Potlatch State Park

IBA (Important Birding Area)

Directions: From Shelton follow US 101 north for 12.0 miles to state park day use area on your right (just past Milepost 335).  

Ownership: Washington State Parks
Trail Distance: 1.1 miles of shoreline to walk 
Difficulty: birdwatch from day use area or moderately easy shoreline walking during low tide 
Fees/Permits: Discover Pass
Notes: Kid-friendly, dogs on leash, restrooms, water, camping and picnicking areas available

Potlatch State Park consists of 84 acres on Hood Canal at its bend just north of the wildlife-rich Skokomish River Delta. The park consists of a large campground, small wooded area, and more than a mile of shoreline on the canal. The birdwatching is excellent here from the park’s day use area and all along the canal. The delta which is located on the adjacent Skokomish Tribe’s reservation consists of estuary, riparian forests and extensive wetlands. It hosts large populations of several avian species including a great blue heron rookery.

Any season is good here for scoping birds, but winter is exceptionally good. Look for bald eagles, gadwalls, grebes, green-winged teals, buffleheads, canvasbacks, goldeneyes, loons, marbled murrelets, mergansers, northern shovelers, ospreys, peregrine falcons, dunlins, and scoters. In the spring watch for long-billed dowitchers, western sandpipers, and Wilson’s snipes.

The park also contains a short trail that runs along a small creek in a forested setting. Take it to look for crossbills, thrushes and woodpeckers.