WHY YOU NEED TO ESCAPE TO THIS MAGICAL ISLAND RESORT IN THE SAN JUANS ASAP

When you think of Washington, you probably don't initially think of its amazing islands just off the coast, which are just a short ferry ride away. There are actually hundreds of islands waiting to be explored that offer a true escape from everyday life. Some of the most popular islands off the coast of Washington State are the San Juans, with the most visited being San Juan Island. We had a fantastic opportunity to explore and stay on San Juan Island at Lakedale, and it was truly an experience I'll remember forever. There are two main harbors on the island, Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor, and Lakedale is right in the middle, making it a convenient and desirable location.

Disclaimer: This article is in partnership with Lakedale, but as always, all opinions and thoughts are my own. This post also features some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your love and support!

Why you should stay at Lakedale on San Juan Island

Lakedale is a resort located on 82 wooded acres with three spring-water lakes. As I mentioned before, the property is conveniently situated between Roche Harbor and Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, making it a great spot for enjoying coffee in the morning at one harbor and dinner at the other. With numerous activities suitable for people of all ages, Lakedale is an excellent destination for vacations, meetings and retreats, weddings, and other events. It offers various types of accommodations, including an adults-only Lodge, family-and-dog-friendly campsites, Canvas Cabins, Cottages, and a newly-opened Yurt Village, making it the perfect place for every type of traveler with every type of budget — which is very important. In addition, I couldn’t help but think of my friends and family who might like different accommodations over the other. I could totally see my parents staying in The Lodge vs. Andrew and I wanting to explore the Canvas Cottages among other awesome options!

How to get to San Juan Island

There are a couple of different ways to get to the island which is awesome! Our go-to way to get to the San Juans is by Washington State Ferry, however, you can reach the island by seaplane as well. Lakedale is a fabulous page on their website (here) with a ton of details on companies to use and how to book whether you want to take the ferry or hop on a seaplane.

What is it like staying in the famous yurts at Lakedale?

Glamping is taken to the NEXT LEVEL with these glamorous yurts in a secluded yurt village at the end of Lakedale’s property. The yurt village is truly magical with each yurt tucked into the forest separated from one another to maintain the utmost privacy. When it comes to yurts, these at Lakedale are 11/10. I mean, you don’t even feel like you’re in a yurt because of the way they designed them. Each yurt is 450 square feet of light-filled luxury and includes a large sitting area with a sleeper sofa, rocking chair, dining table, as well as a flat-panel TV, refrigerator, and fully enclosed bathroom. In addition, there's a king-size pillow-top bed with a flannel duvet cover. Andrew and I quite literally slept like babies because it was so comfy. What’s great is that you can wake up to the natural light pouring in and be surrounded by the birds chirping outside. If you’re a birder, you’re going to love sitting on the deck enjoying your coffee while watching the various birds fly by.

Each yurt gives luxury x Scandinavian vibes. Andrew and I love Scandinavian decor and pretty much everything else to do with Nordic countries so we loved the natural wood color and modern style. In addition to loving the decor, I loved having a personal coffee maker in the kitchen with liquid coffee creamer. These little luxuries mean so much to me because not all places have a coffee maker let alone liquid creamer! So each morning I was able to make a cup of coffee, slap on some eye patches, and enjoy my coffee outside on the deck.

If there’s one thing about me you should know, it’s that I’m going to be in the hot tub as much as possible if there’s one available. Andrew was cooking our dinner on the grill and you can bet I was hanging out in the hot tub drinking wine while waiting for dinner. We LOVE going out for dinner but we also love shopping for groceries and cooking dinner while traveling — especially when we have the capability to grill sweet corn, asparagus, and steak! We picked up our groceries from King’s Market in Friday Harbor and they had a wonderful selection of goodies. Each yurt has a private deck for guests to enjoy a soak in the hot tub, as I mentioned before, a grill for guests to use with grilling tools provided, and a table with chairs to eat outside if your heart desires.

What was it like seeing the northern lights on San Juan Island?

