Bayshore Preserve
The Bayshore Preserve is on a small land in Oakland Bay. It used to be a golf course but has been restored to its natural state by the Capitol Land Trust, Squaxin Island Tribe, and other partners. The preserve is crucial for wildlife and has cultural significance as it used to be a Squaxin Island Tribe village with a large longhouse.
A golf course was turned into a natural area by the Capitol Land Trust, Squaxin Island Tribe, and other partners. The area is now a wildlife habitat and culturally significant. It used to be a Squaxin Island Tribe village with a large longhouse. The land now has native grasses and removed golf course structures. The preserve has a variety of ecosystems, including a salmon creek, marshes, firs, oaks, prairie, and shoreline. There are 1.5 miles of paths on the 74-acre preserve.
Main Loop Trail: 0.8 mi triangular route with native grasses and giant Douglas firs/Garry oaks. Spur trails available.
Highlights: Great birdwatching, restored prairie, salmon creek and estuary
Distance: 1.5 miles of flat trails
Difficulty: Easy
Permits: Not required
Season: Open year-round
Notes: Stay on trails, respect closed areas, open from dawn to dusk, don't remove plants
Kid and Dog Friendly: Yes
Amenities: Restrooms
GPS Waypoint: N47 14.939 W123 02.655
Contact/Map: Capitollandtrust.org
Trailhead Directions: East on SR 3 from Shelton for 3.8 miles, trailhead on right across from Bayshore General Store. Limited parking; more at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Oakland Bay Recreational Area (Discover Pass needed).
Lookout Trail: 0.2 mi crossing Johns Creek, good for November chum runs.
Johns Creek Trail: 0.25 mi, great for salmon watching.
Johns Creek Estuary Trail: Short path to tidal flats at estuary.
Shoreline Overlook Trail: Offers views of Oakland Bay, leads to WDFWs Oakland Bay property for clam/oyster collection (with permits, check beach safety).
Beach with an expansive view of the Olympics; excellent photography destination. Lots of ripe berries in late summer. The northeastern boundary of state tidelands is marked with tires and posts installed by the neighboring private tideland owner.
Spectacular views of the Mt. Skokomish and the Brothers ranges; interpretive signage. Trail passes Hamma Hamma Cabin built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (1930s).
Trail follows park boundary, circles campground, access to beach below eroded bluffs. NO fee.
Waterfall with wading pond reflections are visible from trailhead. Follow a wooded trail that runs above the falls and continues up a gentle ravine, then return on same route. Parking at end of Sixth St, beyond Laurel. Falls are visible from street.
Trail follows extensive concrete fish ladder. In summer, wade among the small waterfalls created by the ladder. Educational kiosk, covered shelter, and railroad trestle span the creek.
Popular forested exercise course for joggers and walkers with wide, well maintained trails. Parking available
Well-known for its campground and excellent fishing and shell fishing opportunities, the park also contains nearly five miles of hiking trails. An excellent 3.6 mile loop can be made by following the Maple Valley and Steam Donkey Tails.
Murhut Falls are tucked away in a narrow, green valley. They stayed hidden until a new, simple trail was made. This waterfall has two levels and drops 130 feet. Now, it's a popular spot for hikers on the Olympic Peninsula. The trail begins on an old logging road, where the falls were found due to past logging.
A great alternative to the oft-crowded Lena Lakes, the Elk Lakes are a perfect destination for hikers, young and old alike and those just seeking a little solace. The hike described here is the longer way following a remnant of a trail that once traversed the entire Jefferson Creek Valley. If your intent is to get to the lakes, then begin your hike from the upper (main) trailhead.
The trail starts off easy on an old road, crossing a flowing creek. Then it gets steep quickly with sharp turns, climbing nonstop through switchbacks. Pass by salal and young trees, with some big ancient firs still standing from past fires.
Hoodsport Trail Park is a small park located between Hood Canal and Lake Cushman. It offers about two miles of wooded trails with loops and connections. The trail system can be a bit confusing, which adds to the adventure for hikers also exploring Olympic National Park and Forest nearby.
Spider Lake is a narrow lake in a valley with old, tall trees. The trail around the lake used to be longer with ancient trees, but most were cut down. Now, the trail is shorter but has been fixed up, and the trees on the hills are growing back.
Schafer State Park is located on the East Fork Satsop River in the far southwest of Mason County. Despite being away from cities, it was active starting in 1872 when the Schafer Family from Wisconsin settled here. Their sons Peter, Albert, and Hubert began logging in the 1890s.
This park was once a farm by Lake Isabella in Washington. It has over 4 miles of trails through pastures, orchards, and woods. You’ll see deer around the 182-acre property. Delight Park Road cuts through the middle of the park.
The Bayshore Preserve is on a small land in Oakland Bay. It used to be a golf course but has been restored to its natural state by the Capitol Land Trust, Squaxin Island Tribe, and other partners. The preserve is crucial for wildlife and has cultural significance as it used to be a Squaxin Island Tribe village with a large longhouse.
McMicken Island in Case Inlet can be reached without a bridge or ferry. During low tide, a sandbar appears, connecting the island to the mainland. You can hike the island's half-mile trail, picnic in a small meadow, and explore its rocky intertidal zone. But watch out for rising tides to avoid getting stuck.
Known for its expansive beach on Hood Canal, which boasts some of Washington's warmest salt water. Visitors mainly head to the beach or campground, so the park's trails are often peaceful. Find the trail start near a group of rhododendron bushes. The path runs alongside Twanoh Creek, leading to a delta on the beach. It eventually reaches a crossroads.
Explore Theler Wetlands at Hood Canal's edge, where the Union River meets the fjord, providing a diverse wildlife habitat. The preserve, alongside a nearby Washington DFW area, safeguards hundreds of acres supporting various animals. Walk on bridges and boardwalks to see many birds and mammals, such as eagles, ospreys, herons, swallows, deer, coyotes, and otters, along the three-mile trail.
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