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BEAUTIFUL HOOD CANAL 
Welcome to Washington Stateís only "fjord", a 70+ miles long inland waterway with shellfish-laden shorelines. This beautiful saltwater inlet is located on the eastern shore of the Olympic Peninsula at the base of the spectacular Olympc Mountains within a 2 hour drive from the Seattle metropolitan area. Highway 101, a popular scenic tour bus route, winds lazily along the western shore of Hood Canal. Travelers enjoy views of lush river valleys, majestic mountains and the emerald-green waters of numerous tiny coves along the way. The highway crosses five pristine, glacier-fed rivers that flow from the grand snow-capped Olympics into Hood Canal. In addition to providing some wonderful fishing, these rivers are the gateway into the Olympic National Park where one will find beauty in nature like nowhere else in the world. This unique conservatorium was preserved for our enjoymnet in 1938 as a National Park. A network of over 600 miles of hiking trails and a few auto-accessed viewpoints provide a window into this vast wilderness of local flora and fauna. You may be fortunate to catch a glimpse of the elusive wildlife dwelling within which includes Roosevelt elk, cougars, and bears. High alpine meadows offer an impressive display of wildflowers. This popular vacation destination has a multitude of recreational opportunities for all ages; boating, golf, beach combing, photography, hiking/camping, shellfishing, birdwatching and more. Scuba divers travel from miles around to experience the clear waters of Hood Canal, host to an unusually diverse and colorful sealife.
AWAKEN YOUR SENSES!
Sounds of lapping waves, a seagullís cry for a handout and breezes filled with the salty smells of oyters and seaweed accompany a walk on the beach. Stroll through an old-growth forest and enjoy a cool mist, the chatter of a scolding chipmunk and the mossy-sweet smell of the soggy rainforest floor. Take a drive to one of many observation points and view a panorama of mountain peaks, shorelines and distant islands. Stay awhile and you may be rewarded with a moonrise over Hood Canal or a glorious sunset over the Olympics.
Close your eyes for a moment, listen..................
the early morning song of a loon.
the splash of an otterís tail.
a barking sea lion.
the scream of an eagle overhead.
the warning whistle of a marmot.
sweet bird chatter everywhere.
the distant call of a coyote at dusk.
There is nowhere else in the world like the Olympic Peninsula and beautiful Hood Canal!! 
BRINNON
The lifestyle in Brinnon is relaxed and healthy. The air is cleansed with 50 to 80 inches of rainfall per year. The water is cold and sweet, flowing from the glaciers high atop the majestic Olympic Mountains, through forested, rocky ravines to the emerald waters of the Duckabush and Dosewallips Rivers. The clean water from these two rivers mixes with the salt water of Hood Canal. An abundance of sealife depends upon this mixture. Hood Canal is famous for fresh seafood; oysters, clams, Dungeness crab, cod, salmon, shrimp, squid, octopus, scallops and more.The National Forest occupies the majority of land above the Hood Canal, with the Olympic National Park beyond. The park hosts several Roosevelt elk herds that make annual visits to the lowlands. Residents have grown to tolerate their migration paths and grazing habits, in exchange for the awesome sight of these remarkable animals, who are not shy as they wander through yards.
WEATHER is very moderate; average temperatures ranging from 50ís to 70ís with summer highs in the 80ís and winter lows in the 20ís. Brinnon is somewhat protected from prevailing southwesterly winds by the Olympic Mountain Range. Winter winds coming in from the north affect some waterfront communities, however again, Brinnon is protected by the Toandos and Bolton Peninsulas to the north. There is occasional snowfall and some history of large snowfalls, particularly up the two river valleys. With the warmth of the salt water, the snow usually melts quickly along Highway 101. 
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES abound in Brinnon with the rivers, mountains and Hood Canal. Boating is a must. Divers come from miles around to view the unusually active and diverse marine life. The Dosewallips and Duckabush trailheads into the Olympic National Park are a popular destination for hikers. The trails take you into a world of wonder and beauty like nowhere else; with rain forests, towering old growth timber, alpine meadows, lakes and peace & quiet away from all manmade things. A place to experience wildlife in its own habitat; cougar, bear, mountain goats, marmots, bobcats, fox, coyote, deer & elk. The rivers are too cold for swimming (at least for any length of time) however, the Hood Canal waters warm up in summer to allow great saltwater swimming. A truly special treat and one only for the brave and adventurous, is to go swimming in the Hood Canal on a moonless night to watch the glowing phosphorous (a micro-organism similar to fireflies). A good way to find out about the shellfish found in our are is to visit the Pt. Whitney Shellfish Laboratory interpretive center on Bee Mill Rd. just 3 miles off Hwy 101 at Pt. Whitney.
RESIDENTS OF BRINNON are mostly retired and those who work in the recreational facilities. There is a large percentage of property owners who live elsewhere and have a vacation getaway here. However, we are seeing more people moving to Brinnon to get out of the cities and back into the country who are having to commute to jobs 40 to 60 miles away.
JOBS are limited to the local services; groceries, post office, restaurants, real estate sales, boating activities and those jobs related to the National Forest industry, the seafood growers, State and National Parks and a growing number of small independant home businesses.
