Location
Matia Island State Park is 2.5 miles north of Orcas Island and 1.5 miles east of Sucia
Island, San Juan County.
Acreage
145 acres with 20,676 feet of saltwater shoreline on the Strait of Georgia, of which, 5
acres are developed for public use with 680' waterfront.
Acquired
Five acres of Matia Island State Park has been utilized for State Park purposes via a
letter of permission from the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife since June 1959.
Historical Background
Captain Eliza of the Spanish Expedition of 1792, named the island "isle de
Mata". Mata has many meanings in Spanish, most having to do with lush plant growth.
The U.S. Coast Survey conferred the name Matia on the island in 1854. Matia also means
"no protection" in Spanish.
Facilities
6 campsites, one picnic site, 1 composting toilet, 1 116-foot pier, 1 45-foot ramp, 12
x 60 ft moorage float, 2 buoys, 1-mile loop trail, 1 bulletin board/pay station. No
drinking water. Garbage: pack-it-out.
Activities
Primitive camping, picnicking, saltwater fishing, scuba diving, hiking and clam
digging.
Back
to Island Region Map |