ILLAHEE STATE PARK
Illahee State Park is a 75-acre marine camping park with 1,785 feet of saltwater frontage on Port Orchard Bay. Illahee means earth or country in the Indian tradition, and views of Puget Sound from the Illahee beach give the viewer a sense of what that word meant to native people. The park has plenty of parking space, lots of fresh air, facilities for a number of outdoor activities and access to a variety of water sports. The park features a veterans' war memorial and the last stand of old-growth timber in Kitsap County. One of the largest yew trees in the nation grows in this park. The beach provides great views of Puget Sound.
Indian tradition states that the word "Illahee" means "earth" or "country." Illahee State Park was acquired in seven parcels between 1934 and 1954.
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the
Discover Pass web page.
The park has 23 tent spaces, two utility space, one dump station, four restrooms (two ADA) and two showers. Tent spaces are suitable for any RV, but provide no hookups. Maximum site length is 40 feet (may have limited availability). All campsites are first come, first served.
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.Length of stay: You may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park during the summer; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
A one-lane boat launch is available on Port Orchard Bay.
A daily watercraft launching permit and a trailer dumping permit may be purchased at the park.
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available
The park also offers a pier, 356 feet of moorage dock and five moorage buoys.
Moorage fees are charged year round for mooring at docks, floats and buoys from 1 p.m. to 8 a.m. Daily and annual permits are available. For more information, call (360) 902-8844.
Enjoy fishing from a 300-foot dock or shoreline for species like salmon, flounder and sole. Crabbing is also popular here.
Boasting two shellfish beaches, clamming and oystering are other available options to enjoy the marine life bounty.
A boat ramp provides easy access for those who prefer deep water angling in Puget Sound waters.
Remember that all activities require appropriate licenses which must be obtained before your visit.
Illahee State Park is located near Bainbridge Island, Bremerton and Edmonds
The park provides three reservable kitchen shelters with electricity and one available first-come, first-served, plus 90 additional unsheltered picnic sites. To reserve kitchen shelters, call the park at (360) 478-6460. Picnic sites are available first-come, first-served. Day-use groups of 20 or more are required to register and pay the applicable fees.
Birdwatchers can spot species like the Pileated Woodpecker, Bald Eagle, and various waterfowl. The park's forested areas attract songbirds such as warblers and thrushes. In winter months, seabirds including loons and grebes are common sights near the shoreline.
A veterans' war memorial is located in the park. Several interpretive displays are available that explain park features such as stilted trees, a Works Progress Administration-built kitchen shelter, totem garden, yew tree and the pier.
Located three miles north of Bremerton, Wash., on the Kitsap Peninsula in Kitsap County.
From Hwy. 3, north or south:Take East Bremerton exit at north end of Silverdale. Follow road to Sylvan Way (about 7.5 miles). Take a left and drive to park entrance (about 1.5 miles).
I was a bit disappointed -- only because we expected a real old-growth forest, and a real sandy beach. That, combined with the fact that we made the trek from Seattle, plus paid the expensive $10 day pass (would have been better just to buy a $30 annual pass!), with NO map of the area, a very small stand of middle-growth trees (not the TRUE old growth of Olympic National Park), and a sandy beach about the width of a ruler. Very underwhelming. There are far better places to visit in my opinion.
My wife and I discovered this park years ago and go there 3-4 times a year to camp. The views are spectacular, the trails are challenging, the security is top notch and the park is kept so clean its unbelievable! Their are memorials to visit! The ocean front is just down the hill where you can walk the beach and the large dock. Once you are camping you forget where you really are do to its excellent location, and yet nearby stores are only minutes away! Need firewood? No problem they have it! Excellent bath facilities as well! Take the journey to Illahee State Park for a weekend adventure and tell them Mike sent you!
Hidden jewel that is near town. Great hiking trails but very steep. Clean well kept with vigilent Ranger services. Small RVs only less than 36 ft. Only space 25 safely accomdates slides and awnings. 24 dollars gets you full hook-ups with 50amp service. Conveniently located by the Sound and a short walk but very steep down to the waters edge. Fish crab clam swim picnic.
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