Saltwater State Park, Marine protected area in Des Moines, United States.

Saltwater State Park is a marine protected area on Puget Sound spanning roughly 137 acres of forested land. The site offers access to rocky and sandy beaches with tidal pools and shallow waters where visitors can observe sea stars, urchins, and other creatures.

The site was established by the Washington State Parks Commission as a nature reserve and gained Marine Protected Area status in 2009. This designation aimed to safeguard marine life and ecosystems from overuse.

The name comes from the saltwater of Puget Sound, not from any freshwater source. The park lies within the traditional territory of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, and salmon still return to McSorley Creek to spawn. Visitors can watch this run in the creek that winds through the ravine.

The park is open year-round, starting in the morning and closing at dusk. Visitors should check tide tables to find the best times for exploring tide pools and the shoreline safely.

The submerged artificial reef lies off the rocky tideflats on the park's west side, within the 1,445 feet of saltwater frontage. Divers reach it from shore rather than by boat. The park has held Marine Protected Area status since 2009, and salmon spawn in McSorley Creek inland.