Last updated: November 19, 2022
Place
Matia Island Marine State Park
Quick Facts
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
4 listed
Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch, Dock/Pier, Primitive Campsites, Trailhead
Matia Island is one of the gems of the Washington State Marine Park System due to its giant, near rainforest vibrant old-growth cedars, abundant wildlife, and excellent coastline. Like all Marine State Park, acres can only be accessed via boat or kayak. Due to its wild status (most of Matia Island is designated as wilderness), many areas of the island are off-limits to humans and no dogs are allowed on Matia Island.
Matia Island has been a Coast Salish homeland since time immemorial. Its first Western settler was a mystically-minded Civil War veteran, Elvin Smith, who moved to Matia in 1892 and lived alone here as a homesteader dubbed, "The Hermit of Matia Island." Elvin's religious mysticism gained a national following and he solicited and received numerous cash gifts from visitors who sought the power of his prayers and sometimes they traveled all the way to his refuge for personal spiritual guidance. Elvin regularly rowed to Orcas Island to collect the money sent him by his admirers and purchase supplies; his Orcas friends convinced him to have a friend move in with him so that he wouldn't be injured as he aged, but unfortunately their boat capsized and both were lost on a trip from Orcas Island to Matia in 1922. A year later a fox farm was built on Matia Island but it was not successful and Matia became federal government property.
In 1959, the federal government leased the island to the State of Washington and Matia Island became a State Park. Matia Island has six campsites, a picnic area, and a composting toilet for visitors. A 1.2 mile trail system takes visitors into the wilderness areas of the island. Fires are not allowed on the island due to its sensitive ecology. A dock and two buoys are available for maritime visitors to tie up on their visit to Matia Island. The island has no trash service or drinking water so bring lots of liquid and pack out what you pack in when you come to Matia Island.
Matia Island has been a Coast Salish homeland since time immemorial. Its first Western settler was a mystically-minded Civil War veteran, Elvin Smith, who moved to Matia in 1892 and lived alone here as a homesteader dubbed, "The Hermit of Matia Island." Elvin's religious mysticism gained a national following and he solicited and received numerous cash gifts from visitors who sought the power of his prayers and sometimes they traveled all the way to his refuge for personal spiritual guidance. Elvin regularly rowed to Orcas Island to collect the money sent him by his admirers and purchase supplies; his Orcas friends convinced him to have a friend move in with him so that he wouldn't be injured as he aged, but unfortunately their boat capsized and both were lost on a trip from Orcas Island to Matia in 1922. A year later a fox farm was built on Matia Island but it was not successful and Matia became federal government property.
In 1959, the federal government leased the island to the State of Washington and Matia Island became a State Park. Matia Island has six campsites, a picnic area, and a composting toilet for visitors. A 1.2 mile trail system takes visitors into the wilderness areas of the island. Fires are not allowed on the island due to its sensitive ecology. A dock and two buoys are available for maritime visitors to tie up on their visit to Matia Island. The island has no trash service or drinking water so bring lots of liquid and pack out what you pack in when you come to Matia Island.