Shaw Island is a tiny member of the San Juan Islands. It is therefore a perfect place for solitude. The small general store at the ferry terminal is more of a lazy gathering of locals than it is a business. The rest of the hilly island is primarily made up of farms and seasonal residences.

If you are bringing a car, then I strongly recommend going with a full tank of gas. Do all of your shopping before you get on the ferry to Shaw, because you probably won’t be able to purchase what you want or need on the island. And bring a book. This is a great place to slow down, and the quiet and calm on the island is perfect for diving into a good story.

Peace and quiet aside, there are a few adventuresome ways to spend time on Shaw Island. This is not a place where you will find kayak outfitters or guided tours. Rather, Shaw Island is a place where you will find genuine opportunities to still your mind and wander. Here are my recommendations:

Camp at Shaw Island County Park

If you don’t like “roughing it,” then Shaw Island is not for you. This campground is your only lodging option. They do not allow RVs or trailers, and even discourage camper vans. For me, this is a perk, and means that you will either have the campground to yourself, or be with other tenters.

Our neighbors were a lovely couple who were in the middle of several months of cycling and ferrying from island to island. We had an intense conversation about minimalist cookware that could only have been had between kindred spirits. After much debate and demonstration, it was decided that an Esbit stove is the most superior way to cook when your concern is the weight in your pack.

Hike at Cedar Rock Preserve

This University of Washington field station is the perfect place to explore the forests, hills, and shorelines of Shaw Island. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, harbor seals, and bald eagles as you explore the pathways. Also, remember that this is an active field station, so don’t go off the pathways unless you have scientific permission.

Visit Our Lady of the Rock

This Benedictine Monastery accepts guests who are visiting Shaw Island for spiritual purposes. Unless you are looking for a more intentional type of solitude, I recommend simply stopping for a visit at the monastery’s gift shop, where you can find fresh cheese, herbs, and yarn spun from the wool of their sheep. You can learn more about the sisters and their work at this monastery here: https://olrmonastery.org/.

If you find yourself in the Pacific Northwest, and are looking for a road-much-less-traveled type of island experience, check out Shaw Island. It may be small, there may be little to do, but sometimes that is just what a person needs.

Being here helped me realize that I rarely find myself in a place where nobody is trying to sell me anything. Recognizing that helped me appreciate how lucky I am to be able to have these kinds of experiences, and to escape into the outdoors whenever life is wearing me down.

For more island adventures, check out my two day itinerary for Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada.