Recreation

Made up of natural beaches, rain forests, rugged highlands and the Olympic National Park, there are thousands of outdoor opportunities at your doorstep in Grays Harbor.

As beautiful as anywhere on earth, the majestic glacier-carved and fed Lake Quinault is surrounded by the mossy old-growth trees of the Quinault Rain Forest. Fittingly, the valley that creates the lake and rainforest is known as the Valley of the Giants. Here you will find the largest Sitka Spruce in the world, along with other recognized giants of Hemlock, Douglas Fir, Western Red, and Alaskan Cedar. The towering trees and lush, green forests at the southern end of the Olympic National Park and National Forest are home to abundant wildlife including bald eagles, bears, and Roosevelt elk. Miles of trails are also easily accessible from the campgrounds and resorts around the lake and in the forest, varying in length from moderate to advanced. Each trail offers a different perspective into the diverse features of the valley’s unique ecosystem. For those looking for a more leisurely way to see the park, take the scenic 30-mile loop drive around Lake Quinault and marvel at the rain forest from the comfort of your car.

In addition to the majestic Olympic National Park, Grays Harbor has nine state parks, nine wildlife conservation areas, and numerous trails and walkways. Each community has its own system of parks, trails and recreational facilities for contemplative walks or invigorating exercise. There are also four public golf courses and a number of private courses, including the Grays Harbor Country Club that boasts a heated swimming pool for the summer months.

For those looking for a hunting experience, Grays Harbor is a designated location for many different breeds of animals. Waterfowl hunters will find freshwater wetlands dotting the county. As for big game or small game hunters, many miles of forest land occupy the rolling hills, providing habitat suitable for elk, deer, bear and many other species. Be sure to check the current Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations for season dates, special hunts, and closures.

Bicycling is another outdoor activity that takes visitors and locals on paths with beautiful views, wildlife, and birds. Enjoy the fresh air at an unhurried pace. Whether you like to pedal quiet country farm roads, bike along the shore, mountain bike on dirt trails or rent a bike and ride with a group out at Seabrook, you have it all in Grays Harbor.

Grays Harbor is known as a bird watcher’s paradise due to the region attracting birders from all over the world. The one-of-a-kind Grays Harbor Wildlife Refuge, located in Hoquiam’s estuary, is a 1,500 acre protected habitat encompassed by intertidal mudflats, salt marsh, and uplands. This distinctive area plays host to the Artic-bound shorebirds who travel over 15,000 miles yearly, making their stop at the refuge each spring. This monumental event attracts people from near and far looking to watch the migration spectacle and participate in field trips, lectures, workshops, and other activities. Many make the trip for the Shorebird Festival, some come in search of sea birds on the open sea via a boat trip out of Westport, while others take in birding in Ocean Shores. The coast of Grays Harbor is truly a bird watchers haven and is one of the top places in the U.S. to watch birds.

Water: Sport and Relaxation

For centuries, Grays Harbor waterways have been a source of industry, resources, and recreation. With direct access to the ocean, harbor, rivers, sloughs, creeks, and lakes, the County is a unique place to explore by water. The coast provides a variety of boating activities including deep-sea fishing, pleasure boating and gray whale watching in the spring. River fishing, sightseeing, motor boating, canoeing and kayaking trips on the many rivers and sloughs are popular recreational activities.

There are over 55 miles of open ocean beaches where you can spend relaxing day’s beachcombing or digging for clams. There are plenty of beach activities that are a bit more industrious, including hiking, horseback riding, and kite flying while the bay and the ocean provide opportunities for fishing, boating, and world-class cold water surfing.

Another place to visit in the County is Ocean Shores’ Damon Point, a protected peninsula managed as a state park that lies at the southern end of the peninsula. It is home to threatened snowy plovers in the summer and snowy owls in the winter. Whales and seals can often be seen off its shores while its beaches are a favorite for rock hounds seeking the perfect piece of agate.

Additionally, Grays Harbor’s beautiful ocean beaches are home to some of the best Razor Clam digging on the West Coast. Look no further than Grayland, Ocean City, Copalis Beach, Pacific Beach, and Moclips to harvest your limits of this unique coastal delicacy. Be sure to check the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife website for open dates for digging.

Several species of crab are found in Grays Harbor’s marine waters and along its shores, though only a few are large enough to be of commercial and sport interest. Two crab species, Dungeness and Red Rock, are harvested locally. Crabs are commonly harvested with crab pots but are also caught using ring nets, dip nets, and by wading in shallow water during spring and early summer.

Grays Harbor offers excellent fresh and saltwater fishing in all seasons. In the open ocean, you can fish for tuna, halibut, rockfish or salmon. If you don’t own a boat, there are many knowledgeable guides at the Westport Marina that are available for booking. The rivers are abundant with steelhead, trout, and salmon. Along the banks or in lakes you can find sturgeon, trout, bass, and others and if you try your hand at fly-fishing you can find trout and salmon. Seafood lovers are in for a treat in Grays Harbor.

From the foothills of the Olympic Mountains to the sandy shores of the Pacific Ocean, there are over 100 lakes, numerous large rivers, and countless streams to drop your line into. With mild winter temperatures and comfortable summer weather, every day is a new opportunity to explore the land and sea.