Seabeck, WA Road Trips

The name Seabeck comes from the Twana /ɬqábaqʷ/, from /ɬ-/, "far", /qab/, "smooth, calm", and /-aqʷ/, "water". Seabeck was founded in 1856 by Marshall Blinn and William Adams, doing business as The Washington Mill Company. Their lumber was in such demand they built a second mill, then a shipyard to build boats to haul the lumber to California, which had high demand due to the California Gold Rush. Eventually, along with four saloons, the town had two general stores and two hotels. In 1876, there were over 400 people living in Seabeck. After decades of success, in the 1880s, the demand had eased, and most of the easily accessible trees had been harvested. In 1886 a spark from the ship Retriever started a fire that consumed both mills, along with other buildings. Rumors flew that the mills would not be re-built, so most residents moved to other towns with mills, notably Port Hadlock, turning Seabeck into a virtual ghost town. Today Seabeck has found its footing as a tourist destination and quiet community with basic services.

The Hood Canal, despite its name, is not a canal but is actually an inland fjord that stretches for over 70 miles inland separating the Kitsap Peninsula from the Olympic Peninsula. It is a prime destination in the area for outdoor recreation and nature viewing with sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains and lush forests. Near the southern end of the Kitsap Peninsula it hooks inward at an area known as the Great Bend. 1 Guillemot Cove Nature Reserve, 19235 Stavis Bay Road NW (from Seabeck Holly Rd, turn right on Miami Beach Rd; turn right - drive to Y in the road; veer left onto Stavis Bay Rd. Drive 4.5 miles to the entrance and parking lot). 9AM til dusk. 184 acres saltwater beach access, walking trails. No restroom facilities available at this site, please plan accordingly. 2 Scenic Beach State Park, 9565 Scenic Beach Rd NW, ☏ +1 360-830-5079. 8AM-dusk. An 88-acre camping park with 1,500 feet of saltwater beachfront on Hood Canal. Terrific picnic areas and campsites as well as Emel House, which can be rented for meetings, family gatherings or weddings. The park is known for its wild, native rhododendrons and stunning views of Hood Canal and the Olympic Mountains. (updated Mar 2022)

1 Seabeck Conference Center, 15395 Seabeck Hwy NW, ☏ +1 360 830-5010. 8AM-5PM daily. Established in 1915 by the Seattle YMCA, the Seabeck Conference Center became an independent non-profit corporation in 1936. The facilities are located on 90 beautiful acres with sweeping views of Hood Canal and the Olympic Mountains. The grounds are reminiscent of small village, complete with walkways that meander past manicured lawns, fruit orchards, and wooded trails. The mission of the center is dedicated to the moral, social, and spiritual well-being of its guests and staff by providing a non-profit, non-sectarian setting conducive to education, renewal, and character development. What Hood Canal beaches lack in white sand and warm water is more than made up for in the amazing scenery as the clear waters play against wild coastlines and snow peaked mountains Olympic Mountains scatter on the horizons. Nearby Scenic Beach State Park is excellent place to start a beach combing adventure offering accessible beaches from the rugged to the sandy smooth. Small crabs, moon snails, sea stars and sand dollars are common sites and tide pools can offer hours of exploration. Hood Canal is considered the warmest water in Puget Sound but it's still pretty cold. Be warned that sea shells and driftwood are considered part of the natural environment and should not be removed, however the often rocky and wild shores are havens for creating and revealing beach glass and anything artificial found is fair game for removal. Be respectful of private property and gentle with sea creatures.

Seabeck Pizza, 15376 Seabeck Highway NW (at the marina), ☏ +1 360 830-4839. Offers pizza by the slice or whole, salads, and sandwiches. Dine in, take out, or delivery including boat delivery.

The community is on the Seabeck Highway NW, about a 16-minute drive west of Silverdale. 1 Olympic View Marina (Seabeck Marina), 15376 Seabeck Hwy NW, ☏ +1 206 450-9261. Open, but no transient moorage is available. 2 Misery Point Water Access, 15376 Seabeck Hwy NW (Southwest from Seabeck .6 mi on Seabeck Holly Rd, right .6 mi n Miami Beach Rd, left 1.4 mi on Miami Beach Lp Rd to public fishing sign, access on right.), ☏ +1 360 830-4839. Concrete boat launch near Seabeck is open year round and has overflow parking.

Seabeck is a small town and everything is easily accessible by foot. Kitsap Transit, ☏ +1 360 479-6962, toll-free: +1-800-501-7433, [email protected]. Kitsap Transit offers transit services throughout the area including pickup from all ferry terminals and connects with Mason Transit (Mason County), Pierce Transit (Pierce County), and Jefferson Transit (Jefferson County) offering connections outside of the area. full fare $2 and is part of the regional ORCA network system.