Shine tidelands took it's name from the nearby community of Shine. This community originally was called Sunshine, probably because of the Olympic rain shadow. However, the US Post Office refused the name and accepted Shine instead.
The area is heavily used by clam diggers and crabbers on low tides during the summer. Also popular is beachcombing, hiking, camping, skin diving and wind surfing. The park is near the west end of the Hood Canal Bridge.