The Hood Canal
The Hood Canal is a fjord (long, narrow inlet of the sea) forming one of the four main basins of Puget Sound, and located in Mason County, Washington. Many people assume that it is man-made, because of the moniker “canal”, but the Hood Canal is actually a natural waterway, and one of the minor bodies of water that makes up the Salish Sea. It features several internal bays, some of which are used for U.S. Navy submarines. US Route 101 runs along the west shore of the Hood Canal. The Hood Canal is easily accessible by car, and via the Bremerton Ferry, if you’re coming from Seattle.
Basic Information
The canal is long and narrow, and is approximately 200 feet deep. It’s about 1.5 miles across at an average width, and extends for roughly 50 miles. It’s the geographic point used to separate the Kitsap Peninsula from the Olympic Peninsula, and it is a tributary for the Skokomish, Hamma Hamma, Duckabush, Dosewallips, and Big Quilcene rivers.
History
The Hood Canal was created approximately 13,000 years ago, by the Puget Lobe of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet. It was named by the Royal Navy Captain in honor of Admiral Lord Samuel Hood. Originally the name was written as “Hood’s Channel” in a journal, but as “Hood Canal” on the maps and charts. The United States Board of Geographic Names settled on using the name “Hood Canal” in 1932.
Acclaim
Hood Canal is spanned by the Hood Canal Bridge, which is the third longest floating bridge in the world at the time of this blog. Additionally, it is thought to be the only floating bridge over salt water in Washington State.
Activities
There are many state parks located along the Hood Canal, as well as some hiking and recreation trails like Hamma Hamma and the Staircase Campground. There’s a variety of wildlife and some bird estuaries, as well as beaches, swimming holes, and places for biking or horseback riding. There are also several golf courses to choose from, including Alderbrook, Lake Cushman, Lake Limerick, and Salish Cliffs, depending on your taste and experience levels.
Food
There is a variety of amazing food readily available in the areas surrounding the Hood Canal, including locally caught clams, oysters, and salmon. There are Mexican restaurants, burger joints, coffee shops, cafes, and saloons. Try local favorites Model T Pub and Brewery (model sander races held on the Saturday before Labor Day) and Hama Hama Oyster Company. You can also attend “A Taste of Hood Canal,” a local festival occurring each year in August.
No matter the reason for your adventure to the Hood Canal, you’ll find amazing things to keep you and your entire family occupied! It’s going to be a journey you’ll never forget!
For more information, the staff of Robin Hood Village Resorts are always happy to help recommend some of our favorite places around the Hood Canal. We can’t wait to see you!
The Hood Canal is a fjord (long, narrow inlet of the sea) forming one of the four main basins of Puget Sound, and located in Mason County, Washington. Many people assume that it is man-made, because of the moniker “canal”, but the Hood Canal is actually a natural waterway, and one of the minor bodies of water that makes up the Salish Sea. It features several internal bays, some of which are used for U.S. Navy submarines. US Route 101 runs along the west shore of the Hood Canal. The Hood Canal is easily accessible by car, and via the Bremerton Ferry, if you’re coming from Seattle.
Basic Information
The canal is long and narrow, and is approximately 200 feet deep. It’s about 1.5 miles across at an average width, and extends for roughly 50 miles. It’s the geographic point used to separate the Kitsap Peninsula from the Olympic Peninsula, and it is a tributary for the Skokomish, Hamma Hamma, Duckabush, Dosewallips, and Big Quilcene rivers.
History
The Hood Canal was created approximately 13,000 years ago, by the Puget Lobe of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet. It was named by the Royal Navy Captain in honor of Admiral Lord Samuel Hood. Originally the name was written as “Hood’s Channel” in a journal, but as “Hood Canal” on the maps and charts. The United States Board of Geographic Names settled on using the name “Hood Canal” in 1932.
Acclaim
Hood Canal is spanned by the Hood Canal Bridge, which is the third longest floating bridge in the world at the time of this blog. Additionally, it is thought to be the only floating bridge over salt water in Washington State.
Activities
There are many state parks located along the Hood Canal, as well as some hiking and recreation trails like Hamma Hamma and the Staircase Campground. There’s a variety of wildlife and some bird estuaries, as well as beaches, swimming holes, and places for biking or horseback riding. There are also several golf courses to choose from, including Alderbrook, Lake Cushman, Lake Limerick, and Salish Cliffs, depending on your taste and experience levels.
Food
There is a variety of amazing food readily available in the areas surrounding the Hood Canal, including locally caught clams, oysters, and salmon. There are Mexican restaurants, burger joints, coffee shops, cafes, and saloons. Try local favorites Model T Pub and Brewery (model sander races held on the Saturday before Labor Day) and Hama Hama Oyster Company. You can also attend “A Taste of Hood Canal,” a local festival occurring each year in August.
No matter the reason for your adventure to the Hood Canal, you’ll find amazing things to keep you and your entire family occupied! It’s going to be a journey you’ll never forget!
For more information, the staff of Robin Hood Village Resorts are always happy to help recommend some of our favorite places around the Hood Canal. We can’t wait to see you!
