Olympic Loop of the Great Washington State Birding Trail

Recreational Activities

The Great Washington State Birding Trail - Olympic Loop

Bird watching is becoming one of the leading outdoor recreation activities for Americans. In response to this, the National Audubon Society has taken the initiative to provide a high-quality, satisfying experience for the growing number of bird watchers throughout the nation. Eighteen states — Washington among them — have created birding trails. These “trails” are self-guided driving tours using custom maps with information on each site about habitat, access, bird species, best season(s), and amenities.

Lead by the efforts of Audubon Washington, the Olympic Loop of the Great Washington State Birding Trail begins from the quiet Nisqually River delta in south Puget Sound, leads west to wild Pacific breakers, follows rivers through moss-draped forests, and touches the tip of the contiguous U.S. at Cape Flattery. The route traces the Strait of Juan de Fuca east over the Olympic Peninsula, and wends south along the inland waters of Hood Canal.

The Olympic National Forest was an enthusiastic partner in this effort. Wildlife and Recreation staff on the Olympic National Forest were instrumental in securing funding to provide assistance in site review and the creation of the map and spend time with Audubon volunteers in making recommendations for bird sites. Over 120 sites were nominated along the 400-mile route, however in the end 54 sites – including four in the Olympic National Forest – made the final cut for inclusion in the Olympic Loop. Along the Hood Canal, Hamma Hamma Beaver Pond and Mt. Walker Viewpoint were selected as great locations to bird watch at inland forest beaver pond, and view birds flying in the forested canopy, and along the Pacific Coast side, the Lake Quinault Rainforest Trail and Campbell Tree Grove Campground were considered jewels for viewing and hearing birds of the temperate old growth rainforest.

Other partners in four Washington counties include the Olympic National Park, four national wildlife refuges, state and local parks, as well as the natural and cultural history of six Native American tribes: Jamestown S’Klallam, Makah, Quileute, Quinault, Skokomish, and Squaxin.
Maps are available at all Olympic National Forest visitor center’s.

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