Potlatch State Park

Potlatch State Park is a state park along Hood Canal in Mason County, Washington, featuring mature pine forests and rocky shoreline habitat. The grounds extend across approximately 5,700 feet of waterfront with distinct areas for camping, picnicking, and water access.

The region served for centuries as a vital location for shellfish and fish resources for local indigenous communities who depended on these waters for food and trade goods. The park today maintains this tradition through fishery management activities along the creek systems.

The name Potlatch comes from a ceremonial gift-giving festival of Pacific Coast indigenous peoples, symbolizing generosity and community bonds. This naming honors the site's historical connection to local Native practices and values.

The park offers overnight accommodations with standard campsites and electrical hookup sites, all with access to showers and drinking water. Visitors should be prepared for coastal conditions including tidal changes and variable weather throughout the year.

During specific seasons, visitors can harvest clams and oysters directly from the waters with proper permits, connecting them to food-gathering traditions long practiced at this location. This hands-on activity links today's visitors to the same marine resources that sustained earlier communities.

Location: Mason County

Website: http://parks.state.wa.us/569/Potlatch

GPS coordinates: 47.37611,-123.14944

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:23