The stars quite literally aligned for us the weekend we stayed at Lakedale because we got a show in the sky I’ll never forget. Andrew and I are in love with everything space, stars, and the northern lights because of our honeymoon in Iceland when we first saw them. Since moving to Washington State, we thought we might be able to see a hazy glow of the northern lights being so far north but not quite enough north to see an incredible dance in the sky as you typically do further north. Well… we were so wrong on this weekend because something insane happened and we were at the perfect place at the perfect time with a private deck at our yurt. I still get emotional every single time I see the northern lights and was crying while photographing this wild sight. From greens to reds, and even purples, the sky was quite literally dancing for us. Staying at Lakedale was already such a special vacation for Andrew and me but this was the cherry on top! That being said, be sure to check the northern lights radar while you’re on site and set alarms to wake up in case the northern lights decide to dance for you.

What other accommodations does Lakedale offer?

The Lodge Rooms

The Lodge is most likely the first place you’ll see when arriving at Lakedale because it’s at the heart of the property and where you’ll check-in. When you walk into the main area of The Lodge you’ll be greeted by a massive fireplace accompanied with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking one of the lakes on the property. The Lodge is the only accommodation on the property that is adults only (16 years or older) to preserve its peaceful, relaxed, and romantic atmosphere. Guest will sink into sleep in the freshly updated guest rooms. The rooms include a custom bed, a comfy pillow-top mattress, a flat-screen TV, a private deck or balcony, a gas fireplace, and a luxurious jetted tub. Guests have the option of a room with a king bed overlooking the lake, two queen beds with lake views, or a suite with two bedrooms and woodland views. In addition, guests are treated to a delightful breakfast with the chef’s choice of egg dish of the day, delicious granola, pancakes, fresh fruit, and more.

Log Cabins

The Log Cabins are perfect for families, friends, or couples seeking more space. There are six cozy Log Cabins that can accommodate up to six guests for a relaxing San Juan Island vacation. Guests can unpack and unwind with two bedrooms and two full baths, a sofa bed, a full kitchen and dining nook, a gas fireplace, and a large cedar deck. I immediately thought these would be perfect for my parents, Andrew, and me to stay in or for us to stay in with our couple friends. Each Log Cabin includes an outdoor grill perfect for making delicious dinners. In addition, there is a firepit area for roasting marshmallows with chairs to gather around with friends and stargaze. All of the cabins are dog-friendly which is great for us with our two doodles. There is a one-time canine fee of $50 per dog per stay with a maximum of two dogs per cabin.

Canvas Cabins

If you love nature and being in the woods but tent camping is not your thing, consider this upscale camping experience in these custom-built Canvas Cabins and Canvas Cottages. I feel like these glamping canvas accommodations are becoming more and more popular for those who need a real bed but want the feel of camping. Canvas Cabins sleep 4 and feature queen-size pillow-top beds with flannel duvets, a dining table, and a full-size futon! I’m still shook at how this all fits into a Canvas Cabin. The way the cabin is styled is so chic too which, as y’all know, is a big bonus for me. There is no electricity or running water in the Canvas Cabins; however, it’s just a short walk to the shower and restroom facilities.

Canvas Cottages

If you need a restroom and shower but still want to glamp then The Canvas Cottages are absolutely for you! Each Canvas Cottage sleeps 4 and includes over-the-top glamping luxury such as a fabulous chandelier on beautiful lakefront sites. Each cottage contains a king-size pillow-top bed, flannel duvet, dining table, a full bathroom with shower, and a daybed sleeper that converts to a king-size bed. Each cottage has a place to relax on the front porch with four chairs, a picnic table, and a fire ring perfect for grilling hot dogs or toasting marshmallows.

The Glamp-ground amenities

Lakedale’s glamp-ground is open from May through September during the best time of the year in Washington State. Canvas Cabin and Canvas Cottage guests are offered a complimentary continental breakfast in the Mess Tent every morning. Selections include granola, cereal, pancakes, fresh fruit, bagels, muffins, hearty oatmeal, hard-boiled eggs, juice, freshly brewed coffee, hot chocolate, and teas. There are no pets allowed in the Canvas Cabins and Canvas Cottages so keep that in mind while booking.

