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Illahee State Park
Tucked between Bainbridge Island and Bremerton on the Kitsap Peninsula, Illahee State Park occupies prime beachfront on Port Orchard Bay.
A dense, verdant forest backs a shell-strewn beach at this classic state park, where a dock and a watercraft launch allow visitors to arrive by water or land. The fishing, crabbing and shellfish harvesting are superb, and the summertime waters are warm and inviting for swimmers, divers, paddlers and water skiers.
A playground, softball field, horseshoe pits and volleyball courts await, ensuring fun for everyone in the family. A memorial featuring two large naval guns honors the park’s founder, Earl Henry Harkins, and the young men of Bremerton who lost their lives in World War I. Other activities include geocaching and metal detecting.
Pitch a tent or park an RV for a few days for a relaxing break at this Puget Sound beach park.
Park features
Illahee State Park is a 86-acre, marine camping park with 1,785 feet of saltwater frontage on Port Orchard Bay. The park has ample parking, facilities and access to water. Illahee features a veterans’ war memorial and the last stand of old-growth timber in Kitsap County.
Discover Pass: A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.
Automated Pay Station located by the dock in the Day-Use area and can be used to purchase Day-Use and Annual Discover Passes.
ada amenities/facilities
- Campsites
- Picnic area
- Restroom
Use our interactive ADA recreation map to search for other state parks with ADA amenities and facilities.
Picnic & day-use facilities
The park provides three year-round reservable covered picnic shelters with electricity. Additionally, there is one small covered picnic shelter and 90 unsheltered picnic sites available for first come first served use. Every vehicle requires a Day-Use pass or Annual Discover Pass. All reservations should have a confirmation letter and check in at the Ranger Office. Reservations can be made here Day-Use Reservations or call (888)226-7688. Reservations can be made up to nine months in advance from booking date.
Picnic Shelter Reservations: Year Round
Activities
Trails
- 0.5 miles of hiking trails
Water activities & features
- 356 feet of moorage
- 360 feet of dock
- Boating
- Clamming
- Crabbing
- Diving
- Fishing (saltwater)
- Oyster harvesting
- Personal watercraft use
- Swimming
- Watercraft launch
- Waterskiing
Other activities & features
- Beach exploration
- Bird watching
- Geocaching
- Horseshoe pits (3)
- Softball field
- Volleyball fields (2)
- Wildlife viewing
Interpretive opportunities
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.
Additional information
- The park provides a children's play area. As of July 2017, the playground items have been removed for safety concerns. The slide is still available.
- Other activities available include geocaching and metal detecting.
- Activities must not damage park resources, leave rubbish, decorations or items that may be hazardous to wildlife (examples: confetti, rice, sidewalk chalk, silly string etc.)
- Metal detecting requires registration and is allowed in designated park areas. Metal detecting information click here Metal Detecting Information
- All professional filming and photography require a permit. Permits take up to 60 days to process. Click here for more information Filming and Photography Permit Information
- 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 and Wildlife.
- Printable park brochure (PDF).
Boating features
Located in Kitsap County on Puget Sound, Illahee has one boat ramp.
Boat launch requires a +8 tide for launch; paved drop does not allow for safe launch at lower tides.
Launching a boat at a state park requires one of the following:
- An annual launch permit (Natural Investment Permit; or
- An annual Discover Pass and a daily launch permit; or
- A one-day Discover Pass and a daily launch permit. 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
Boat launch
Latitude: 47º 35' 51" N (47.5975)
Longitude: 122º 35' 26.16" W (-122.5906)
Boat moorage
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. All moorage is first come, first served. Moorage stays are limited to 3 consecutive nights only. Boats larger than 45ft are not permitted to moor at buoys and are required to use docks. There is a one boat, no rafting, restriction on all buoys. Daily and annual permits are available. For full details and rules click here: Moorage Information or by phone at 360-902-8844.
Latitude: 47º 35' 56.97" N (47.5991)
Longitude: 122º 35' 31.92" W (-122.5922)
Campsite information
The park has 23 standard sites, one full-hookup site, 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 (limited availability). Campsite reservations are available year round. Reservations can be made up to nine months in advance from reservation booking date by calling (888) 226-7688 or online at Reservation Booking
- Sites: 1-23 are standard sites without hook-ups
- Site: 24 is a full hook-up site (water, electricity and sewer)
Reservations are year-round for all sites.
All campsites can accommodate tents, RV or trailer depending on length. 8 people per site maximum and one extra vehicle is allowed with an overnight pass for $10 per night; depending on size of site.
Check reservation information for site sizes and limits.
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time is 1 p.m.
Reservations & fees
Reservations can be made online or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. For fee information, check out our camping rates page.
Historical information
Illahee State Park was established in 1934, by a land donation of 13 acres from Kitsap County.
Pacific Yew tree
The Illahee State Parks Yew tree is estimated to have sprung from seed around the year 1610. The Pacific Yew, sometimes called the "medicine man" of the forest, is a slow growing evergreen tree/shrub and is one of the most long-lived trees in the area. Native Americans regard the tree as a subject of legend and an important spiritual connection to the forest. This beautiful tree had survived on the Kitsap Peninsula for over 400 years. During a wind storm in December 2020 our amazing tree was brought down by the elements. The tree will be kept where it fell and visitors can view the tree and read about it's history at the park.