SCHOOLS are small & rural. Brinnon boasts a record number of students at 120+, serving preschool thru 8th grade. The highschool students go on to Quilcene High School, 10 miles away or to the larger Chimacum High School, 25 miles away.
TRANSPORTATION is either by personal auto or the Jefferson County Transit System which runs between Brinnon and Port Townsend 3 times a day Monday through Friday. At Port Townsend, you can transfer to other buses which take you to Sequim, Port Ludlow and Kitsap County. 
CAMPING is abundant; DOSEWALLIPS STATE PARK located on the Dosewallips River, offers a large oyster/clam beach and fishing in the river. Wooded and riverfront campsites, showers, restrooms and R/V dumping station. SEAL ROCK NATIONAL PARK located just north of Brinnon on Hwy 101, offers waterfront seclusion on wooded campsites. Walk across the street to the oyster beach on Hood Canal.
FLOCK-IN TRAILER PARK is in Brinnon, close to the trail to the Dosewallips State Park beach and stores. COVE PARK CAMPGROUND is 3 mi. north of Brinnon near Point Whitney State Park and boat launch. Offers a grocery store, showers and R/V sites.
FALLS VIEW NATIONAL FOREST campground is located on Mt. Walker approximately half way between Brinnon and Quilcene. Wooded campsites are more primitive, no showers, power, etc. ELK HORN & CAMP COLLINS National Forest Campgrounds are located at the end of the Dosewallips River Rd. and the Duckabush River Rd. near the trailheads into the Olympic National Park. Primitive campsites on the rivers with outhouses.
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK is accessed by numerous trails in the area, opening up to the ultimate hiking experiences of this great natural wonder. High alpine meadows, snow capped mountain peaks, wildlife not seen by most, old growth and rainforests.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES in Brinnon include the Brinnon Community Theatre which performs several plays throughout the year at the Brinnon Booster Club. The Brinnon Booster club hosts bingo every Saturday night, a bazaar every Saturday morning, an annual Christmas Bazaar and other special occasion functions and dances. The Brinnon Senior Center is a daily gathering place for Seniors to play cards, see movies and have dinner. The Jefferson County Library sends the Bookmobile to Brinnon once a week. The Halfway House Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week. The Geoduck Tavern, with its wonderful waterfront views, hosts the annual Salmon Derby. Brinnonís annual Shrimp Festival is held each year during shrimp season. Beyond Brinnon, there are lots of annual and on-going events in the Port Townsend and Sequim areas with Art Shows, Theatre Productions, visiting Musicians and Artists, Jazz Festivals, The Wooden Boat Show, the Victorian Homes Tour and much, much more.
ACCOMODATIONS are limited but well worth the experience. The County operates the Bayshore Motel located on Highway 101 at the Dosewallips River Rd. where you can wake up to sunrises over beautiful Hood Canal. Further up the Dosewallips Rd. you can enjoy a wonderful nightís stay at the Elk Meadows Bed & Breakfast.  Here, you can truly get a feel for the lifestyle we enjoy in the countryside of Brinnon, including visits from the elk herds and views of the snow-capped Olympics. Brinnon Flats Bed and Breakfast is a warm and comfortable home where you will enjoy special breakfasts and hospitality. A real unique, romantic experience is House Boats for Two on the water at Pleasant Harbor complete with indoor hot-tub, kitchen & covered deck. Just 2 miles north of town is a rental called Right Smart Cottage, located on Right Smart Cove, a small waterfront cottage with full kitchen, accomodates 5. 10 miles north on Hwy 101 in Quilcene there are two motels, the Maple Grove next to the Loggerís Landing Restaurant and the Quilcene Inn on Rogers Street. South of Brinnon about 15 miles you will find the Glen Ayre Motel and campground with R/V hookups, a jacuzzi spa overlooking Hood Canal and a dock to fish from.
EMERGENCY SERVICES are provided by a dedicated force of volunteers. Brinnonís EMTís and volunteer firefighters provide ambulance service to local hospitals in Port Townsend, Shelton or Bremerton. Fire protection is enhanced by the 911 service. Our team here in Brinnon has received several awards for their expedient service. Serious medical situations are handled with airlifts to Metropolitan Hospitals in Seattle or Bremerton.
UTILITIES/TAXES P.U.D. of Mason county serves our area for electricity with lower rates than average as it is a non-profit Public Utility District. Most homes are on private wells, some developments have community water systems and others are on water systems managed by P.U.D. of Jefferson County. All homes are on individual septic systems. Property taxes are approximately $10.00 per thousand of assessed valuation, with discounts for senior citizens. Propane gas is delivered by several companies in the area for heating, cooking, etc. State sales tax on all non-food items is 7.9%. There is no State income tax.
POPULATION varies from summer to winter, accounting for the vacation property owners and recreational users. Currently statistics say that Brinnon has a population of approximately 2200 and Quilcene is slightly less at approximately 2100.
BUSINESSES in Brinnon; The Quilcene/Brinnon Chamber of Commerce publishes a brochure listing those business who belong to the Chamber, available in most businesses locations. In addition to those, we have several home businesses tucked into the woods all around the area. For more informatin about Brinnon or Quilcene or real estate in our area please cotact:
Settlers Real Estate
1-800-962-6401
(360) 796-4900
info@cbsettlers.com
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