RV Sites

Whether you’re traveling in a tiny tear-drop trailer, an Airstream, or a 40-foot rig, Lakedale offers RV camping with all the benefits of a resort. I still can’t believe you can RV camp or stay at a luxury lodge all in one place. Each of Lakedale’s 5 RV sites includes an electrical and water hook-up and is located on a tree-covered knoll at the heart of the resort. With a quick walk to the bathhouse for free hot showers, you won’t have to worry about your gray water tank. Learn more about that here. Pets are allowed in the RV sites, and dog paddling is encouraged! Dine at your picnic table at your designated campsite and end the day by gazing at the stars from your campfire. We drove through the area where the RV campsites are located and it was absolutely STUNNING.

Family Camping

Lakedale is one of the premier places to camp in Washington because it offers all the benefits of a resort, so be sure to get on top of your reservations because camping in Washington during the summer is no joke. The campground is typically available from Memorial Day through Labor Day but may open earlier or stay open later depending on the weather. In addition, you can bring your fur baby with you because Lakedale is a pet-friendly campground.

What are the amenities available at Lakedale?

Explore our 82 acres of forest, meadows, and lakes, and then enjoy one or two or six of our many activities (think tie-dye, giant chess, fishing, bocce, swimming, stand up paddleboards and more).

Everything you need to know about The General Store

Don't forget to check out the General Store at Lakedale - it's a must-visit! It's the main meeting point at Lakedale, located next to the Activities Tent, bike rentals, and close to The Lodge check-in area. At the General Store, you can find everything from groceries to flip-flops, as well as toys for the kids. They stock basic provisions like milk and eggs and also offer a curated selection of regional beer and wine. The Picnic Pantry, their version of Grab-and-Go, has a daily variety of salads, sandwiches, breakfast items, Lakedale signature granola, and house-made pickles. Make sure to grab some S'mores kits for your campfire while you're there too! In the morning, the General Store is a great spot to start your morning with a piping hot espresso drink while you stock up on ice, firewood, camping gear, and unique souvenir items you didn’t know you needed. In addition, The General Store is the place to go for rentals such as fishing poles, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and more. Across from the General Store is a rack of bikes and helmets for guests to grab and enjoy. With how vast the property is, it’s a great way to explore!

What activities are available?

The tent across from The General Store is THE place to go for activities. Guests can tie-dye T-shirts, paint birdhouses, make jewelry, and even go on a Lakedale scavenger hunt.

ON THE WATER: Lakedale features three spring-water lakes, offering various ways to enjoy water activities. You can relax by doing yoga on a stand-up paddleboard, or opt for more adventure by canoeing, kayaking, or riding an Aquacycle. Fishing at Lakedale is suitable for both adults and kids. After catching trout and bass, you can unwind at the sandy, kid-friendly beaches or spend the day floating on the water.

ON LAND: Feel free to play a game of giant chess, bocce ball, or horseshoes with your family, or gather a big group to play volleyball. If you love nature, you can also enjoy a bike ride or go for a hike around Lakedale's property while admiring the incredible art installations.

Explore the gorgeous art installations at Lakedale

A few years ago, the people at Lakedale realized that with 82 acres of natural beauty, they had an excellent opportunity to create site-specific installations of art. In 2018, three artists created Embark/Embrace, a 180-foot-long sculpture that utilizes red cedar and split rail fencing to explore the boundaries erected between man and nature. In 2019, Anthony Heinz May created Frozen Wind. Born of the need to top a 100-foot tree in the Yurt village, Anthony repurposed it into an exceptional work of art we were stunned to see as we walked to our yurt. The installation explores the precarious balance between the natural world and the encroaching digital age. If there’s two things I love it’s nature and art so this combination of both was just wonderful. Read more about this project here.

Overall, we had a wonderful time staying in the yurts at Lakedale and will 100% be coming back to stay. Maybe next time we’ll stay in the Lodge or the Canvas Cottages!

XOXO