Ocean Shores activity guide
Oyhut Wildlife Area
Bring binoculars and slow down: coastal habitat and birdwatching at the south end of Ocean Shores.
Plan your outing
- Best for
- Birdwatching, photography, and a quiet nature outing
- Allow
- Allow time for a relaxed visit; choose a pace that suits your group
- Best time
- Check current visitor information before heading out
- Plan ahead
- Check parking-pass requirements and closures; there is no restroom
Make wildlife the focus
At the southern end of the peninsula, Oyhut offers a quieter kind of coastal outing. The 686-acre unit belongs to the Johns River Wildlife Area and protects habitat used by waterfowl and nesting western snowy plovers. Come to watch and listen rather than cover miles.
Bring binoculars, not a packed itinerary
Set aside time to look for waterfowl and other birds, photograph the coastal landscape, and enjoy a slower pace. Binoculars or a zoom lens let you appreciate wildlife without approaching it. The nearby Oyhut Bay guide also suggests looking for deer and birds of prey; sightings are a possibility, not a promise.
This is a wildlife area, not a developed recreation center. Keep your outing flexible and respect the habitat around you.
Find your way from Tidal House
WDFW lists access off Point Brown Avenue and provides directions to its Tonquin Avenue SW access point. Use that official access link for navigation; the map below shows the area’s general position.
Before you go
Explore the south end
Three different ways to experience the coast, all around the southern tip of Ocean Shores.
The Tidal House logo marks your home base farther north on the peninsula.
- Damon Point
The sandy point extending southeast into Grays Harbor. - Oyhut Wildlife Area
Coastal habitat between the residential streets and the bay. - North Jetty
The southwest tip, facing the Pacific and harbor entrance.
Markers show approximate areas, not trailheads or walking routes. Check each guide and posted signs for current access.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.- Parking: WDFW lists an undeveloped parking area. Bring a Discover Pass or an eligible WDFW Vehicle Access Pass.
- Facilities: There is no restroom, so plan a stop before arriving and bring drinking water.
- Nesting closures: Public entry into the snowy plover nesting area is prohibited. Respect closure signs and observe wildlife from outside protected areas.
- Shared use: Waterfowl hunting also takes place here. Check current advisories before your visit.
- Day visits: Overnight parking and camping are prohibited.
For a separate dog outing, see our dog-friendly beach guide. Do not treat the wildlife area as an off-leash beach.
Check current visitor information.
Return to our Things to Do guide to plan the rest of your day.
Plan with current sources
Hours, prices, access, and regulations can change. Confirm the details for your visit with these sources.
Make Tidal House your home base