Eagle Island State Park (Washington)
Encyclopedia
Eagle Island State Park in Pierce County, Washington
is one of the Washington State Parks
. It is a 10 acres (4 ha) marine park on Eagle Island in Balch Passage between McNeil
and Anderson Islands in South Puget Sound
. Available activities include beachcombing
, birdwatching
, and wildlife viewing. The park is administered as a satellite park of Jarrell Cove State Park
.
This minuscule island was named not for the bird but for Harry Eagle, one of the party members of the Wilkes Expedition
of 1841. History does not tell whether Harry was as small in stature as his namesake island. Inland, the island has a primitive trail through thick brush and madronal short spurs lead to the beach. Be wary of poison oak. The narrow beach is mostly gravel, with the exception of a point of sand on the south end of the island near Anderson Island—a nice spot for sunbathing or clamming.
Summer brings highs in the 70s to Eagle Island State Park; during summer nights temperatures are in the 50s. Daytime highs during the wintertime are in the 40s, and after the sun is down during the wintertime temperatures at Eagle Island State Park plunge into the 30s.
Pierce County, Washington
right|thumb|[[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] - Seat of Pierce CountyPierce County is the second most populous county in the U.S. state of Washington. Formed out of Thurston County on December 22, 1852, by the legislature of Oregon Territory...
is one of the Washington State Parks
Washington State Park System
The Washington State Park System is a set of state parks owned by the state government of Washington, USA. They are managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. As of 2011, the parks are primarily funded through the state's general fund, augmented by usage fees...
. It is a 10 acres (4 ha) marine park on Eagle Island in Balch Passage between McNeil
McNeil Island
McNeil Island is an island in western Puget Sound, located just west of Steilacoom, Washington, with a land area of 17.177 km² . It lies just north of Anderson Island. Fox Island is to the north, across Carr Inlet. To the west McNeil Island is separated from Key Peninsula by Pitt Passage. The...
and Anderson Islands in South Puget Sound
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
. Available activities include beachcombing
Beachcombing
Beachcombing and beachcomber are words with multiple, but related, meanings that have evolved over time.A beachcomber is someone who "combs" the beach, and the intertidal zone in general, looking for things of value, interest or utility....
, birdwatching
Birdwatching
Birdwatching or birding is the observation of birds as a recreational activity. It can be done with the naked eye, through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes, or by listening for bird sounds. Birding often involves a significant auditory component, as many bird species are...
, and wildlife viewing. The park is administered as a satellite park of Jarrell Cove State Park
Jarrell Cove State Park
Jarrell Cove State Park in Mason County, Washington is a marine camping park in the Washington State Parks. It consists of of forest with of saltwater shoreline on Harstine Island in south Puget Sound...
.
This minuscule island was named not for the bird but for Harry Eagle, one of the party members of the Wilkes Expedition
United States Exploring Expedition
The United States Exploring Expedition was an exploring and surveying expedition of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding lands conducted by the United States from 1838 to 1842. The original appointed commanding officer was Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones. The voyage was authorized by Congress in...
of 1841. History does not tell whether Harry was as small in stature as his namesake island. Inland, the island has a primitive trail through thick brush and madronal short spurs lead to the beach. Be wary of poison oak. The narrow beach is mostly gravel, with the exception of a point of sand on the south end of the island near Anderson Island—a nice spot for sunbathing or clamming.
Summer brings highs in the 70s to Eagle Island State Park; during summer nights temperatures are in the 50s. Daytime highs during the wintertime are in the 40s, and after the sun is down during the wintertime temperatures at Eagle Island State Park plunge into the 30s.