Illahee State Park - Washington

Park Overview

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

History

Indian tradition states that the word "Illahee" means "earth" or "country." Illahee State Park was acquired in seven parcels between 1934 and 1954.

Park Features

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.

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.

Physical Features

Illahee features typical Puget Sound shoreline with some sandy beach area and old-growth forest.

Address

3540 NE Bahia Vista Drive, Bremerton, WA 98310

Directions

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).

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