Have you ever noticed some of the best places to explore and enjoy with your RV are on the road to nowhere? Such is the case with Point No Point.
From the northeastern tip of the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State, a low sand spit extends east in excess of a quarter of a mile into the waters near the junction of Admiralty Inlet and Puget Sound. In 1841, Charles Wilkes of the U.S. Exploring Expedition approached the spit thinking it was a substantial point. Finding that it was much smaller than he had expected, Wilkes named the spit Point No Point. Previously, Indians had given the point a more descriptive name—Hahd-skus, meaning long nose.
As more ships sailed into Puget Sound, settlements like Hansville sprang up around the point and a lighthouse was established in 1879.
The Point No Point Lighthouse is considered to be the oldest lighthouse on Puget Sound. Its location allows visitors the opportunity to enjoy unparalleled panoramic views of Puget Sound’s many islands, the Cascade Mountains from Mount Baker to Mount Rainier, and the Seattle skyline. Additionally, the Point No Point Lighthouse is next to a nature preserve, providing glimpses of seals, bald eagles and other raptors, a wide array of waterfowl, and an abundance of other birds.
Public access to the lighthouse and the area’s sandy beach area is provided by Kitsap County through a long-term lease with the U.S. Coast Guard. The lighthouse is open from noon to 4 p.m. on weekends from April through September.
Half of the historic duplex that served as the lighthouse keeper’s home is now occupied by the U.S. Lighthouse Society. The other half is available as a vacation rental. You can find details at uslhs.org or by calling (415) 362-7255.
Nearby on the northernmost tip of the Kitsap Peninsula is the unincorporated, historic settlement of Hansville, which is known as one of the premier salmon fishing spots on Puget Sound. Hansville also boasts a network of trails at Buck Lake County Park and Foulweather Bluff, plus a walking path that stretches along Twin Spits Road.
Between Hansville and the lighthouse is the Point No Point Resort, which was built in 1920 and had a boathouse, boat launch, cabins and campground. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife purchased the 3.7-acre resort in 1996 and has leased the property to a private operator. The campground is open only during the summer, from June to Labor Day. It has a dozen RV sites in a setting with beautiful views and 224 feet of beachfront. While the boat launch was closed in January 2002 for safety reasons, plans for a new launch are under discussion. Those with car top boats can still launch a boat by negotiating the 20 yards or so of beach from the resort to the water.
Play on the beach, explore a lighthouse, cast a line, stop by historic Hansville, wander the nature reserve, then lace up your boots and check out one of the walking paths. There is plenty to keep an active RVer busy at Point No Point. When you have seen and done it all, you can retreat to the comfort of your RV and enjoy the view.
Dave Helgeson and his wife promote RV and manufactured home shows in western Washington. They spend their free time traveling and enjoying the RV lifestyle.
IF YOU GO:
Directions: Turn north at the intersection of Hansville Road and Highway 104. Travel eight miles on Hansville Road to Point No Point Road. Turn right onto Point No Point and travel to the end of the road and into the lighthouse park entrance. Point No Point Resort will be on your left before you reach the lighthouse.
Point No Point Resort has 12 RV hookups. It is open only during the summer. For information, call (360) 638-2233.
Lighthouse hours are noon to 4 p.m. on weekends, April through September. Docents will be on hand to share information and history. Tours of the historic duplex are given at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays from April through September.
Nikki is a writer and editor for Do It Yourself RV, RV LIFE, and Camper Report. She is based on the Oregon Coast and has traveled all over the Pacific Northwest.
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