Johns River State Wildlife Area

This short, ADA-accessible trail offers a different experience at high tide and low, since it’s in a surge plain that’s affected by tidal action.

This very short trail in the Johns River area is primarily access for disabled hunters. It’s a flat 0.57 miles to a photo/hunting blind at the end of the paved trail. A sign at the blind states that both wildlife viewing and hunting are permissible from the blind, but in season, hunting takes precedent.

From the parking area, which requires a Discover Pass, walk along the paved roadway. Johns River, to your left, is subject to the tides in nearby Grays Harbor, and depending on when you visit, you might enjoy a full flood, or the more pungent ebb tide.

Chief viewing consists of shoreline grasses and a variety of birds, but you might see deer or even an elk if you’re lucky (and quiet). A few big trees line the way – they can grow quite large quite quickly out here where it’s wet more than 230 days of the year.

No matter the weather when you visit; high or low tide, rainy or clear, this makes for an interesting, short walk to the hunting blind, where you can dry off if it’s wet (it usually is) and look for wildlife before heading back.