Oyhut Wildlife Recreation Area
Ocean Shores, WA
Oyhut Wildlife Recreation Area is the bay-facing counterpart to Ocean Shores' open-ocean beach, reached through a wooded trail off Tonquin Avenue rather than a drive-on approach. It's mudflat and marsh more than sand, and one of the better shorebird feeding grounds on this stretch of Grays Harbor.
A genuine quiet alternative to the main Ocean Shores beach for birders, but it's mudflat and marsh more than a classic sand beach, which limits the everyday appeal.
How we score beachesA Discover Pass or WDFW access pass is required here since it's managed as a wildlife area, not a state park. Locals avoid bringing dogs during shorebird migration out of respect for the birds, even though leashed dogs are technically allowed.
Unimproved parking off Tonquin Avenue SW; no restrooms on site.
A short wooded trail leads to the beach from the parking area, unpaved and uneven underfoot.
Spring and fall shorebird migration are the draw for birders. Summer is calmer for a plain walk.
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