Key Peninsula

The out-of-the-way Key Peninsula is the southernmost extension of the larger Kitsap Peninsula in Washington state, southwest of Purdy. It gets its name from its key-like shape. The small communities of Key Center, Vaughn, Home, Lakebay, and Longbranch serve the 16 mi (26 km) of homesteads, forests and coves. The population of the Key Peninsula is about 20,000 people.

Key Center is not large by most people's standards, however it is the largest town on the Key Peninsula. If you are heading south on your adventure this will be your last chance to visit a real grocery store.

Vaughn was named for W.D. Vaughn, who settled in the area around 1851. It was once an important port for the Key Peninsula. From the 1870s to the 1920s, transportation needs for Vaughn and other communities along Case Inlet were once served by a small flotilla of steamboats. The local community based monthly newspaper called the North Bay Review, services Allyn.

Seeing the quiet seaside community of Home today, it is difficult to imagine it as the area's hotbed for radical anarchists and nudists, but that is nonetheless the area's history from 1895, when after the failure of the industrial cooperative colony Glennis, east of Eatonville, three former Glennisites — George H. Allen, Oliver A. Verity, and B. F. O'Dell — set out in the summer into Puget Sound on a rowboat they built themselves to find an isolated location for a new community. They decided upon Von Geldern Cove (also known as Joe's Bay) as the site for their new Home Colony, which would be an intentional community based on anarchist philosophy. Land was apportioned to those who became members of the Mutual Home Association, agreeing to its anarchist ideals and to pay for their lot. The title to each member's land would stay with the Association. The Association also held title to a meeting hall and a trading post. When Home was plotted in 1901 it had increased in size to 217 acres (0.88 km²) and had become home to anarchists, communists, food faddists, freethinkers, nudists, and others who did not fit in with mainstream society.

Following the assassination of President McKinley by an anarchist in 1901, the community came under scrutiny. Inflammatory articles in Tacoma newspapers led to threats by a vigilante committee formed by members of the Grand Army of the Republic, who planned to invade the colony by steamboat and "put it to the torch." They were stopped when the steamboat owner refused to take them. In 1902, after charges of violation of the Comstock Act resulting from an article advocating free-love published in the local anarchist newspaper, Home's post office was closed by postal inspectors and moved two miles (3 km) to the smaller town of Lakebay. The Association became divided into disagreeing factions called "nudes" and "prudes." The two factions were coined in a series of editorials in the Home newspaper The Agitator in which editor Jay Fox defended Homeites arrested in 1911 for nude swimming against those who had reported them to county authorities. Because of these editorials, Fox was charged with the misdemeanor of encouraging or advocating disrespect for law or for any court or courts of justice and jailed for two months. In 1919 the Association was dissolved and the anarchist community, as it was, ended.

Lakebay is at the head of Mayo Cove on the east side of the Key Peninsula, and at the gateway to Penrose Point State Park. The Lakebay Marina began as a farmer’s co-op and a way for farmers to transport their crops to other towns long before it was a marina. In 1875, a logger named Carl Lorenz built boats in Lakebay to carry his finished lumber to town. He later used these boats to ferry farmers and their produce to other areas. His boats were part of what later became known as the Mosquito Fleet.

Longbranch is along Filucy Bay between Pitt Passage and Balch Passage. Longbranch is primarily residential and includes a marina, church, and community center. Longbranch was named after Long Branch, New Jersey in 1889, when founder Edward Yeasell wanted to duplicate that resort on the Puget Sound. However his plans never quite took hold and Longbranch eventually became the quiet community we know today.

The main way in is the Key Peninsula Highway, which starts from a junction with WA-302 west of Purdy and extends almost to the south tip of the peninsula.

• Key Center is 8 mi (13 km) south of Purdy.
• Vaughn is 2 mi (3.2 km) west of Key Center, off the main highway
• Home is 13 mi (21 km) south of Purdy.
• Lakebay is 16 mi (26 km) south of Purdy.
• Longbranch is 18 mi (29 km) south of Purdy, near the southern end of the peninsula.

