Twanoh State Park is located 8 miles west of Belfair on the south side of lower Hood Canal, on State Highway 106, Mason County.

Acreage

182.02 acres with 3,167 feet of saltwater shoreline.

Acquired

Twanoh State Park was acquired in 11 parcels, between 1922 and 1977, for a total cost of $72,075.

Historical Background

Twanoh State Park derives its name from the Twana Indian Tribes better known as the Skokomish. These tribes were comprised of several bands whose habitat included the entire Hood Canal region. The Quilcene, Dosewallips and Clifton bands made up the rest of the groups within the Twana Tribe. It is thought that Indians from the surrounding area moved into the Hood Canal basin in search of game and finding how abundant the wildlife was, they stayed. Because of this wealth of wildlife, they were among the few hunting and gathering societies in the world which produced wealth beyond their needs. The basis for their economy was fishing, with the main fish being the salmon.

The present park was logged around the 1890s. Evidence of this early logging still remains as springboard notches are still visibly carved into old cedar stumps. After the Navy Yard Highway was completed, the area became a private resort, then a state park.

Facilities

Boat dock, 7 mooring buoys, boat pumpout facility, 2 boat launch ramps, 580 feet of swimming beach, "kiddies" wading pool, 2 bathhouses, day use area with 111 picnic sites, 5 day-use kitchens, 1 concession building, parking for 525 cars, 4 comfort stations, camp area with 9 trailer sites, 38 tent sites, and group camp with 15 walk-in sites.

Of Special Interest

The park buildings were constructed by the CCCs in the early 1930s and are still preserved in their natural beauty.

Activities

Picnicking, swimming, hiking, oyster harvesting, boating, water skiing, fishing, camping, and smelting.