American Camp Visitor Center Portable Restrooms, Bottle Filling Station Open April 16

Contributed Image. Site plan at American Camp.

The Building is Expected Open Around Memorial Day

From San Juan Island National Historic Park

The American Camp Visitor Center site opens 9 a.m., Friday, April 16.

The parking lot will remain open and a new bottle filling station will be available.

Restrooms are currently available as port-a-pots as permanent facilities are being finished and will open soon.  Other restroom facilities will continue to be available at both the Fourth of July Beach parking lot and South Beach.

While the new visitor center building is complete, interior and exterior exhibits are still being created and prepared for installation later this year and continuing into early 2022.

You’ll notice some items are “missing” and we appreciate your patience as we continue to finish this incredible project for visitors.

We hope to be able to open the building closer to Memorial Day in accordance with public health measures for visitors in need of information, maps, etc.

Plans

Over the past 40 years, the American Camp Visitor Center has served millions of visitors who come to San Juan Island wanting to learn about the significant historic stories that occurred here and experience the many outdoor recreational opportunities.

The National Park Service will replace the more than 40-year-old visitor center at American Camp in the same location with a visitor information and orientation facility designed with an exterior plaza, gathering and demonstration space and picnic areas.

Other project components include expanded parking, replacement of the septic system, additional administrative campsites for park volunteers and seasonal staff, expansion of the maintenance storage area, and relocation of the visitor center entrance road.

When the double-wide building arrived in 1977, the building was supposed to be a three-year temporary facility until a more permanent structure could be built.

After many years in the making, with securing funds, going through rigorous public scoping, and an environmental assessment, San Juan Island National Historic Park will finally get a new visitor center that properly highlights the rich cultural history of the area, as well as the spectacular natural setting at the American Camp.

To follow the construction progress, check out the 2019-2021 American Camp Visitor Center Construction Blog or the center’s construction page. 

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