This is a state park with excellent seabird viewing.  Plan to look in all directions. In fall, winter and spring you can often find a nice variety of grebes, sea ducks, wintering dabbling ducks, loons, and gulls. In late summer and fall look for Parasitic Jaegers (or possibly another jaeger) harassig gulls or terns.  Brown Pelican, a rare species for Mason County, has been seen here rarely.  Alcids including Marbled Murrelet, PIgeon Guillemot, and rarely Common Murre have been seen here. All three loons, Western, Red-necked, Horned, Eared Grebes, all three scoters, Harlequin Duck, mergansers, and dabbling ducks are possible. LIsten and look for Red Crossbill and other passerines in the trees of the park. 

Loons, Grebes, alcids, sea and dabbling ducks, gulls, and terns are all available on a seawatch here. 

Potlach State Park lies along beautiful Hood Canal, 40 miles from Olympia. This unassuming park has a welcoming campground in a thicket of trees, and its forested creek was recently restored for salmon health. Local elk herds roam through the area, and pileated woodpeckers are busy with their beaks, tapping out rhythms on the trees.

And then there's the beach. Before you head to Potlach, be sure to pack pails, duck-boots, crab pots, boats and the right licenses. For shellfish harvesting, this park is truly where it's at! Whether it's oysters, crabs or clams that whet your appetite, you'll find them here.

At high tide or on windy days, visitors may also opt to wind surf, fly kites or kick back and watch others create a colorful show. Featuring clear, often calm waters, Potlach is a favorite with divers and kayakers too. Seasonal Junior Ranger and kids' educational programs make the park a magnet for families. Hikers, take note: some of the lushest hiking in the region can be found within a half hour's drive, on four neighboring rivers.

Plan an Olympic Peninsula adventure, and enjoy the fun and uniquely northwest experience that Potlatch has to offer.