Twanoh State Park

Twanoh State Park: Hood Canal’s Historic Family Swimming and Shellfish Destination

Twanoh State Park showcases Depression-era park architecture alongside Hood Canal’s warmest saltwater swimming in Union, creating Washington’s premier family-friendly marine camping destination. This 188-acre historic park combines Civilian Conservation Corps craftsmanship with abundant shellfish harvesting opportunities, making it one of the state’s most beloved and enduring recreational retreats since opening in 1923.

Twanoh State Park Fast Facts

Park Overview

Twanoh State Park holds the distinction as one of Washington’s oldest state parks, officially dedicated on June 9, 1923, making it the first state park purchased rather than donated. Built in the classic Civilian Conservation Corps style during the Great Depression, the park features remarkably preserved 1930s architecture that earned it National Register of Historic Places status in 2014. The park’s name derives from the Native American Twana tribes, also known as the Skokomish, who originally inhabited this Hood Canal shoreline.

The park’s 3,167 feet of saltwater frontage provides some of the warmest swimming waters in the Puget Sound region, while its 2.5 miles of inland hiking trails wind through towering old-growth forests along babbling Twanoh Creek. Historic springboard notches visible in trees throughout the woodland areas serve as reminders of the 1890s logging era that preceded the park’s establishment.

Activities & Recreation

Facilities & Amenities

Twanoh State Park offers comprehensive facilities anchored by historic Civilian Conservation Corps structures from the 1930s. The centerpiece is a large reservable kitchen shelter accommodating up to 150 people, available Monday through Thursday from May 15 to September 15, with year-round availability the rest of the week. A second kitchen shelter accommodates up to 40 people on a first-come, first-served basis. Three smaller covered kitchens provide water and electricity for day use visitors.

Additional amenities include 125 uncovered picnic tables, barbecue grills, fire circles, volleyball area, tennis court, playground, and horseshoe pits. The park features two restrooms with hot showers in the campground and three restrooms in the day-use area. A two-lane boat launch, boat dock, seven mooring buoys, and marine pumpout station support boating activities. The historic concession building now houses The Posh Pescatarian restaurant, serving freshly prepared dishes with beer and wine from 11 AM to 7:30 PM daily.

Camping & Accommodations

The main campground offers 25 standard campsites and 22 full-hookup sites accommodating RVs up to 35 feet long. Campsites are reservable between May 15 and September 15, available first-come, first-served the remainder of the year with limited winter water supply. As part of the Cascadia Marine Trail system, one waterfront primitive campsite serves visitors arriving by kayak or other non-motorized watercraft on a first-come, first-served basis.

Packaged firewood is available for purchase from the campground host, as gathering firewood on park property is prohibited. The campground operates year-round with two restroom facilities and shower access nearby.

Planning Your Visit

A Discover Pass is required for day visits to Twanoh State Park, with annual passes available for $45 and daily passes for $10. For watercraft launching, visitors need either a Natural Investment Permit or combination of a Discover Pass and daily launch permit, available for $7 at the park. The launch docks are removed during winter months for seasonal maintenance.

Shellfish harvesting requires a recreational fishing license from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Clam and mussel seasons typically open August 1-31, while oyster harvesting remains open year-round. Oysters must be shucked on the beach with shells left at the same approximate tide height where collected. The best oyster harvesting occurs at the west end near the boat ramp, while clams are found in a narrow band below the oyster beds from the boat ramp to the eastern park boundary.

What to Bring & Know

• Recreational fishing license required for shellfish harvesting, available through WDFW
• Swimwear for Hood Canal’s notably warm saltwater swimming conditions
• Hiking footwear for 2.5 miles of forested creek-side trails with gentle elevation changes
• Tennis racquets and balls for the on-site court, horseshoes for recreational games
• Advance reservations recommended for campsites during May 15 – September 15 peak season

Final Word

Twanoh State Park continues its century-long legacy as Hood Canal’s premier family destination, where Depression-era architecture meets modern recreational amenities in one of Washington’s most historically significant and naturally beautiful settings.