Harstine Island State Park
Harstine Island State Park
4.5
About
Nature hikes and trails in forest and to the ocean. Shell fish collecting. No pets permitted. Picnic tables. Outdoor bathroom facilities. A Washington State "Discovery Pass" is required or pay 10 dollars per visit.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles10 reviews
Excellent
5
Very good
3
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
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maria k
Buckley, WA236 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
This whole island is a great experience. There are beautiful beaches, there is a nice little farmers market where you can buy fresh bread and many other items. Overall a really nice visit when you just want to get away for a day.
Written October 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gypsy
2 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
The walk down to the water was nice. The beach itself was average. For those who are interested in oyster gathering, we didn't see any in site (even at -2 feet lowtide).
Written July 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

robinfrazier
Olympia, WA12 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020
Fantastic park great views and well kept. Bring your Discovery pass. We had a picnic and relaxed everyone was respecting the mask rules. Trails are well kept and you can do easy or moderate.
Written September 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BuRickJr44
Fortville, IN242 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2018 • Family
We spent New Years day walking along the shoreline.The area was clean with very nice restrooms and picnic area.We also had a fire out by the water using one of the many fire rings that were available.
Written January 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Erika M
Las Cruces, NM332 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2016
We really enjoyed our hike at Harstine Island State Park. We took the trail that leads through the old forest, down to the beach, and back up through the forest. The forest is beautiful and the beach is secluded. The beach would be a great spot to picnic and we probably spent over an hour wandering the shoreline looking for washed up sand dollars (there were hundreds) and other beach life. We would have enjoyed looking for clams, but we had not brought the proper equipment. Highly recommend stopping here if you are near the area.
Written September 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PelicanLover0227
Pensacola, FL13 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2016 • Solo
I had to pay $10 for a day pass just to take my dogs for a sniff walk for an hour. That's a little steep.
Written September 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SusanOly12
Olympia, WA88 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2016 • Couples
We drove out to Harstine Island State Park and found a great little park - there are trails to walk on and picnic areas and camping available - a peaceful place. It would be great to take a picnic there either by car or by boat. There is a great dock that you can tie up to and explore the park. It is also dog friendly - our dog loved it. Get out and see the parks of Washington state - they wonderful. Dont forget to buy your Discover pass before you go and stop at the Olympic Bakery on your way.
Written March 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jim D
Port Orchard, WA164 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2016 • Couples
This is one of my favorite state parks. It is small and tree filled, quiet, with a nice waterfront. There is a pier and boat dock, providing great views of starfish all around.
Written February 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David D
Shelton, WA7 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2015
This park is not very developed, but it has a nice trail down to the beach. If you're wanting a wilderness walk with a remote beach at the end of your ~1/2 mile walk, this is a great choice
Written August 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KimB007
Seattle, WA320 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2015 • Friends
Last week a friend of mine told me about a State Park on Harstine Island. So I decided to go find this "magical" and enchanting forest on this 11 mile long island in the Puget Sound about 16 miles outside of Shelton, WA and about 25 miles outside of Belfair, WA.

I'm glad I went! The feel on this island is very different. It feels alive, like the woods are watching you. Maybe they are as I've heard that Bigfoot has been sighted here over the years.

Once I crossed the Harstine Island bridge, I turned left and followed along until I came to the Community Center on the right. Turn right at the Community Center and follow along about 1.5-2 miles. You will eventually come to Yates Road. The "Harstine Island State Park" sign is on the left. It is unusually small for a State park sign. It's there but if you blink it you may miss it.

Once you come to Yates Road turn left. A truck would be best for driving to this location as the road is dirt with some large loose rocks. Not exactly a road for a sports car.

The road follows along for quite a distance. You will pass several marked locations for hiking and horse back.

Finally, you will arrive at a "Y" in the road. Turn right. If my memory serves me correct, there are signs that read, Harstine Island State Park. Just follow along to the parking area. There is a bathroom facility to your right. Park your vehicle...and don't forget to hang your Discover Pass or pay the $10/day fee if you don't have a Discover Pass.

There are several different hiking path choices. I took the path by the pay box where the Shell Fish display is. You can actually gather different kinds of shell fish here! Including the coveted GeoDuck. I was surprised to see a sign that read Season Open.

As you walk along the path you pass by several picnic tables and resting benches in the woods. The quiet of the forest is deep and peaceful. I've been in many forests over the years and this one has a very different feel to it. The trees in these woods are like nothing you've seen before! Moss, ferns, old growth trees, you really do expect to see Faeries, and Gnomes pop up and start running along side of you. Very magical and enchanting forest!

Oh and please remember...If You Pack It In, YOU Pack It Out. That's what one of the signs read at the parking lot. There are NO garbage receptacles anywhere. So please, don't throw your garbage in these woods or beaches. Bring your own garbage bag and CARRY your garbage OUT. This forest needs to be kept in its pristine condition.

My guess is that the hike down to the water is about 1/2 a mile through the woods, down stairs and over a bridge. There are a couple of benches to sit on along the way, so don't worry. If you need to catch your breath you can sit on a bench to do so.

As you follow the path down you will come to a brown colored sign with an umbrella and water waves and an arrow pointing to continue to the left. There is a "Y" in the path at this point and I do not know where the path leads if you follow to the right. Be sure to go to the left of this sign and follow down. Be ready to have your breath taken! It's absolutely spell binding!

One more thing, chances are you will most likely continue to receive a signal for your cell phone. That was one thing that surprised me. I still got a signal on my cell.

Be sure to take your camera too. If you are a photography buff, you will not want to miss the photo ops here in this park.

Finally, at some point you will make your way to the bottom. You will know you're getting close to the ocean as you will hear the waves rolling on to the shore.

Once at the bridge to cross over from land to shore your nostrils will be filled with the smell of fresh salty sea water. Just walk over the short bridge and you're on the beach.

Enjoy your enchanted visit to the magic of Harstine Island State Park!

Remember, it's all up hill on the way back to the parking lot so take your time.

Until next time...
Written July 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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HARSTINE ISLAND STATE PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Harstine Island State Park