Kitsap Memorial State Park

Introduction of Kitsap Memorial State Park

Kitsap Memorial State Park features the beauty of the Olympic Mountains, a long, saltwater shoreline of the Hood Canal, and a large, RV-friendly campground. The 63-acre Kitsap Memorial State Park, located seven miles north of Poulsbo, Washington, is located on the Kitsap Peninsula along the Hood Canal and has over 1,700 feet of shoreline. The park was established by the Vinland Community Club in 1935 after the club began purchasing land and making improvements in 1936. The park’s area was given to Kitsap County in 1937, and the park was established in 1949 after the land was deeded to the state of Washington.

The Suquamish and Port Gamble S’Klallam Indian Tribes had ancestral lands in the area surrounding Kitsap Memorial State Park. The area is culturally rich and hosts numerous celebrations throughout the year, including Chief Seattle Days in August. This celebration combines tribal traditions to commemorate Chief Seattle, the Suquamish’s ancestral leader. The annual celebration includes canoe races, totem pole carvings, and plenty of tribal cuisines.

Today, Kitsap Memorial State Park is an ideal location for a variety of activities during your RV camping trip. With so much shoreline to enjoy, you can engage in activities such as scuba diving, canoeing, and fishing. Along the Hood Canal, there are also numerous opportunities for clamming and crabbing. Photographers will be mesmerized by the silhouettes of the Olympic Mountains to the west at sunrise and sunset. Onshore activities include a large open field ideal for frisbee, volleyball, and kite flying.

Kitsap Memorial State Park’s weather in the summer ranges from the high 60s to the 70s, with less than an inch of rain. Winter brings temperatures in the mid-40s, as well as up to four inches of rain.

You’ll be able to park your RV rental no matter what time of year you visit. The campground is open all year and even has four cabins if you want to get out of the campervan for a night or two.

Kitsap Memorial State Park Camping

There are 20 standard campsites, three partial-hookup sites, eight full-hookup sites, three hiker/biker sites, four cabins, one restroom with showers, and one ADA-accessible restroom at the park. Water and electricity are available at sites 1 through 18. Reservations are accepted all year.

The park’s group campsite is available for reservation from 1 April to 15 September. Group campers must bring a confirmation letter with them and check in at the Ranger station.

Kitsap Memorial State Park Activities

Hiking

Lace up your hiking boots and return the Airstream to camp. Kitsap Memorial State Park has a mile and a half of hiking trails to explore, and whether you’re out for a morning stroll or looking for a spot to watch the park’s famous sunsets, the trails are sure to please. One trail begins at the main campground and winds its way along the beach, while the other winds through the woods. Both trails are relatively easy to hike, with few inclines.

Fishing

When visiting Kitsap Memorial, keep your rod and reel in your motorhome at all times because the Hood Canal provides excellent fishing opportunities. Watercraft can moor at two buoys offshore, and many anglers use a kayak or canoe. The northern section of the beach is ideal for offshore fishing. When you cast your line, you can expect to catch anything from Coho salmon and sea-run cutthroat trout to steelhead and perch. Check state and park regulations for bag and size restrictions, as well as seasonal closures.

Picnicking

When the weather is nice, there’s no better way to spend time outside than at a picnic table with family and friends. Kitsap Memorial State Park has numerous tables scattered throughout the park, and you can rent one of the kitchen shelters if you’re hosting an event. One has electricity and one does not so make your reservation early if you want to secure a shelter. Those staying overnight can relax right outside the pop-up, as each campsite has its own table and fire ring.

Bird Watching

Year-round, bird watching is a popular activity for RV campers at Kitsap Memorial State Park. There will be more to see in the winter months when the park is less crowded. Take your binoculars from the teardrop for the best views along the shore and of the Hood Canal. Great blue herons, kingfish, flickers, goldfinch, goldeneye, surf scoter, numerous duck species, and seagulls are all common in the park. You may even see a majestic bald eagle on occasion.

Kitsap Memorial State Park Location

Kitsap Memorial State Park is accessible from Northeast Park Street at Washington State Route 3 on the Kitsap Peninsula. Route 3 is accessible from several points, including Kingston to the east and Port Gamble to the north via Route 104. The Kingston-Edmonds Ferry provides eastbound access to Route 104, but space may be limited to smaller RVs and trailers. The Hood Canal Bridge, which connects Port Gamble to the Olympic Peninsula, is a retractable floating bridge that can be difficult to maneuver with larger RVs and trailers. Expect to wait, whether you drive over the bridge or take the ferry. From Poulsbo, travel north to south on the peninsula. The road is narrow, but the drive is not difficult.

Parking

When you arrive at the park, there is only one two-way road that leads to the campground. During the peak season, expect traffic congestion within the park, particularly around the two-day-use parking lots. One lot is near the park’s entrance, and another is near the community hall, which hosts numerous weddings during the summer. Please obey all posted speed limits when traveling through the campground area. While driving, be aware of pedestrians, bicyclists, and children playing.

Public Transport

Public Transport is not available