Potlatch State Park

With 5,700 feet of shorline, there's no better spot to stage an exploration of the Annas Bay in Hood Canal than Potlatch State Park. Formerly a resort complete with cabins and a hotel, this 57-acre park is known for its campground. The day use area is just as popular, however, and it is located west of Highway 101. It's a fantastic resource for boating, windsurfing, and shellfish harvesting. Scuba diving is also popular here because of the easy access and quick descents.

The campground and day use area is equipped with restrooms and a shower, and a modest picnic shelter with picnic tables and grills is perfect for small groups. The broad grassy area can accommodate plenty of picnics and games, and kids can play for hours on the long beach. While there is no boat ramp here, there are five mooring buoys just off shore: two are along the northern stretch of coast, and the rest are tucked in more toward Annas Bay. The walk from the parking lot is short enough to make launching kayks or stand-up paddleboards an option if they can be carried. Both the campground and the day use area are open year round.