Blake Island Marine State Park: A Puget Sound Escape

Blake Island Marine State Park, a jewel in the Puget Sound, presents a unique blend of natural splendor and historical significance [6, 13]. This 475-acre island, accessible only by boat, provides a tranquil escape from the bustling city life [6, 13, 18]. With five miles of saltwater beach shoreline, the park boasts magnificent views of the Olympic Mountains and the Seattle skyline [12, 13]. For centuries, the island served as an ancestral camping ground for the Suquamish Tribe, and legend has it that Chief Seattle, the namesake of the Emerald City, was born here [3, 13, 16, 24]. Known as 'Smuggler's Island' in the mid-19th century, it was logged for its timber and later used as a refuge for bootleggers during the Prohibition era [6, 7, 16, 24]. William Pitt Trimble, a Seattle millionaire, purchased the island and renamed it Trimble Island, building a grand estate [3, 6, 7, 12, 16]. Today, Blake Island Marine State Park invites visitors to explore its diverse offerings [7, 18]. Hike the miles of trails that wind through the island's second-growth forest, the result of extensive logging in the 19th century [6, 7]. Discover the remnants of the Trimble estate, a testament to the island's colorful past [3, 6, 7, 12, 16]. While Tillicum Village, a long-standing tourist attraction showcasing Northwest Coast Indian arts, culture, and food, is currently closed, the island continues to offer a rich experience [3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 13]. Explore the island's beaches, go scuba diving, or simply relax and enjoy the breathtaking sunsets over the Olympic Mountains [10, 18]. Camping is available year-round, with both standard and primitive sites, as well as a group camp [9, 18].