Turn Island (original) (raw)

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Island in the Salish Sea in the U.S. state of Washington

Turn Island Marine State Park
Map showing the location of Turn Island Marine State ParkMap showing the location of Turn Island Marine State ParkLocation in the state of WashingtonShow map of Washington (state)Map showing the location of Turn Island Marine State ParkMap showing the location of Turn Island Marine State ParkTurn Island (the United States)Show map of the United States
Location San Juan County, Washington, United States
Nearest town Friday Harbor, Washington
Coordinates 48°31′57″N 122°58′18″W / 48.53250°N 122.97167°W / 48.53250; -122.97167[1]
Area 34 acres (14 ha)
Elevation 69 ft (21 m)[1]
Designation Washington marine state park
Established 1959[2]
Administrator Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Website Turn Island Marine State Park

Turn Island is a 34-acre (14 ha) island in the San Juan Islands in the Salish Sea in the U.S. state of Washington. The island sits in the San Juan Channel about 900 feet off the east coast of San Juan Island. It is preserved as Turn Island Marine State Park and is part of the San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The island has 12 campsites and is only accessible by water.[2]

Charles Wilkes, during the Wilkes Expedition of 1838-1842, thought it was part of San Juan Island and named it Point Salisbury after one of his officers. In 1858, the British found that it was an island with dangerous rocks in the channel between it and San Juan Island. The name Turn Island and Turn Rocks were given to mark the proper sailing channel.[3]

  1. ^ a b "Turn Island State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ a b "Turn Island Marine State Park". Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  3. ^ Phillips, James W. (1971). Washington State Place Names. University of Washington Press. ISBN 0-295-95158-3.