Camp Mckean Naval Recreation Center
Rate this placeNearby: Kitsap Lake Park N A D Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Camp McKean Naval Recreation Center is located in the state of Washington and is a popular tourist destination due to its scenic beauty and outdoor activities.
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Summary
Some good reasons to visit this area include its stunning views of the Olympic Mountains, the lush forests and waterfalls, and its proximity to the Hood Canal, which is great for boating and fishing.
The center features a variety of activities such as hiking, swimming, fishing, and boating. One of the most notable points of interest at Camp McKean is the Seal Rock Campground, which is situated on the waterfront and has excellent facilities for camping and picnicking. Visitors can also explore the nearby Dosewallips River, which is known for its salmon and steelhead fishing.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the Olympic Mountains are home to over 60 glaciers and that the Hood Canal is one of the most important estuaries in the United States. Additionally, the center was originally established as a naval ammunition depot in 1942 but was later converted into a recreation center in 1960.
The best time of year to visit Camp McKean is during the summer months when the weather is warm and dry and the outdoor activities are in full swing. However, visitors should be prepared for crowds during this time as the area is a popular destination for tourists.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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