listening to the rain falling amongst the madronas. The trail is barrier-free and level, so good for strollers and perhaps wheelchairs. The most difficult part would be to ford the grassy garrison area. The kids scampered down to a small beach thick with tiny sealife at Bell Point. We saw itty-bitty snails, limpets and the shelled remains of scallops and clams, and left everything we saw. The loop back went through a grove of aspens standing in water, then across the upper part of English Camp's garrison.

My husband and I did these hikes as part of our anniversary trip to Roche Harbor. The hikes may not be that challenging, but they are beautiful and educational. If your ever on San Juan Island, you should give them a go! For a longer story and more pics, go to my blog. http://kellbell-whywouldanyonereadthis.blogspot.com/2013/03/romance-on-san-juan-island.html