Illahee State Park, Washington

Quick cultural lesson for you: In the Indian tradition, Illahee means earth or country. Take a visit to Illahee State Park and you’ll immediately appreciate what the word meant to the native tribes. Located on the saltwater frontage of Port Orchard Bay, the views of Puget Sound here are among the very best. Walking around the park, it can almost feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. To see what we’re talking about, take a walk through the forest, which is the last stand of old-growth timber in the whole of Kitsap County. Keep an eye out for one of the largest Yew trees in the nation! People come here to boat, camp, and dig for shellfish, but you don’t really need a reason to visit other than experiencing this beautiful place in person. The “Illahee” here is reason enough.