Suquamish

Suquamish is a community of 4,100 people (2010) on the Kitsap Peninsula in the Puget Sound region of Washington state.

Suquamish, located on the Port Madison Indian Reservation, is home of the Suquamish tribe.

Understand
Suquamish means "place of clear salt water" in the Native Lushootseed language, and has been the primary home of the Suquamish people since ancient times. It sits on Agate Passage, and is the site of Old-Man-House village, the winter home of Chief Seattle, the heart of the Suquamish people and of Puget Sound.

One of the most influential leaders of the Northwest, Chief Seattle, lived here and he is buried at Suquamish Memorial Cemetery behind St. Peters Mission.

Chief Kitsap for which the county and the Peninsula are named also lived in the area and was an influential leader.

Visiting the areas forested hills, clear streams and endless clear salt water will give insight into why the original inhabitants of Puget Sound chose this region to call home and navigated these waters in well-designed cedar canoes. Today Suquamish is culturally and economically diverse area, with a mix of native and non-native residents that include artists, crafts people, local workers, commuters and retirees. Suquamish Tribal traditions are celebrated throughout the year and are a visible part of the Suquamish experience.

By car
Follow Highway 305 North towards Poulsbo approximately six miles. Make a right on Suquamish Way NE at the stoplight, just after the Agate Pass Bridge. Follow Suquamish Way NE. Take Highway 104 to Poulsbo. Turn left on Highway 305 and continue south through Poulsbo toward Bainbridge Island. Follow on Suquamish Way NE. Take Highway 16 West to Highway 3 North towards Poulsbo. Exit at the Highway 305 Bainbridge Island exit. Follow through Poulsbo Toward Bainbridge Island. Follow Suquamish Way NE.
 * From the Seattle/Bainbridge Island Ferry
 * From the Edmonds/Kingston Ferry
 * From Tacoma

By shuttle
A free shuttle runs between the Bainbridge Island and Kingston ferry docks and the Suquamish resort.

Get around
The central area of Suquamish is accessible on foot from the central dock.

Sea kayaking
The Suquamish navigated these waters in well designed cedar canoes for thousands of years and much of the designs of modern sea kayaks owe some debt to these early designs. Suquamish is an excellent place to start a sea kayaking adventure exploring the many harbor towns that cater to kayakers with shops and restaurants accessible from the water. Harbor Seals, Otters, Sea Lions, Bald Eagles and Blue Herons are common sites while the occasional viewing of an Orca or Grey Whale is not out of the question.

Kayak trails
Organized trails offer overnight camping options and maps of appropriate and scenic travel destinations, many of these trails follow the same paths that the Suquamish have used for thousands of years.



Drink
Suquamish is known for its highly rated casino and resort, but there are a few other places in town that offer coffee.



By car
Suquamish is across the Agate Pass Bridge from Bainbridge Island and near Poulsbo and Indianola.

By boat
Suquamish is centrally located on the Kitsap Peninsula. There are several marinas nearby including Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island and the public marinas in Poulsbo and Keyport.

If you are following the Kitsap Water Trails, Suquamish is centrally located on the Kingston leg and also offers easy access to Bainbridge Island.