Dosewallips State Park

Dosewallips State Park is a public recreation area located where the Dosewallips River empties into Hood Canal in Jefferson County, Washington. The state park's 1,064 acres (431 ha) include both freshwater and saltwater shorelines. The park offers opportunities for picnicking, camping, hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, scuba diving, and shellfish harvesting.[2]

Dosewallips State Park
Salt marsh shoreline
Map showing the location of Dosewallips State Park
Map showing the location of Dosewallips State Park
Location in the state of Washington
Map showing the location of Dosewallips State Park
Map showing the location of Dosewallips State Park
Dosewallips State Park (the United States)
LocationJefferson, Washington, United States
Coordinates47°41′19″N 122°54′25″W / 47.68861°N 122.90694°W / 47.68861; -122.90694[1]
Area1,064 acres (4.31 km2)
Elevation121 ft (37 m)[1]
Established1954
OperatorWashington State Parks and Recreation Commission
WebsiteDosewallips State Park

History

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The park was acquired in four separate purchases between 1954 and 1972. The park's flats were the site of several old homesteads in an area known as Dose Meadows. The railroad beds found in the park's far southeast side are leftover from the days when timber was hauled by rail from the mountains to be deposited in the water and floated off to ships and mills.[3]

Nature

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Four species of wild salmon and steelhead use the Dosewallips River for spawning, and the park provides wintering grounds for a herd of elk.[3] The beach is described as "excellent" for the presence of Manila littleneck clams, native littleneck clams, and oysters. Butter clams, cockles, horse clams and geoducks can also be found.[4]

360° panoramic view of a picnic area in Dosewallips State Park, along Hood Canal, Brinnon, Washington, April 2014.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Dosewallips State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ "Dosewallips State Park". Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Dosewallips State Park Area Management Plan". Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. June 2006. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  4. ^ "Dosewallips State Park". Recreational Shellfishing: Public Clam and Oyster Beaches. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
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