Beach Exploration
You can discover rocky tide pools filled with starfish, wide sandy beaches with gorgeous views, king tides and dramatic waves and amazing wildlife at Washington's state parks.
What makes Washington beaches unique, you ask? Washington beaches are anything but ordinary. Depending on where you go, you can discover rocky tide pools filled with starfish, wide sandy beaches with gorgeous views, king tides and dramatic waves and amazing wildlife.
Tide pooling
Tide pooling, at places like Rosario Tide Pools at Deception Pass State Park, is one of the most exciting ways to explore Washington’s beaches. During low tides, rocky shorelines reveal miniature ecosystems filled with starfish, crabs, mussels, sea anemones, urchins and other marine life.
Practicing respectful tide pooling use means minimizing your impact on delicate, fragile intertidal ecosystems. Key rules include walking only on bare rock, never removing or handling marine life and leaving rocks exactly as you find them.
Follow these essential guidelines to protect coastal habitats:
Watch your step
Walk slowly and deliberately on bare rock or sand to avoid crushing hidden creatures or slipping on algae.
Look but don't touch
Observe animals in their natural environment without handling them. Human oils and pressure can severely stress or harm marine life and forcibly removing them can cause injury or death.
Leave rocks as you found them
Do not turn over rocks. The undersides of rocks are homes to sensitive organisms that will perish if exposed to the sun or relocated.
Never collect souvenirs
Taking animals, shells, rocks or seaweeds is highly destructive.
Shellfishing
Those who would like to clam dig on Washington state park beaches must have a Washington state shellfish license. For current season openings and beach location visit WDFW website.
Shellfish harvesters are urged to check the Department of Health Washington shellfish safety map for health-related closures and advisories on the same day they plan to harvest.
For all license information, visit the WDFW licensing webpage or call (360) 902-2464.
Metal detecting
The beaches can provide a great location for metal detecting. Metal detecting is permitted at more than 30 state parks throughout Washington.
Metal detecting areas vary in each park. Some parks allow detecting in developed public-use areas and unoccupied campsites, while other parks allow detecting in specific areas only. Learn more about metal detecting at a Washington state park.
Protecting our beach environment
Our beaches are shared spaces, and every visitor plays a role in protecting them. Beach stewardship means leaving the shoreline better than you found it – packing out trash, respecting wildlife and beach closures, staying on designated trails and being mindful of fragile dunes and coastal habitats. Small actions like picking up a piece of litter, keeping dogs under control and giving nesting birds and marine life plenty of space, helps preserve these special places for future generations.
Learn more about beach protecting our beach environment and volunteering at future beach cleanup events.
Wildlife and marine life along the Pacific Coast & Salish Sea
Washington’s shorelines support an incredible diversity of wildlife and marine life. Coastal waters provide habitat for orcas, seals, seas lions, salmon, otters, shorebirds (like our tiny Snowy Plovers) and countless species that live in tide pools and nearshore habitats. Rocky shores, sandy beaches, eelgrass beds, mudflats, dune grasses and offshore islands play an important role in supporting an interconnected ecosystem.
Visitors exploring Washington’s coast and Salish Sea can help protect these special places by respecting wildlife, keeping a safe distance from animals, staying out of closed designated nesting areas and leaving natural habitats where they found them.
If you see any wildlife on the beach, please stay at least 100 yards (300 feet) away from them and keep dogs leashed. Don’t assume that the animal needs to be rescued, but if it seems to be injured or entangled, contact NOAA Fisheries Marine Mammal Hotline at 1-866-767-6114.
Rules & safety
Pets at the beach
Pet must be on a leash in Washington state parks unless you are in a designated off-leash area. If you are unsure where off-leash areas are allowed, ask park staff before letting your pet off-leash.
Always clean up after your pet, including your horses, and keep them under control at all times. Do not allow pets to chase or harass wildlife or disturb other beach visitors. If you stick to our few simple principles, your pet could become a Washington State Park BARK Ranger.
If you’re riding a horse on the beach always yield to pedestrians and stay hypervigilant to moving vehicles. Ride at a walk or lead your horse through busy areas, stay on hard-packed sand and avoid clam beds.
Please note that additional local pet ordinances may apply.
Water safety
Even on warm, sunny days, Washington's water remains cold. Rip currents, waves and cold-water shock can be dangerous, especially for children. Stay close to the shore, keep an eye on little ones and always wear a properly fitted life jacket.
Learn more about cold water safety and how to find the right fitting life jacket and make sure you are aware of tsunami evacuation procedures.
Low tides
Visitors should be careful walking too far out onto the beaches in the Puget Sound. Low tide can expose large mudflats that may look safe to walk on, but the mud can be soft enough to trap your feet making it difficult or impossible to get out on your own. As the tide comes back in, these areas can be quickly become dangerous. Stay on firm sand and be aware of changing tide conditions before exploring the beach.
Driving on the beach
The Pacific Coastal beaches, also known as the Seashore Conservation Area, are considered a public highway. Driving -- and riding Wind Powered Vehicles - on some beaches is allowed year-round, but some sections are only open seasonally and others are closed all year. The maximum speed limit is 25 miles per hour and remember, pedestrians and horses always have the right of way.
Drivers should stay on hard-packed sand to help protect the beach and avoid getting stuck. Before driving, check the tides schedule, as rising tides can quickly trap vehicles and lead to a tow. Always respect beach closures, which protect sensitive wildlife and habitat. Never park in the vehicle travel lane or at the beach approach, as these areas need to remain clear for others entering and exiting the beach, and emergency vehicles. If you would rather avoid driving on the beach altogether, park in a designated parking area and walk onto the beach instead.
Learn more about driving on the beach and the Seashore Conservation Area.
Popular parks with Beach Exploration
Getting started with Beach Exploration
Explore year-round
Beach exploration isn’t just for summer. Each season offers something different.
Spring: Tide pools and migrating birds
Summer: Long beach days and sunsets
Fall: Moody coastal scenery and fewer crowds
Winter: Storm watching and dramatic waves
No matter the season, Washington’s state park beaches invite visitors to slow down, explore and experience the beauty of the coast.
What to bring for a beach adventure
Washington beaches can change quickly with weather and tides, so it helps to come prepared.
Consider bringing waterproof layers or a windbreaker, comfortable walking shoes or water shoes, sunscreen and sunglasses, a hat, a reusable water bottle, binoculars for wildlife viewing and most importantly, a life jacket.
Map & visitor guide
Use the Find a Park Page to see maps and visitor guides for a specific park.
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