Have a say in the future of Blake Island Marine State Park

(Recent view of Blake Island in the mist)

By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Looking across Puget Sound from west-facing West Seattle, Blake Island, once known as Smugglers Island, is an easily identifiable part of the view, tucked between Vashon and Bainbridge, It’s just 4 miles from Alki Point. Long a destination for motor boats, kayakers, and Argosy boat tours, its future is starting to come into focus for the state parks department, as it assembles a master plan for the island. Now it’s seeking input from the public and tribal governments about the four options they are considering.

(image today from Blake Island Marina camera)

Irregularly shaped and including 1,127 acres of forested land and adjacent waters, Blake Island features a marina, moorage buoys, campsites, trails and Tillicum Village, which was the destination for those Argosy excursions until 2021. Argosy closed their concession agreement then “due to challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic,” and the island has just been accessible by private boat or kayak since then.

The master planning project comes at a time when visits to the park are down after the concession closure — a little more than 31,000 day-use visits in 2025 compared to almost 80,000 in 2019, when Argosy was still in the picture. More facilities and better access will mean more visitors, but a different kind of experience for those who have taken the trip in recent years and are used to just 200 people on the island on a busy day in July. That is part of why parks is asking the public to weigh in. They are looking at big-picture questions, like whether Tillicum Village could/should be renovated or a full-service restaurant added, how to improve the deteriorating marina, or just remove it entirely, and whether the state should look at an expansion of available buildings, services and access. State planners have clustered these into four main alternatives in a slide deck shown during a community meeting last month in Port Orchard:

“Back to Nature” removes marina
• Intentional reduction of facilities
• Retreat approach to climate change
• Marina no longer invested in
• More natural experience
• Predict lower visitation

“Rustic Retreat” funds improvement of the marina, but no new concessions
• Natural state
• Contrast with urban surroundings
• Rustic experience
• Improved access

“Concession” identifies concession area and needed infrastructure
• Continuation of Tillicum Village scale concession
• Long-term lease
• Educational or entertainment programming
• High visitation

“Recreation” explores state parks facility expansion
• Expansion of recreational facilities
• Additional overnight accommodations
• Lodge building and cabins
• Opportunities for large groups and events

The Blake Island master planning alternatives survey is available online until April 30th along with a public comment form. Parks expects to identify a staff-recommended alternative by the spring, with additional planning and work on the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) checklist plus more opportunity for public input during that time frame. Lastly, the final Master Plan document is expected to go to the State Parks and Recreation Commission in the fall. Parks staff was not able to reply to questions about funding sources for the project options in time for this report.

ADDED TUESDAY: Washington State Parks Communications Manager Sarah Fronk got back to us today to say that there is not yet funding in place for any of the Master Plan options. She says, “The Master Plan will guide future decisions about development and investment at the park and projects that could be undertaken when funding and resources are available.” Public input on the staff-selected alternative will include a public meeting, which is not yet scheduled.

Lucy March 8, 2026 (5:44 pm)

I loved going to Tillicum Village for the potlatch with my boys when they were in grade school in the early 2000s. The dancers and stories and food and music were a rite of passage for any PNW kid. It is a shame the wealthy native tribes with their casino money don’t invest in this. It is educational and responsible and gains much more noteriety to their history than their hotels and casinos and whining adverts. The PNW Native peoples need to step up and own this.

Lauren March 8, 2026 (6:37 pm)

… ignoring some more problematic aspects of this comment. Am I reading this correctly (from the article) that Argosy was the one who ended the agreement? You can’t run a place like Tillicum Village if it’s only private access. “ Argosy closed their concession agreement then “due to challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic,” and the island has just been accessible by private boat or kayak since then.”
- Anne Higuera March 9, 2026 (11:42 am)
  
  @Lauren, both Argosy and state parks referred to this as an “opt-out” by Argosy from the concession.
EG March 8, 2026 (9:30 pm)

That’s disrespectful to talk about Tribal nations like that. It’s not their responsibility to entertain or even educate non-Natives about their culture. just let them be and respect their rights.
Flying Mole March 9, 2026 (11:17 am)

Agreed! My wife and I used to paddle from West Seattle or Southworth to the Cascade marine Trail campsite for our anniversary at the end of August and take in the show and salmon feast at Tillicum Village. I also took friends from out of town for the easy (and relatively sheltered) paddle from Southworth to Blake for a weekend of camping. I think that it would be great if the Suquamish Tribe, who were the original inhabitants of Blake Island, did take an active interest and set up something like the old Tillicum Village salmon bake.
Fizz March 9, 2026 (10:21 pm)

So I assume you just neglected to mention that you want to return the island to its original owners as part of the deal, right? Because stealing the land and then demanding the natives sing and dance for you too would be just beyond entitled.

MC March 8, 2026 (7:25 pm)

I so miss taking the morning work boat to Blake, enjoying the camaraderie of the folks heading out to prepare for the salmon bake and show. I never worked on the island, but they required campers to take the work boat. What a joy it was to camp on the beach at twilight, looking out over to the lights of West Seattle. Please restore access of this sort so those of us without a boat can enjoy this gem of an island.

Wallace Grommet March 8, 2026 (9:08 pm)

The insanely regressive tax structure of Washington State ignores liquidity in the form of salaries, and instead taxes everything else to plug the gap. Every boater pays for annual registration and an excise tax. Guess where the boat excise tax goes. General revenue.

Bill S March 8, 2026 (9:36 pm)

Kitsap Transit should make excursions to the island. The Suquamish tribe could partner with the state to reopen the salmon feast with native entertainment.

