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]

Turn Island Marine State Park
Map showing the location of Turn Island Marine State Park
Map showing the location of Turn Island Marine State Park
Location in the state of Washington
Map showing the location of Turn Island Marine State Park
Map showing the location of Turn Island Marine State Park
Turn Island (the United States)
LocationSan Juan County, Washington, United States
Nearest townFriday Harbor, Washington
Coordinates48°31′57″N 122°58′18″W / 48.53250°N 122.97167°W / 48.53250; -122.97167[1]
Area34 acres (14 ha)
Elevation69 ft (21 m)[1]
DesignationWashington marine state park
Established1959[2]
AdministratorWashington State Parks and Recreation Commission
WebsiteTurn Island Marine State Park

History

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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]

See also

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References

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  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.
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