Anchorage· Saddlebag· Salish Sea — San Juans, Gulf Islands & Desolation Sound
Saddlebag Island Marine State Park (Padilla Bay)
48° 32.3′ N · 122° 33.4′ W · approximate
A small state park island at the north-west edge of Padilla Bay, just east of Guemes Island, with a few primitive camp sites and short trails. It is a quick escape from Anacortes and a known crabbing spot.
Practical
Position is approximate, in the north bay, which State Parks says gives the most wind protection and the easiest landing. No docks or buoys: anchor and row in. Four primitive sites (one for paddlers and sailors only), toilets, fire pits, no water, no garbage service. Crabbing needs a WDFW licence. Current in Saddle Bag Island Passage is modest (NOAA PUG1736 predictions peaked near 1.1 knots in June-July 2026), but Padilla Bay beyond is mostly drying flats: keep to deep water east of Guemes. Contact 360-376-2073.
Best for
Short hop from Anacortes, crabbing and a beach camp
Season
May-Sep
Nearby
- Guemes Mountain Trail (Guemes Island)1.5 NM away
- Cap Sante Park Viewpoint (Anacortes)2.3 NM away
- Cap Sante Marina (Anacortes)2.5 NM away
- Anacortes US Customs Office (Anacortes)2.6 NM away
- Seafarers' Memorial Park Shore (Anacortes)2.6 NM away
- Anacortes Groceries (Anacortes)2.7 NM away
- Guemes Island Ferry Landing (Anacortes)2.9 NM away
- Cypress Head (Cypress Island)4.7 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).