Tom Dwter March 9, 2026 (11:20 am)

More dock space on back side of island with slips. For smaller boats up to 30′ max

Ben R March 9, 2026 (1:08 pm)

Been going here almost 12 years- the Racoon infestation on this island is insane! The park Rangers (one old timer in particular- Rick?) have also made this place feel unwelcome as much as, if not more than the Racoons. I’ve tried to enjoy Blake many times for day trips and camping, but every time I leave saying I’ll never come back. Haven’t been back in several years now.. Watching my kids get chased by rabid raccoons because they had food in their hands happened way too many times. The park rangers give you a long lecture every time about the raccoons, like it’s your fault if they attack you or get in your boat or camp. Doesn’t seem very helpful at all. The rangers even patrol the picnic and campsites routinely, berating you about food and storage but you still have to put food on a plate at some point. Blake Racoons are not normal! Get rid of the resident (live on island) park rangers and their housing and I’ll go back 10-20x per year! Get rid of the Racoons, and I’ll go even more! The problem is not COVID impacts or Argosy support, most boaters feel the same way as I do, and is well documented online on various blogs when you look up Blake Island. I’ve been waiting for the long standing ranger to retire, but it seems he’s passed on his curmudgeony legacy to the newer rangers I’ve encountered as well. One story (of many)- went there on a Dad’s only trip during the offseason (later winter/spring?) camping one night, had the island to ourselves basically- except with Ranger Rick. Just 4 guys around a fire, escaping family responsibilities to enjoy some fishing and boat camping (shame on us), at a site on the West side. Was a birthday trip, low key, weather wasn’t great, not a party. We kept seeing a ghostly shadow around our parameter in the dark, of course we knew it was Rick, but thought nothing of it. He’s just doing rounds. But after a while, it felt a little off. Then, we caught him crouching in the bushes spying on us, with our bright flashlights. Called him out! Told him to get the out of our business, if you got a problem come tell us, don’t spy on us like a weirdo in the bushes. Literally no one else camping on the island, and had met with him earlier to check in and introduce ourselves respectfully. Think what you want, but I’ve heard so many others having the same experience, and I’ve had other similar experiences. This one was blatant, and strange. It’s sad to see this posting, such a cool place, but it’s not worth going there. Rather go to Penrose/Lakebay, or up to the San Juans. Might as well shut the place down or fix the real problems.

Sue R March 10, 2026 (11:44 am)

This opportunity is significant for visitors and the residents of the area. I know that it was a non-native person who brought “Tillicum Village” to the island, and that Argosy tried to bring tribal people and more authenticity into its operation, but it remains unclear to me whether this location holds historic spiritual or cultural significance to any number of local tribes. If it does, then I’d like to see rigorous conversations regarding tribal priorities being included. (No alternatives say anything about tribal involvement.)If and when that approach is addressed, and if there is no tribal priority to honor by giving the land back, I’d love to see the park utilized and prioritized for its natural values, as noted in Alternative 2. Of course, access would be limited with that alternative. For me and my community it would be an amazing destination for minimal development and kayak day and overnight trips. It’s clearly an expensive property for Parks to maintain without user fees supporting the staff, safety, and infrastructure. Seems like it’s more another “economically driven” opportunity. With so many losses of the sweet hidden gems that Seattle had before the Tech Money came and homogenized the region with expensive housing and national chains, it would be amazing (!!) to see something left that elevated natural value over the built environment. But if nature doesn’t pay, nature goes away. That’s capitalism run amok. I hope it doesn’t come down to money over ecosystem services and natural values.

Also John March 10, 2026 (2:54 pm)

Please keep the kayak only campsites. I believe there are currently three. I see the addition of boat moorage near the kayak campsite. I’ll guarantee you 100% those boats will utilize the kayak only spots.

Bob Meyer March 14, 2026 (10:10 am)

I favor Alternative 3. Educational and entertainment programming with a focus on raising the awareness of indigenous communities and their culture before the colonists arrived.

Trevor March 14, 2026 (1:18 pm)

We’ve been going to Blake Island since the 80s by boat, and the place holds a special significance for our family. I voted and look forward to continued access. It is a challenge for most folks without a boat to get there since Argosy backed out. We bought a commercial permit for our charter boat for pickup/drop-off at Blake Island and are interested in seeing if there’s demand to take day trippers and campers for drop-off and pickup this season (“Sea Folic”: 16 pax capacity, and we take well-behaved dogs, too!). Pick-up location would be from Seacrest (water taxi dock by Marination &/or possibly Manchester on the other side). We haven’t put together a schedule yet, as it’s still unclear whether there will be enough interest to do so beyond our standard private charters. If anyone would like to provide feedback on this idea, please email: info@seattlecharters.com

Lynn March 15, 2026 (12:18 am)

I vote to have well maintained trails, public & private boat access along with a restaurant like the one that was there before serving salmon & other fish along with WA State vegetables with, perhaps, a souvenir shop. Keep it simple & as natural as possible. If indigenous peoples wish to be a part of the park, they should be welcomed.

Micahel March 15, 2026 (11:14 am)

Made many a troop fall campout to the island in the 90’s and 00’s. Used the Explorer Scout tug as transportation. Kids had a good time but the Mini-bears (racoons), deer (who ate the bottoms out of the hung food bags), and the Goose poop created challenges for both scouts and leaders. I think the tribe should have first choice for what they would like to do. If they want to do a salmon bake and entertain, so be it. What is left over should be partitioned (space and funding) at a negotiated split between motor/sail craft and kayaks. Boater safety will be a BIG issue especially for the kayakers as they are hard to see visually and usually don’t show on radar. Blake Island offers unique experience to boat, camp, and hike. Because of its proximity and access to kayakers, I believe the priorities should lean there. My power boat and I have many other opportunities around the Sound to engage in, and I won’t miss the Geese.