• 47.20904-122.7561521 Longbranch Improvement Club Marina, 5213 Key Peninsula Hwy S, Longbranch (near the southern end of Key Peninsula on Filucy Bay), ☏ +1 253 884-5137. The marina offers 760 feet of public moorage with basic amenities: fresh water, electrical hookups, toilets and garbage disposal and A covered area with gas barbecue. Guest moorage is first-come, first-served, advance notification for groups is requested.  
• Lakebay Marina & Resort is closed for restoration and redevelopment. There is no announced opening date.

• 47.27485-122.760142 Home public boat launch. For both motorized and non-motorized boats.  
• 47.34204-122.776173 Vaughn public boat launch. A small boat ramp on Vaughn Bay.  (updated May 2026)
• Joemma Beach State Park provides a boat launch and water trail campsites, 5 buoys and 500 feet dock footage.
• Penrose Point State Park has 8 state buoys and 304 feet of dock that is available for visiting boaters.
• Taylor Bay Park offers access for non-motorized boats.

Map of Key Peninsula

The small communities are walkable by foot. You will need a vehicle or vessel to get from one community to the other.

This is an excellent area to explore by boat. Vaughn Bay's gentle waters are protected by a spit, inlets at Home and Lakebay are interesting to explore, and there are several islands nearby. Many of the nearby homes either have their own docks, and some of them are even built on piers directly over the water.

• 47.3428-122.763471 Key Peninsula Historical Society and Museum, 17010 S Vaughn Rd, Vaughn. 1-4PM Th and Sa. Dedicated to learning about and preserving the local history of the Key Peninsula and its maritime and farming past. They also offer an auto tour of the area. Free.  
• 47.27756-122.76712 Home Park, Key Pen Hwy S. at 8th Ave, Home. This park has a small historical marker in front discussing Homes anarchist past. It has generous play equipment and swings and the picnic shelter, which was sponsored by the Key Peninsula Lions Club, was constructed mostly by lumber that was milled from trees harvested from the local Volunteer Park.  

• 47.3428-122.763331 Key Peninsula Civic Center, 17010 S Vaughn Rd N, Vaughn, ☏ +1 253 884-3456. The Key Peninsula Civic Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the welfare of the Key Peninsula community and citizens, and encouraging civic consciousness through active participation in constructive projects that will improve the community.  
• 47.17928-122.757072 Sound View Camp, 8515 Key Peninsula Hwy S, Longbranch, ☏ +1 253 884-9202. Kids summer camp offers everything from archery to arts and crafts  

• 47.22472-122.80773 Joemma Beach State Park, 20001 Bay Rd SW (SW of Home), ☏ +1 253-884-1944, [email protected]. 8AM-dusk. A 122-acre marine camping park with 3,000 feet of saltwater frontage on southeast Kitsap Peninsula. Aside from the natural beauty of park and surroundings, the area is an excellent place for fishing, boating and crabbing. Provides a boat launch and water trail campsites, 5 buoys and 500 feet of dock footage. Discover Pass required ($10/day, $45/year).  (updated May 2026)
• 47.2587-122.7444 Penrose Point State Park, 321 158th Ave SW (East of Lakebay), ☏ +1 253-884-2514, [email protected]. 8AM-dusk. This 152-acre marine and camping park is a small peninsula that sets on the shores of Mayo Cove and Carr Inlet and offers a wide variety of water activities. Impressive stands of fir and cedar share space with ferns, rhododendrons, wildlife and birds. The name honors Dr. Stephen Penrose, a Pennsylvania native who served as president of Whitman College in Walla Walla from 1884 to 1934. For many years, Dr. Penrose and his family spent their summers vacationing on what is now park property. A prominent church and educational leader in the Northwest, Dr. Penrose was a firm believer in outdoor recreation for children. A self-guided interpretive trail called "A Touch of Nature" was built by Eagle Scouts in 1982 and renovated by a second group of Eagle Scouts in 1991. The trail is located in the day-use area, and extends for 1/5 mile. Discover Pass required ($10/day, $45/year).  (updated May 2026)

