Dungeness Recreation Area was a highlight of our recent visit to the Olympic Peninsula. This crown jewel of Clallam County Parks is located in the crest of the Peninsula with views of the Olympic Mountains to the south, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island to the north. To the east, Mount Baker and other peaks of the Cascade Range are visible, and to the west is Port Angeles.
The sixty-six spacious camp sites have fire rings and picnic tables. There are no utility hook-up sites. Many of the sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A separate bicycle camping area and a reservable group camp are also available.
Plentiful equestrian and pedestrian trails meander throughout the park. One of our favorites was a bluff trail extending the length of the camp. Another easy half-mile walk led us through the forest to an overlook above Dungeness Spit.
A hiking trail also connects with the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and open daily from sunrise to sunset. The trail continues down a steep hill to the Spit which becomes a 5-mile beach walk to the lighthouse. The refuge protects critical habitat for wildlife and provides viewing opportunities for visitors.
Dungeness Recreation Area can be used as a base camp with four day-use County parks within a five-minute drive, or the town of Sequim is a short ten-minute drive.
A lovely advantage of the area is that the local rainshadow creates an environment where it rains only eighteen inches a year with 254 mostly or partly sunny days. During the winter there are five times as many sunny days and a quarter of heavy overcast days compared to Seattle.
For a great destination filled with a variety of activities, it’s hard to beat the Olympic Peninsula for enjoying nature at its finest.
To learn more and to make reservations, visit: http://www.clallam.net/Parks/Dungeness.html
Mary: Interesting place – very accommodating. What do they require for social distancing? What is the history behind The Spit name?
Judith, when we were there it was before COVID19, but I’m sure they require social distancing and masks, since it’s a public place. I never questioned the history of the name, but here it is according to Wikipedia: “The low sandy point of land, which from its great resemblance to Dungeness in the British Channel, I called New Dungeness.”
Sound like a great place for a family reunion. I’m going to suggest our Washingtonian relatives consider it. Thanks!
It would be a great place, Irene. Lots of wonderful walks and spectacular views.