Illahee State Park

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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. 

  1. Activities
  2. Boating
  3. Camping
  4. History
  5. Maps

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).