San Juan Islands Tour 2026

Event Description

*Event details are still being finalized and are subject to change.

The San Juan Islands, nestled in the Salish Sea between the Olympic Peninsula and Point Roberts, Vancouver Island and the Skagit Valley, tempt vacationers, explorers, avid recreationalists, and all those seeking a unique getaway to someplace extraordinary.

We’re crafting a Tour for all ages to let you discover the wonders of the Islands at your own pace and curiosity level. Loops around at least three of the most bikeable Islands range from 33 to 55 miles with plenty of time during and after to experience savory delights, satisfying rides, and other-worldly relaxation.

Starting from our base camp at Lopez Farm Cottage & Tent Camping on Lopez Island, we’ll take advantage of Washington Ferries inter-island service to also experience San Juan Island from English to American Camps, Orcas’ stunning mountain range from sleepy Deer Harbor to majestic Mt Constitution, as well as a countryside loop on Lopez.

With three days (and an optional "on your own" fourth day) of mapped routes over three islands, cyclists may choose to ride as much or as little of the terrain as they wish. All will gather on Lopez for the first day’s introduction to island life and an easy warm-up ride of 37 miles. Whether you take an afternoon or evening ferry for Tuesday's accommodation or catch the early morning Wednesday boat from Anacortes, you’ll have plenty of time to check in, pitch a tent, or sling a hammock before the first half-day’s pedal. We’ll reconvene for a group supper (bbq, anyone?) and rider briefing covering the following day’s options around San Juan Island.

Another rider briefing Thursday evening will present your options for the Friday excursion across Orcas Island. Riders may arc over the top of the island and then return to Lopez to complete their day. Or the more intrepid will be able to venture all the way to Doe Bay for an extra night’s rest and recuperation before kicking off a fourth day’s ride with the possibility of reaching the top of Mt. Constitution in Moran State Park.

Riders may return at their own schedule to Anacortes, from either Orcas or Lopez Island.
 

Registration

Registration opens to members on Tuesday, March 17 at 10 a.m. Registration opens to non-members on Tuesday, April 14 at 10 a.m.

Registration closes on Sunday, Aug. 2 or once all available slots are filled. This tour has a maximum capacity of 200 riders.

Route

Event Schedule

Inclusion

Everyone is welcome at Cascade events. We are committed to celebrating and promoting diversity in the bicycling community. We aim to provide safe spaces at start lines, finish lines, and official rest stops. Read our commitment to anti-racism and our participant code of conduct and grievance policy.

We would like to acknowledge that our rides take place on native land. Our offices are located on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present.

Food & Breaks

Food and break details will be provided soon.

Where to Stay

Lopez Farm Cottages & Tent Camping is where Cascade will have its main base camp. Just a short 2.5-mile ride from the Ferry dock, enjoy a range of accommodations from treed and open-field tent camping (bordered by sturdy wall-tents) across the upper field to the lower acreage dotted with a handful of cozy cottages. As Cascade has booked out the facility for the week, riders will need to select their level of shelter at registration to reserve space on the site.

• Cottages: 4 Available, $1,260/Tour. Each cottage has a queen size bed, full bathroom, kitchenette, hot plate, microwave, minifridge, coffee & tea, free WiFi, and a fireplace. 

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• Glamping Wall Tents: 5 Available, $735/Tour. Furnished 10’x12’ canvas tent on a raised cedar deck. Queen size bed, towels, dishware, and private porch with seating. Access to the communal Camp Building: open air showers, flushing toilets, outdoor kitchenette w/microwave, sink, and large fireplace.

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• Walk-In Tent Sites: 30 Available, $110/Tour. Traditional walk in campsite. Includes two Adirondack chairs and picnic table. Riders must provide their own tents. There is enough space for a 1- or 2-person tent. Access to the communal Camp Building: open air showers, flushing toilets, outdoor kitchenette w/microwave, sink, and large fireplace.

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If you book at Lopez Farm Cottages and Tent Camping through Cascade and have questions about the space, please contact Lopez Farm Cottages and Tent Camping. If you have any questions about your reservation (ie. refunds, booking, etc.) contact Cascade at info@cascade.org.

