Except for the Wilderness Loop Trail and the campground, all areas above the high tide line are closed to the public.

Fish and Wildlife Service (formerly the U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife) and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission entered into a cooperative management agreement in June 1959 to use a small portion of the island (2 acres (0.81 ha) around Rolfe Cove) as a State Marine Park and campground in response to uncontrolled use by the public with the proliferation of private boats in the years following World War II.

The wilderness trail offers a unique glimpse of protected old growth island forest habitat present in only a few places in the region.

For almost 30 years a man, Elvin H. Smith, lived in a cabin on a bay in the island's southeast corner (opposite Rolfe Cove).

Embittered because Army bureaucrats never recognized his battlefield commission and disappointed by an unhappy love affair, he left home for good and headed west.

Facilities include a 1.2 miles (2 km) loop trail, 6 primitive campsites, a picnic site and a composting toilet.

Pets, fires of any type, and wood collecting are not allowed on the island although there is an exception for liquid fuel campstoves.

Matia offers primitive camping, picnicking, saltwater fishing, scuba diving, limited hiking and clam digging.