Historically, the shores surrounding Budd Inlet were occupied by village sites of the Steh-Chass (or Stehchass), Lushootseed-speaking peoples who became part of the post-treaty Squaxin Island Tribe.

Around 1850, American settlers founded the city of Olympia at the southern end of Budd Inlet.

The Deschutes River empties into West Bay just north of Tumwater Falls.

in East Bay to provide deep water access to the Port of Olympia.

This Thurston County, Washington state location article is a stub.