Cutts Island State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cutts Island State Park
Cutts (or Deadman's) Island
Cutts Island State Park Location in Washington (state)
Location	Pierce County, Washington, United States
Nearest city	Gig Harbor, Washington
Area	2 acres (0.81 ha)
Elevation	43 ft (13 m)
Designation	Washington marine state park
Established	1969
Administrator	Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Website	Cutts Island State Park

Cutts Island State Park is a fun place to visit in Washington. It's a public park that covers all of Cutts Island. This small island is about 2 acres big. It's located in Carr Inlet in Pierce County.

The island is made of clay and has many trees. At low tide, a special teardrop-shaped beach appears. The island is about half a mile from Kopachuck State Park. You can only reach Cutts Island by boat. Sometimes, at very low tide, you might even be able to walk there across a sandbar!

Discover Cutts Island State Park

Cutts Island State Park is a unique spot for outdoor adventures. It's a "marine state park," which means it's mainly for activities on or near the water. The park was created in 1969.

What to Do at the Park

If you visit Cutts Island, you can enjoy several activities.

• Beachcombing: Explore the beach and look for interesting shells or rocks.
• Scuba Diving: The waters around the island are great for scuba diving. You can see amazing underwater life.
• Boating: There are eight special buoys where boats can tie up. This makes it easy for boaters to visit the island.

The Many Names of Cutts Island

Cutts Island has had a few different names over time. Each name tells a bit about its history.

Crow Island

In 1792, an explorer named Peter Puget visited the island. He saw many crows living there. Because of all the crows, people sometimes called it "Crow Island."

Scotts Island

Later, in 1841, another expedition explored the area. This group was led by Wilkes. Thomas Scott was a quartermaster on this trip. The island was named "Scotts Island" after him for a while.

Deadman's Island

Another name for the island was "Deadman's Island." This name came from a belief that local Native American tribes used the island as a special place. They were thought to have honored their ancestors by placing canoes in the forks of trees. This practice led to the name "Deadman's Island."

Cutts Island

Today, the island is known as Cutts Island. No one is quite sure where this name came from. It remains a mystery!