The name 'Illahee' is a Chinook Jargon word meaning 'earth' or 'land'.
The park's stone kitchen shelter is a preserved structure built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.
The beach is a designated location for recreational clamming and oyster harvesting when seasonal state regulations permit.
The park acts as a riparian corridor, providing habitat for various bird species including the great blue heron and the bald eagle.
The park is located on a former site of a Native American village, evidenced by historic shell middens found in the area.
The park serves as a common waypoint for paddlers traversing the Kitsap Peninsula water trails.
Illahee State Park is a 75-acre marine camping park situated on the shores of Port Orchard Bay in Bremerton, Washington. The park features 1,785 feet of saltwater shoreline, providing direct access to beachcombing and saltwater activities. It offers a combination of 21 tent sites and 25 utility sites for overnight camping. The forested grounds are primarily composed of second-growth timber, including Douglas fir, western red cedar, and big-leaf maple. Visitors can utilize a non-motorized boat launch suitable for kayaks and canoes. The park provides picnic facilities with sheltered tables and designated fire pits. A distinct feature is the historic stone kitchen shelter, which dates back to the Civilian Conservation Corps era in the 1930s. The shoreline is known for its shell-strewn beach and views across the bay toward the Bainbridge Island coastline.
The shoreline at low tide, capturing the stone CCC kitchen shelter in the foreground with the Port Orchard Bay waters behind it.
Check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website for current shellfish harvesting closures before digging.
Book campsites well in advance, as the park is a popular local destination and often reaches capacity on summer weekends.
Bring sturdy, waterproof footwear to navigate the rocky and sometimes muddy shoreline at low tide.
Do not attempt to launch large motorized boats, as the ramp is only designed for hand-carried watercraft.
Campsites are available primarily from spring through early autumn, with limited sites available in winter months.
Practice Leave No Trace principles; keep dogs on a leash at all times; obey all posted signs regarding shellfish harvesting limits.
