MYSTERY BAY STATE PARK
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. 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.
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.
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the
Discover Pass web page.
The park has no camping.
The park offers one single-lane launch ramp, which drops gently down the beach north of the floats.
A daily watercraft launching permit and a trailer dumping permit 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.
Mystery Bay State Park is located near Camano Island, Port Townsend and Bothell
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 intolerate persons should not consume.
Located on the west side of Marrowstone Island off the Olympic Peninsula in Jefferson County.
By car from Hadlock:Drive one mile south on Oak Bay Road turn left onto SR 116 and continue eight miles, crossing bridge, skirting Indian Island, and crossing a spit to Marrowstone Island. The road name changes to Flagler Road. Drive approximately six miles and turn left into park.
By car from Seattle or Edmonds:Take the Kingston Ferry or Bainbridge Ferry and follow signs to the Hood Canal Bridge. Cross over and drive five miles, then turn right onto easily-missed Highway 19 (Beaver Valley Road). Travel 10 miles, turn right onto Chimacum-Center Road. At the four-way stop in Port Hadlock, turn right onto Oak Bay Road. Drive approximately one mile and turn left onto SR 116. Drive approximately eight miles, turn left into the park.
By boat:Boat access is the channel through Kilisut Harbor. The narrow channel makes an S-curve at the entrance. Any deviation from the center of the channel can lead to grounding. Mystery Bay is on east side of harbor, two miles south of entrance.
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