Mason County and Jefferson County, Washington · Olympic Peninsula
Hood Canal
Washington's 65-mile saltwater fjord where oysters come straight off the dock, the Olympics rise behind the tree line, and Navy submarines pass under the floating bridge.
LENGTH
65 miles
TYPE
Saltwater fjord
FROM SEATTLE
~90 min
KNOWN FOR
Oysters & shellfish
REGION
Olympic Peninsula
Hood Canal is a 65-mile saltwater fjord running along the western edge of Puget Sound between the Kitsap Peninsula to the east and the Olympic Peninsula to the west. It is a canal in name only. This is a glacially carved inlet of the sea, narrowing as it bends south at the Great Bend near Hoodsport and ending at the Skokomish River delta. The Olympic Mountains form the backdrop on the western shore, and on clear days the view across the water is one of the better ones in Washington.
The canal is known above all for shellfish. Hood Canal oysters, geoduck, Dungeness crab, and spotted shrimp are harvested commercially and recreationally along its shores. In summer the water temperature rises enough for swimming at state park beaches. Twanoh State Park, Dosewallips State Park, and the Staircase area of Olympic National Park provide outdoor access at multiple points along the 101 corridor. The Hood Canal Bridge, one of the longest floating bridges in the world, connects the canal to the Kitsap Peninsula and opens on demand to let Navy submarines pass through.
Getting Here
Highway 101 runs the full length of the western shore of Hood Canal from Hoodsport south through the Skokomish area and north through Brinnon and Quilcene. From Seattle, take Highway 3 north to the Hood Canal Bridge (State Route 104), cross to the Olympic Peninsula, and drive south on Highway 101. The drive from Seattle to Hoodsport takes about 90 minutes. From Olympia, drive north on Highway 101 directly up the canal.
Things to Do
Food
Hood Canal Shellfish
Hood Canal produces some of the best shellfish in the Pacific Northwest including oysters, geoduck, Dungeness crab, and the prized spotted shrimp. Taylor Shellfish Farms near Quilcene sells direct from the source with waterfront picnic tables. Several roadside stands along Highway 101 sell fresh catch throughout the season.
Beach
Twanoh State Park
On the Great Bend of Hood Canal, Twanoh is one of the few places in Washington where saltwater swimming is genuinely comfortable in summer. The park has a swimming beach, boat launch, picnic areas, and a campground set in old-growth timber directly on the canal.
Nature
Dosewallips State Park
Where the Dosewallips River meets Hood Canal, this state park offers camping, river swimming, and beach access in one location. The river estuary attracts elk, great blue herons, and harbor seals. The park is also a trailhead into the Olympic National Forest above.
Hiking
Staircase and Olympic National Park
The Staircase area of Olympic National Park sits at the head of the North Fork Skokomish River, about 20 miles up the road from Hoodsport. Trails here pass through old-growth Douglas fir and cedar with river crossings and canyon views on the popular Staircase Rapids loop.
Scenic
Hood Canal Floating Bridge
One of the longest floating bridges in the world at 6,521 feet, the Hood Canal Bridge connects the Kitsap Peninsula to the Olympic Peninsula on State Route 104. It opens on demand to allow Navy submarines to pass, and the crossing gives a ground-level view of the canal that you cannot get from Highway 101.
Water
Kayaking Hood Canal
The calm, protected waters of Hood Canal make excellent sea kayaking, with the Olympic Mountains as a constant backdrop and abundant wildlife including harbor seals, bald eagles, and great blue herons. The southern reach near Union and the Great Bend is the most sheltered and most dramatically scenic.
Resort
Alderbrook Resort and the Great Bend
The Alderbrook Resort in Union sits on the Great Bend where the canal turns sharply south, with rooms facing the Olympic Mountains across the water. A full-service spa, restaurant, and boat dock make it both a destination and a base for exploring the southern canal. It is the flagship lodging property on the water.
“At Taylor Shellfish near Quilcene you can buy oysters shucked on the spot and eat them at a picnic table with a view of the water. That is about as direct a relationship with food as Washington offers.”
Explore Washington State
Where to Stay
Alderbrook Resort & Spa
A historic resort in Union welcoming guests since 1913, set on the Great Bend with lodge rooms, waterfront cottages, a full spa, a restaurant sourcing local shellfish, and a marina with boat moorage. The flagship place to stay on Hood Canal.
Visit websiteRobin Hood Village Resort
A storied cabin village on the canal just outside Union, blending rustic character with comfortable touches. The cabins sit steps from the water, and the grounds double as a venue for summer music festivals.
Glen Ayr Canal Resort
A wooded waterfront resort about three minutes from downtown Hoodsport with canal view rooms, kitchen suites, RV spaces, and a small marina. A practical base for shellfish harvesting and exploring the Staircase area of Olympic National Park.
