There is nothing better for your health and mental well-being than spending time in nature. Whether under a canopy of giant evergreens with lush ferns underneath or feeling the salty breeze while listening to the ocean’s roar, you’ll feel recharged. But why choose? In Grays Harbor, you can experience both in the same day, with our incredible landscape going from lush rainforest to salty sea in under an hour! Get back to nature with these analog activities for adults in Grays Harbor.
Places to Walk in Grays Harbor
Lake Sylvia Trails
Lake Sylvia State Park is a beautiful spot to spend the day. Bring a picnic or a snack, and hit the walking trails! Here is a sample of the trails you will find at this favorite walking spot:
- Lower Lake Sylvia trail: 2.8-mile trail loops along the upper lake and the nearby river. Enjoy old-growth trees on this serene trail.
- Brownie trail: 1 mile long, connects to the Ridge Trail and loops around the Lake Trail for a total of two miles. In the spring and summer, the trail is particularly beautiful with a clover covering on either side of the path.
- Upper Syliva Creek Loop: Looking for a long walk? This trail connects to other small trails, making it around 11 miles! You will get some incredible views on this walk if you stop at the Brady/West Satsop area.
- Nevills Hill Trail: This one-mile trail affords you a lovely view of Montesano.
Lake Sylvia boosts many more trails, including an ADA trail, so feel free to wander, going where the path takes you. You never know what you will discover!
Friends Landing Trail
Friends Landing is another great place to stop and stretch your legs on the way to the Washington Coast. Their trail features:
- 1.7-mile paved and boardwalk loop trail that takes you around the scenic Lake Quigg.
- Come in Spring and Fall to see migratory birds, but any time of year, you might catch a glimpse of the local wildlife off the viewing decks.
- It’s a nice flat walk and perfect for birdwatchers too!
Lake Sylvia and Friends Landing have camping amenities too, making them a great overnight stop on your way to the Washington Coast.
Beachcombing
After getting your fill of our fairytale forests, head to the beaches for another fun analog activity: beachcombing! Here are some of the beaches most recommended for finding shells, agates, wrack and flotsam:
- Bottle Beach State Park (33 Ocosta Third Street, Aberdeen): This beach is known for large amount of sea glass. You can also find driftwood, agates, shells and much more.
- Grayland Beach (925 Cranberry Beach Road, Grayland): If you are looking for the elusive moon shells and periwinkles, this is your beach!
- Roosevelt Beach (3707 WA-109, Copalis Crossing) : Although this is a well-traveled beach, making finds a bit harder, beachcombers say after a storm you can find some treasures, including glass floats and bottles.
Don’t forget your Discover Pass for state parks!
Where to Eat in Grays Harbor After a Day in Nature
After a day spent in nature, it’s time to unwind! Grays Harbor has many wineries and breweries that are perfect for doing just that. Taste local craft beers and award-winning wines and spirits. Not to mention the fresh seafood!
Wynoochee River Winery
79 Wheeler Road, Montesano
The Wynoochee River Winery Tasting Room in Montesano has rotating local wines, so you can always get something new each time you visit! Should you fall in love with one, you can buy it by the bottle or case.
Snowbird Farm & Cidery
484 Old Monte Brady Road, Montesano
If you like hard cider, you should finish your day at the Snowbird Farm & Cidery! The setting alone is cool – a restored 1917 dairy barn on the Washington Historic Barn Registry. Bring a picnic and sample the ciders they have on tap. You can also fill your growlers and take them to go, maybe back to your campsite at Friend’s Landing or Lake Sylvia, or on to the beach, perfect for a fireside nip.
Blackbeard’s Brewing Company
700 W Ocean Avenue, Westport (main brewery)
2401 Westhaven Drive, Westport (taphouse)
A pirate’s treasure of handcrafted porters and hand-tossed pies awaits at Blackbeard’s Brewing Company. It’s a family-friendly haven where the crisp salt air meets the rich, malty soul of hand-poured craft.
Steam Donkey Brewing Co.
113 E Wishkah Street, Aberdeen
As Aberdeen’s first brewery in seven decades, this sanctuary pours liquid legends like the Kalaloch Kolsch. While they don’t serve food, outside food is allowed, so you can savor rotating elixirs while snacking on whatever treats you wish.
Bandana Brewing Co.
124 West Simpson Avenue, McCleary
A love letter to local hops, featuring nine rotating taps and gourmet, cauliflower-crust pizzas in the heart of McCleary, Bandana Brewing Co is a great choice!
Hoquiam Brewing Co.
526 8th Street, Hoquiam
Housed in a historic, rustic space featuring raw concrete and salvaged wood, Hoquiam Brewing Co. has been successfully pouring hyper-local craft beers since 2017. Their diverse, hyper-local tap list spans IPAs, lagers, stouts, ales, hard ciders, seltzers, and local wines. A scrumptious menu featuring fan-favorites like pork wings, green chile cheeseburgers (gluten-free buns available), and cod and chips.
Westport Winery Garden Resort
1 S Arbor Road, Aberdeen
Westport Winery is an award-winning destination where whimsical art gardens, a Mermaid Museum, and world-class vintages collide.
You can also explore Ocean’s Daughter Distillery, sipping one of their four signature whiskies amidst the grandeur of Washington’s 2022 Winery of the Year.
Pick your path, pick your campsite and then pick your drink to end the day! Check out the Visit Grays Harbor website to plan your trip!
Sponsored