• 47.187597-122.6962425 Eagle Island State Park, ☏ +1 360 902-8844, [email protected]. 10-acre marine park with 2,600 feet of saltwater shoreline. There are 2 mooring buoys on the west side and 1 on the east side of this remote island accessible only by boat between Anderson Island and McNeal Island, there are also trails and the area is known for the many seals that come to sunbath. The park was named after Harry Eagle, a member of the Wilkes Expedition. The island does not have restrooms or potable water, and no camping or fires are allowed.  (updated Mar 2025)
• 47.38589-122.742336 Rocky Creek Conservation Area, SR 302 at 150th Ave (North of Key Center. From WA-302, turn right on Elgin-Clifton Rd, then right on 150th Ave and then left on Elgin Clifton Access Rd. Follow gravel road approx 1 mile to trailhead.). 224 acres of park, open space and conservation land. Rocky Creek has over 3 miles of walking (non-motorized) trails, 2 benches, Trailhead Kiosk, and three parking spots available at the trailhead. The property consists of woodlands (mixture of Fir, Hemlock, Alder, and Cedar), wetlands, two streams (Glee Creek and Rocky Creek, as well as various plants and wildlife.  
• 47.24396-122.757717 Bay Lake (directly south of Lakebay Marina). Lakebay was named after the close proximity of this lake and nearby Mayo Cove. There is a public water access along Sanford Ave KP S.  
• 47.29753-122.751168 Maple Hollow Park, 4411 Van Beek Rd (North of Home). This 58-acre site offers a circle trail with mid-point access to a stretch of beach along the Puget Sound with views of Mount Rainier. The park includes an improved walking trail, picnic area and walking access to saltwater beach on Carr Inlet.  
• 47.2651-122.745419 Mayo Cove (Lakebay). This tranquil clear waterway separates Penrose State Park from the mainland. Its many sandy beaches and nearby spit are best explored by boat but a drive along Lorenz Rd KP S gives ample views of the cove, the interesting regional architecture and nearby Von Glendern Cove on the drive back to Home.  
• 47.30843-122.7552810 Volunteer Park & Sports Complex, 5514 Key Peninsula Hwy N (between Key Center and Home). This 20-acre park includes softball fields, picnic shelter, skate park, soccer field, horseshoe pits, walking trail, restrooms, 9-hole disc golf course, and some camping.  
• 47.18761-122.7768811 Taylor Bay Park, 17916 76th St KPS (West of Longbranch). Composed of three parcels totaling 39 acres. The property was purchased with funds from Pierce County Conservation Futures and Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office Salmon Recovery Funding Board. Two of the three parcels have over 600 feet of shoreline access to Taylor Bay.  

• An Auto Tour through Key Peninsula History. 50 mile historical route that connects almost 120 points of interest on the Key Peninsula that was assembled and curated by the Key Peninsula Historical Society. Brochures are available for free from the Key Peninsula Historical Society in Vaughn. 

Penrose Point State Park and Joemma State Park are both excellent places to start a beachcombing adventure offering miles of beaches from the rugged to the sandy smooth. Small crabs, moon snails, sea stars and sand dollars are common sites and tide pools can offer hours of exploration.

Be warned that sea shells and driftwood are considered part of the natural environment and should not be removed, however the often rocky and wild shores are havens for creating and revealing beach glass and anything artificial found is fair game for removal. Be respectful of private property and gentle with sea creatures. Keep a wide distance away from nesting birds, seals and other shore animals and always put back anything removed from the shoreline.

The Kitsap Audubon Society has been actively meeting since 1972 and has a broad coalition of birders actively tracking and sharing sightings since then. They also maintain an active website with updates of the latest sightings, suggestions on areas for birders and even a regular newsletter. They also developed a checklist of birds likely to be seen birds in the area.

The state Audubon society developed 'The Great Audubon Birding Trail' which includes key migration flyways. Flyways are major north-south routes of travel for migratory birds and likely areas to see birds along the route extending from Alaska to Patagonia. Penrose Point State Park is only one of only seven locations in the area named to be on the list.

Sea kayaking can be a rewarding way to explore the surrounding area, allowing the paddler a closer and slower look at their surroundings and making Kitsap one of the most popular areas to kayak in Puget Sound. Thick forests of majestic pine and deciduous trees and hundreds of creeks and estuaries dot the coastline. Or just explore Kitsaps many harbor towns that cater to kayakers like Lakebay 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.

