Griffiths-Priday Ocean State Park

Griffiths-Priday State Park has secrets. For whatever reason, most of the park is undeveloped and not described on the State Park literature or shown on their map. This is probably due to the area being part of Copalis National Wildlife Refuge and Copalis Spit natural area, a haven for migratory birds. To much encouragement of the masses to visit could affect this sensitive area. Take Benner Road to the parking and picnic area. Now walk to the end of Benner Road where it dead-ends at Connor Creek. A hiking trail will be on the right that follows the east side of the creek. Walk this long trail until eventually the trail hits the beach and you are able to walk along side Connor Creek until the creek empties out into the ocean. You now have a remote beach for exploring. This elusive beach goes another 1.3 miles north before stopping at the Copalis River. Back at the end of Benner Road, you can go left following sandy trails to a pedestrian bridge that will take you over Connor Creek and access a smaller section of beach (see map). This would be a faster route to the beach. Either way, you wont be near your car if you visit this State Park. Back at your car, in the parking lot, there is some grassy playfields, a restroom and some picnic areas, some with windscreens. There is no camping here but the park is very close to Ocean City State Park or Pacific Beach State Park. The park is open year round for day use.