Twanoh State Park

IBA (Important Birding Area)

Directions: From Shelton follow US 101 north for 7 miles. Turn right on the Purdy Cutoff and continue for 2.7 miles. Then bear right onto SR 106 and proceed 10.5 miles to state park and day use parking on your left. 
Ownership: Washington State Parks
Trail Distance: 2.5 miles of trails and 0.6 mile of beach 
Difficulty: easy 
Fees/Permits: Discover Pass
Notes: Kid-friendly, dogs on leash, restrooms, water, picnic area and camping available.

Twanoh State Park protects 182 acres of mature forest and shoreline on Hood Canal. The name Twanoh is derived from the Skokomish People, meaning “gathering place.” And this green refuge is a perfect place for people and wildlife—especially birds to gather. The park retains many of its Depression-era CCC structures. And it contains 2.5 miles of trails that traverse cedar groves, clusters of rhododendrons, and a lush emerald ravine cradling a salmon-spawning creek. The forested trails are a good place to look for red crossbills and brown creepers.

The more than a half mile of beach on Hood Canal however is where the good birdwatching is at. The canal’s waters here are much warmer than to the west and north attracting large populations of waterfowl. Look for buffleheads, common and Barrow’s goldeneyes, common loons, western and red-necked grebes, ruddy ducks, scoters, marbled murrelets, and greater scaups.