Mike's Beach Resort
A relaxed beachfront resort near Lilliwaup with cabins, RV and tent sites, and direct access to a private stretch of Hood Canal shoreline. Popular with divers, paddlers, and families wanting an unhurried stay on the water.
Hood Canal State Park Camping
Three state parks offer waterfront camping along the canal: Twanoh on the Great Bend, Potlatch near Hoodsport, and Dosewallips at the river estuary. Sites book early for summer weekends through the Washington State Parks reservation system.
Reserve a siteFind a Cabin Near Hood Canal
Find a Cabin on Hood Canal
Food & Drink
Hood Canal shellfish is the food story. Taylor Shellfish Farms near Quilcene sells direct from the source with waterfront tables for eating on the spot. The Hoodsport Winery makes estate wines from Island Belle grapes and operates a tasting room with views toward the canal. The Timber House Restaurant near Lilliwaup has served as a local anchor for years. For provisions, Hoodsport has a small market and fuel stop.
Festivals & Events
June
Fjordin Crossin
A quirky Hoodsport tradition where a barrel of aquavit floats across Hood Canal to mark the start of summer, paired with Scandinavian food, music, and waterfront festivities over a weekend in June.
July
Allyn Days Salmon Bake and Geoduck Festival
A summer waterfront festival in nearby Allyn featuring a traditional salmon bake, oyster shucking, a geoduck theme, live music, vendors, and family activities at Allyn Waterfront Park in mid July.
July
Peace Love & Union Saltwater Songwriters Festival
A multi day songwriters festival at Robin Hood Village Resort just outside Union, with daytime and late night performances, dining, and canal recreation across four days in late July.
August
Hoodstock Music and Arts Festival
A two day floating music and arts festival in Union with a dual stage setup on land at Robin Hood Village and on the water, where the audience watches by kayak, paddleboard, or boat, plus food trucks and artisan vendors.
October
OysterFest
Mason County's signature seafood festival in nearby Shelton each October, home to the West Coast oyster shucking championships, with shellfish, regional food, microbrews, wine, and live music over a full weekend.
Day Trips
Olympia is about 45 miles south and reachable in under an hour from Hoodsport. Port Townsend is 60 miles north via the Hood Canal Bridge and Highway 101. Shelton, the Mason County seat, is 15 miles east with a historic downtown on Simpson Avenue. Bremerton is about an hour north via the bridge for the Naval Museum and Puget Sound ferry access to Seattle.
Planning Your Visit
Summer (June through September) brings the warmest water and best conditions for swimming, kayaking, and shellfish harvesting. The spotted shrimp season typically runs April through May and draws recreational harvesters from around the state. Dungeness crab season varies by location and year. Fall is underrated: crowds thin, the Olympics catch early snow, and the light on the water is exceptional. The Hood Canal Bridge occasionally closes during high winds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hood Canal?
Hood Canal is a 65 mile saltwater fjord on the western edge of Puget Sound, separating the Kitsap Peninsula from the Olympic Peninsula. Despite the name it is a natural glacially carved inlet of the sea, not a constructed canal, bending south at the Great Bend near Hoodsport.
Why is it called a canal if it is natural?
Early mapmakers labeled it a canal, but Hood Canal is a true fjord carved by glaciers. It connects to Puget Sound at its northern end and narrows to a dead end at the Skokomish River delta, with the Olympic Mountains rising along its western shore.
How do you get to Hood Canal from Seattle?
From Seattle, drive north on Highway 3 to the Hood Canal Bridge on State Route 104, cross to the Olympic Peninsula, and follow Highway 101 south along the western shore. The drive to Hoodsport takes about 90 minutes. From Olympia, head north on Highway 101 directly up the canal.
What is Hood Canal known for?
Hood Canal is famous for shellfish. Its waters produce oysters, geoduck, Dungeness crab, and prized spotted shrimp, sold at farms and roadside stands along Highway 101. The canal is also known for calm kayaking, waterfront state parks, and views of the Olympic Mountains.
Can you harvest oysters and clams on Hood Canal?
Yes. Recreational shellfish harvesting is popular at public beaches along the canal, but you need a Washington shellfish license and must check current beach status and health closures with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife before you go, since seasons and safety closures change through the year.
When is the best time to visit Hood Canal?
Summer from June through September brings the warmest water for swimming, kayaking, and harvesting shellfish. Spotted shrimp season usually runs in spring and draws harvesters from around the state. Fall is quieter, with thinning crowds, early snow on the Olympics, and exceptional light on the water.
Where should you stay on Hood Canal?
Alderbrook Resort and Spa in Union is the flagship waterfront resort, with cottages, a spa, and a restaurant. Robin Hood Village, Glen Ayr Canal Resort, and Mike’s Beach Resort offer cabins and canal view rooms, and Twanoh, Potlatch, and Dosewallips state parks provide waterfront camping.