Mystery Bay: Overview
Park overview:
This 10-acre marine park is reachable by car or boat. The park features 685 feet of saltwater shoreline on Mystery Bay and offers a spectacular view of the Olympic Mountains.Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page.
Park hours/updates:
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Winter: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The park is open year round for day use only.
Agency information:
Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.
The Discover Pass now can be used on either of two vehicles!Annual pass: $30
One-day pass: $10
(Transaction and dealer fees may apply)
A Discover Pass is required for motor-vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Exemptions: Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, the Discover Pass is not required if you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, for the duration of your stay at that state park. For additional exemptions and more information, please visit the Discover Pass website.
Campsite Information:
The park has no camping.Park Features
This 10-acre marine park features 685 feet of saltwater shoreline and offers a spectacular view of the Olympic Mountains. This park is of primary interest to boaters, although it is reachable by car or boat.
History
The name "Mystery Bay" derives from smuggling activity on the island during Prohibition days. Transporting booze from Canada was a profitable and somewhat honored occupation in the remote waters of northwest Washington. Sequestered between Marrowstone and Indian Islands, Kilisut Harbor was one refuge used by smugglers to evade Coast Guard vessels. Smugglers' boats were easily hidden in the overhanging trees at a small bay near the end of the harbor. Smugglers' regular disappearance here was categorized by the Coast Guard as "mysterious," hence the name of the bay.Interpretive opportunities
The park offers no interpretive activities.Services/Supplies
| Available in the area | |
| • Boat rental • Camping • Gifts • Groceries • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone • Postal service • Propane • Wood |
The park has limited facilities, but there is a general store within a mile of the park at Nordland.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
| • Fishing (freshwater) • Boating (saltwater) • 1 boat ramp (saltwater) • 683 feet of moorage (saltwater) • Diving • Personal Watercraft (saltwater) • Clamming • Crabbing • Oysters | • Beach Exploration • Bird Watching • 3 Fire Circles | |
Clams and oysters can be found on the beach at low tide, and crabbing is good off-shore. A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website. | ||
Events
Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free. The Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park on ten designated free days in 2013.
The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:
Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:
Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Find other events at Washington State Parks
Boating Features
The park offers one single-lane launch ramp, which drops gently down the beach north of the floats.A daily watercraft launching permit for $7 and a trailer dumping permit for $5 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 provides 683 feet of moorage and a boat pumpout station.
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.
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
The park provides one kitchen shelter without electricity, plus four unsheltered picnic tables, all available first come, first served. Drinking water is available, however the water contains high levels of sodium. Sodium intolerant persons should not consume.Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
| • Deer or Elk • Otters • Rabbits | • Doves or Pigeons • Eagles • Gulls • Wrens | • Clams • Crabs • Oysters • Sea Birds • Seals • Shellfish • Starfish • Perch |
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | Plant Life | ||
| • Cedar • Douglas Fir • Berries • Seaweed |
