Washington Trails Association Park of the Month: Damon Point State Park

Location:  Olympic Coast
Distance:  4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:  none
High Point: 10 feet
Maps:  USGS Point Brown & Westport

Everyone is going gaga over snowy owls. This arctic bird has made a rare foray south this winter, and Damon Point State Park is the place to find them in Washington right now. The owls are diurnal and have perched themselves on driftwood to scan the beach area for lunch and sometimes to take a snooze.

Damon Point State Park is one of a number of little-known state parks along the Pacific Coast. Located just south of Ocean Shores, the park is on a spit that connects to Protection Island in Grays Harbor. A 4-mile long beachside trail circumnavigates the island, offering sunny-day views of Mount Rainier, the Olympics and Westport on the other side of the harbor. The snowy owl is just one of many birds that visitors will have an opportunity to see. Bring your binoculars, telephoto lenses and tripods to capture the owls, bald eagles and scores of other shorebirds.

More Information:
Read: Damon Point Trip Reports
Get the guidebook: Day Hiking: Olympic Peninsula

Driving Directions: From Hoquiam, drive SR 109 west to SR 115, the turn-off to Ocean Shores. Go south on SR 115 until you reach Point Brown Avenue in Ocean Shores. Proceed south on Point Brown Avenue about 4.5 miles. Just past the marina, turn left into park entrance. Discover Pass required.