| Kopachuck State Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Kopachuck State Park Location in the state of Washington Show map of Washington (state) Kopachuck State Park Kopachuck State Park (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Location | Pierce County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 47°18′29″N122°40′49″W / 47.308067°N 122.680372°W /47.308067; -122.680372[1] |
| Area | 109 acres (44 ha) |
| Elevation | 52 ft (16 m) |
| Established | 1955[2]) |
| Administered by | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |
| Visitors | 34,979 (in 2024)[3] |
| Website | Official website |
Kopachuck State Park is a publicly owned recreation area situated on Henderson Bay inPuget Sound, about 6 miles (9.7 km) west of the city ofGig Harbor, Washington. Thestate park's 109 acres (44 ha) encompass over a mile of saltwater shoreline. The park provides sweeping views of sunsets, theOlympic Mountains and Puget Sound.[1]Cutts Island, known locally as "Deadman's Island," which lies about a half-mile from the park shore, is reachable by boat.[4] Both Kopachuck and Cutts Island are administered by theWashington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
The park bears a name whose origin derives from thelanguage of the Chinook Tribe, a band of Pacific Coastal Indians. Kopachuck is a blend of two words: "kopa" meaning "at" and "chuck" meaning "water." ThePuyallup andNisqually Indian Tribes used the area around the park for seasonal fishing and clam gatherings.[1]
Kopachuck was tagged for closure in 2009 by Washington GovernorChris Gregoire as part of budget cutbacks in the wake of hard economic times, prompting neighbors to rally to save the park.[5]
In 2011, it was found that many of the park'sDouglas firs were diseased withlaminated tree rot, one of the deadliest diseases a fir tree can contract.[6] The campground was closed by park rangers soon after; the closure became permanent in 2014.[7] In September 2011, many of the diseased trees were cut down due to increasingly urgent safety issues. In response, local artists created "Intertwined — Requiem for the Trees," which the artists said was to record the trees before their death. The piece was displayed in the Gig Harbor History Museum for a short time that fall.[8]
Recreational activities include swimming andkayaking. The normally steep rocky beach becomes a level sandbar at low tide and is a popular place for kids to play in the sand. The park offers kitchen shelters, 16 sheltered and 76 unsheltered picnic tables, and two miles of hiking trails. The campground has been permanently closed.[1]
