Damon Point Hike - Ocean Shores

Hiking the beaches of Ocean Shores is boring, all Washingtonians admit this. The answer to a walk on the beach when visiting Ocean Shores is to do a hike on Damon Point to Protection Island. It is located in the southeastern corner of the Ocean Shores Peninsula. Damon Point is a huge sand spit going out into Grays Harbor. The currents and weather have made some dramatic changes, enough to wipe out a paved road that once ran the length of the peninsula. There was a State Park but they gave up on it when the access road washed out. So, the land was returned back to the Department of Natural Resources. Parking is simple, right off Marine View Drive. Within a minute, you are walking on a beach that is much more interesting than anything around. If you walk around the entire spit, you get about 4 miles of hiking. You can also find the old paved road in the center of Protection Island. Distant views are good of the Olympic Mountains, Grays Harbor, Westport and Mount Rainier. Damon Point is also popular for wildlife viewing. People report spotting bald eagles, snowy owls, snowy plovers, peregrine falcons, harbor seals, sea lions, caspian terns, and brown pelicans.

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. The entrance is just past a big abandoned hotel and RV campground. Park off the road on the wide grassy area. Go left (east) past a port-a-potty to reach the spit to Damon Point.

Damon Point Hike - Ocean Shores

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