Odlin County Park, halfway from the Ferry, has a group-camp ring of sites near the main entrance, also pre-reserved and bookable through ride registration.

Lopez Islander Resort on the other side of the Village (another 2 miles from the Farm) also has ample tent camping available, as well as a scarce few RV sites and hotel-style rooms, all with sumptuous water views. Call Kathy at the Resort directly — (360) 468-2233 — and identify yourself as "with Cascade” to claim held spaces.

Plan to park your vehicle at the long-term lot near the Anacortes Ferry as accommodations on Lopez have no room for the number of vehicles our riders could overrun the Island.

San Juan Island has several more B&Bs, inns, small hotels, and a couple resorts, but you’ll have to carefully coordinate your ferries from there to meet up with our biking group on the other Islands for a couple days.

Doe Bay Resort has set aside camping grounds for tenters to book at registration for those planning to linger an extra night to tackle Orcas’ mighty Mt. Constitution on Saturday. We will arrange to transport your gear to the far end of Orcas Island if you pack up Friday morning. Those wishing to enjoy one of the Doe Bay cabins or yurts will need to arrange that directly with the Resort.

Fortunately, WA State Ferries makes arrangements with us to accept bibbed riders aboard most crossings without further fare. Check your luggage (and camp gear) with the Cascade truck at the Anacortes terminal to have it shuttled to Lopez for you. Sign in and receive your ride bib
there ahead of boarding.

Also, be sure you keep that bib on you or your bike to assure your passage on our designated crossings to be able to Tour throughout the San Juan Islands.
 

Parking Policy

If you are camping at Lopez Farm Cottages and Tenting, you will need to park your car at the Anacortes parking lot and bike onto the ferry. You do NOT have parking available at Lopez Farm Cottages and Tenting. 

If you are staying somewhere else with parking opportunities, feel free to drive onto the ferry. However, we want to respect the island's wishes to limit cars as much as possible. If you can bikepack to your location, we encourage it! If you are planning to drive onto Lopez Island, ensure you get a ferry reservation as soon as possible.

Baggage Truck

*Ferry times are subject to change due to delay in summer ferry schedule release. Check the week before the tour.

Baggage trucks will be available at Anacortes long-term lot for you to drop off your luggage for your tour. We will have a baggage truck for ferry times on Tuesday, August 4 at 4:20 p.m. and 7:05 p.m., and Wednesday, August 5 at 9:35 a.m.**. The baggage truck will be available for luggage drop from 6:00 a.m. to the ferry time it is assigned (see previous times). You will be able to put your baggage on the truck earlier if you plan on taking an earlier ferry.

The baggage truck will have three drop off locations, Lopez Farm Cottages and Tenting and Lopez Islander Resort and Marina, and Odlin County Park.  Make sure your baggage has your filled out Cascade baggage tag with the location to ensure it goes to the right spot. 

**Times will change due to the summer ferry schedule that is not set yet. These are estimates based on the WA Ferries’ 2025 summer schedule.

***Review the week before your tour as timing changes. Oh, the ferry and island life!

Support During the Ride

This ride is supported by Cascade staff and volunteers.

Support and gear (SAG) vehicles are present on the route and dispatched when you call the ride support hotline. SAG vehicles can transport you and most models of bikes in the event of a mechanical or minor medical event. You should always call 911 in a life-threatening emergency.

Weather

August weather can bring many things: rain, extreme heat, and lots of sun. Morning temperatures may vary drastically from midday temperatures. Wear or bring layers to have available on your bike with you, and lots of sunscreen.

Get your bike tuned up and in shape to ride on gravel and roads. Bring front and rear lights, backup batteries, install fenders, service your brakes, and clean your chain.

E-Bikes

Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are permitted on this ride, which utilizes multi-use trails.

Training

The Cascade Training Series is a twelve-week ride series designed to prepare you for long-distance and multi-day rides. Riders of all paces will not only building their strength and endurance, but also their confidence.

To help you prepare for this ride, you can also check out our extensive schedule of Free Group Rides in the Puget Sound area. Find rides that fit your schedule and desired pace and distance. 

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact our Sponsorship team: sponsorship@cascade.org.