Organized trails offer overnight camping options and maps of appropriate lengths and scenic travel destinations.

• Key Peninsula Marine Trail. A 40 mi (64 km) marine trail with 14 legs between 15 points of interest around the Key Peninsula. 

Shellfish are prized resources of the Puget Sound, the cool, clean waters provide some of the finest shellfish habitat in the world. Washington State is the nation’s leading producer of farmed bivalve shellfish (clams, geoduck, mussels and oysters). Maps of public shellfishing areas and health warnings and updates can be found online at the States Fish and Wildlife website, as with all fishing in Puget Sound permits are required and can be purchased online or in some sporting goods stores.

• Penrose Point State Park is open to shellfishing clams from March 1st through May 15 and Oysters open March 1st through May 15. The best area for clam and oyster harvest on this beach is in the bay between Penrose Point and the small spit to the northwest of Penrose Point. This area has been enhanced with Manila clams and oysters. Native littleneck clams, butter clams, horse clams, cockles and eastern shoft-shell clams are also found on this beach.

• 47.33948-122.745321 Key IGA, 9021 Key Peninsula Hwy NW, Key Center, ☏ +1 253-884-3325. 8AM-9PM. This grocery store is a busy hub of Key Center.  
• 47.26919-122.768612 Home Country Store, 1309 Key Peninsula Hwy N, Home, ☏ +1 253 884-2106. Restock and resupply your basic needs here, not huge but there are not a lot of choices on this end of the peninsula.  

There are a few restaurants in Home and around Key Center.

• 47.38227-122.693651 Wauna Burgers, 11717 SR 302 (a few miles north of Vaughn, west of Purdy), ☏ +1 253 858-5205. A local destination restaurant serving up large burgers and even larger fries.  

• 47.34407-122.736121 Olde Glencove Hotel, 9418 Glencove Road Kp N, ☏ +1 253 884-2835. Built as a resort, this turn of the century facility offers Victorian ambiance throughout overlooking a quiet bay.  
• 47.31599-122.737782 Frog Creek Lodge, 15003 64th St Kp N, ☏ +1 253 884-3188. This 5,000 ft² (460 m²), 8-bedroom lodge is available to rent as a group and has all the amenities for a family vacation.  
• Longbranch B&B, 5212 Key Peninsula Hwy S. Remodeled 1890s homestead right across from the Longbranch marina with an amazing view of Mt Rainier and Puget Sound and featuring Italian food. 

• Camping and moorage is available at both Penrose Point State Park and Joemma State Park.
• There are some limited camping spaces available at Volunteer Park.
• 47.3446-122.7313 YMCA Camp Seymour, 9725 Cramer Road Kp N, ☏ +1 253 884-3392. Summer camp, family camp, outdoor and environmental education, conference and retreats  

• 47.338323-122.7466121 Key Center Library, 8905 Key Peninsula Hwy N, ☏ +1 253 884-2242. M-W 10AM-7PM, Th-F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su closed. Computers and internet access and a good place to learn more about the areas interesting history.  (updated Mar 2025)
• 47.26862-122.769232 Lakebay Post Office, 1302 Key Peninsula Hwy N, Home, ☏ +1 253 884-2389. In 1902, after charges of violation of the Comstock Act resulting from an article advocating free-love published in the local anarchist newspaper Discontent: Mother of Progress, neighboring Home's post office was closed by postal inspectors and moved two miles (3 km) to its current location here at Lakebay. Lakebay's ZIP code is 98349.  

• Longbranch Improvement Club. Keeps an updated newsletter and calendar of events in the area. 

• Gig Harbor
• Port Orchard

• Fox Island is about 8 miles east of Lakebay and would make a nice round-trip journey when exploring the area by boat.
• This also a good launching spot to explore Anderson Island and Eagle Island State Park.
• Nearby McNeil Island is a prison island and access is strictly controlled by the state penitentiary system.
• Gig Harbor has the closest marinas offering fuel, by traveling under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Look for the lighthouse marking the small opening to the harbor.