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Mystery Bay Marine State Park
All but hidden on the west side of Marrowstone Island, Mystery Bay State Park offers a great escape for visitors arriving by land or by water. Boaters can dock or lay anchor and stroll along the grassy and gravelly shoreline or enjoy the inlet's pristine waters.
Take along a kayak or paddleboard, shellfish harvesting buckets (and permits), or scuba gear for a day of recreation. Take in views of the Olympic Mountains from one of six unsheltered, first-come, first-served picnic tables. Cook up those oysters and clams in one of three fire rings, (fires allowed during daylight hours) and enjoy an island sunset before heading to your boat or to your campsite at nearby Fort Flagler State Park.
Park features
Boats can get to this 18-acre day-use park via the channel through Kilisut Harbor. Mystery Bay offers year-round moorage, making it a popular destination with off-season sailors and yachters.
Picnic & day-use facilities
The park provides six unsheltered picnic tables, all available first come, first served. Three fire rings, fires are allowed during daylight hours only. Drinking water is available. There are two vault-type restrooms, no running water, sinks or showers. Overnight camping is not allowed. Primitive campsites for boaters are available at Fort Flagler State Park.
Activities
Water activities & features
- 683 feet of moorage
- Boating
- Clamming
- Crabbing
- Diving
- Fishing (saltwater)
- Oyster harvesting
- Personal watercraft use
- Watercraft launches
Other activities & features
- Beach exploration
- Bird watching
- Clams and oysters can be found on the beach at low tide, and crabbing is good offshore.
- 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.
Boating features
Located in Jefferson County on Puget Sound, Mystery Bay offers one single-lane launch ramp, which drops gently down the beach north of the floats.
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: 48º 3' 23.04" N (48.0564)
Longitude: 122º 41' 43.07" W (-122.6953)
Boat moorage
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.
Latitude: 48º 3' 27" N (48.0575)
Longitude: 122º 41' 47.77" W (-122.6966)
Boat pumpout
A SaniSailor pumpout is available at this facility. The pumpout is available April - October. A slip is available for pumpout usage. Access to this pumpout is limited to vessels with a length of no more than 55 feet.
Latitude: 48° 3' 27.645" N (48.05768)
Longitude: 122° 41' 41.69" W (-122.69491)
Historical information
Mystery Bay falls within the traditional territory of the Chemakum, a small tribe that had a permanent village in Port Townsend, but used Mystery Bay for its abundant clamming. During the early 1800s, the Chemakum population diminished abruptly through war or disease, and their western neighbors, the Klallum came to embrace the area.
Marrowstone Island's main settlement, Nordland, was settled in the early 20th Century. During that time fruit trees were planted on the present-day site of Mystery Bay State Park Property, which suggests farming once took place on the land.
Mystery Bay was acquired by Washington State Parks from the Washington Department of Natural Resources in 1972.