Miller Peninsula State Park
Directions: From Sequim head east 10 miles on US 101 turning left onto Diamond Point Road. Continue for 1.2 miles turning left into trailhead parking area.
Ownership: Washington State Parks
Trail Distance: 7.5 miles roundtrip to Thompson Spit. More than 20 miles of trails in park.
Difficulty: moderate
Fees/Permits: Discover Pass
Notes: dogs on leash. Beach difficult to walk in high tides. Restrooms available. Trails shared by horses and mountain bikes. State park development underway, expect trail system to change.
Miller Peninsula State Park consist of 2800 acres of undeveloped beaches, bluffs, and forestland on the Strait of Juan de Fuca between Sequim Bay and Discovery Bay. This large property is in the process of being developed into a major state park. But for now it lacks amenities and its trails can be rough. However there are opportunities to hike and birdwatch along a fairly wild stretch of coastline.
Reach Thompson Spit by hiking the Diamond Point Loop Trail north for one mile. Then walk the gated old Fireweed Road about one mile to a junction. Continue right on the Fireweed Road Trail ignoring side trails and come to the Beach Trail. Reach the beach at 3.0 miles. Turn right and hike to Thompson Spit and its bird-rich lagoon.
Tufted puffins | photo Craig RomanoWatch for ancient murrelets, long-tailed ducks, bald eagles, buffleheads, geese, great blue herons, black oystercatchers and harlequin ducks. Protection Island lies just offshore. A restricted to the public national wildlife refuge, the island is home to 70% of Puget Sound’s nesting seabirds. Look for its resident rhinoceros auklets, pigeon guillemots, tufted puffins and double-crested cormorants.
