Hiking in Westport

Pump Your Heart and Calm Your Mind with Great Hikes In and Around Westport

The Westport coastline is stunning! Dune grasses blow gently in the wind. Trails twist and turn before opening up to a wide sandy beach and glorious Pacific Ocean views. Whales breach on the horizon asWashington’s tallest lighthouse peeks through the coastal trees.  

Nestled between two of Washington’s most picturesque and walkable state parks, Westport offers plenty of hikes to get your heart pumping and calm your mind. Visit Westport Light State Park and Twin Harbors State Park for several scenic and accessible trails, or just head to the shoreline and walk in either direction.

Health Benefits of Beach Walking

Did you know that Westport offers over 18 miles of beaches for walking? That’s more than anywhere else along the Washington coast!

Research shows that the benefits of walking on sand for both body and mind are undeniable. Walking on an uneven and shifting surface like sand improves muscle strength, can burn up to 2.5 times more calories and is easier on your joints. Anyone who has ever enjoyed a walk on the beach on a sunny day can also attest to the healthy dose of vitamin D it provides, along with stress reduction and connection to nature. Plus, your dogs will love it!

Westport Light State Park

Westport Light State Park is a 560-acre day-use park with 1,215 feet of shoreline, making it a popular destination for surfing, beach exploration, saltwater fishing, crabbing, clamming and beach walks. The park is within minutes of the City of Westport and its marina, boat launch, maritime history museum and other attractions. 

Westport Light / Lighthouse Trail

• Length: 2 - 4.5 miles

• Dogs allowed on leash

• Parking Pass / Entry Fee - Discover Pass

• Map

Known to locals as the “Dunes Trail,” the Westport Light Trail is the perfect hike to enjoy the dunes of the southwest Washington coast, view a historic lighthouse, and enjoy stunning views of the Pacific Ocean—all from a paved ADA-accessible trail. Stop at all three viewpoints along the way to learn more about the local flora and fauna on the interpretive panels. At about the halfway point, the trail crosses into Westhaven State Park. The most scenic route is to return the way you came, where you can see the 107-foot Grays Harbor Lighthouse. If you have time, the lighthouse makes a great add-on to your hike. Tours are conducted regularly by the Westport-South Beach Historical Society. (WTA Pro Tip: Make it a 5-mile round trip and return to Float 14.)

A bar-tailed godwit at Bottle Beach State Park, on the shore of Grays Harbor, perhaps blown off course on its migration from Alaska to New Zealand. (Tim Boyer)

Bottle Beach State Park - ADA Accessible

• Length: 1.3 miles RT

• Dogs are not allowed

• Parking Pass / Entry Fee - Discover Pass

• Map

Calling all bird lovers! Just 10 minutes from Westport, on the edge of the town of Ocosta, 

Bottle Beach State Park sits on the tide flats of southern Grays Harbor. Each spring, the park hosts over a million migratory shorebirds and seabirds, including the occasional raptor, who has been known to catch a quick meal at Bottle Beach. The 6,000 feet of shoreline and ADA accessible 1.3 mile trail make for stunning views of the coast while you’re keeping an eye out for the numerous species of birds that fill the air. 

Johns River State Wildlife Area

Less than 10 miles from Westport, you’ll find the Johns River State Wildlife Area with a variety of family-friendly trails. Managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the area covers more than 6,700 acres near the Pacific Coast.

Johns River Trails  (Johns River State Wildlife Area)

• Length: .5 miles to 1.5 miles

• During hunting season, hunting takes precedence 

• Parking Pass / Entry Fee - Discover Pass

These trails follow Johns River, providing stunning views of shoreline grasses, various birds and other wildlife such as elk or deer. The main paved trail is about ½ mile, however additional trails like Johns River Dike Trail are approximately a mile. One of the most special features of this hike is that the scenery changes with Grays Harbor tides, so it offers a different experience at high tide versus low tide. 

Cemetery Trail (Johns River State Wildlife Area trailhead)

• Length: Approx. 1.5 miles

• Watch for a side path that breaks off into the woods marked with flagging or a painted piece of lumber 

• Parking Pass / Entry Fee - Discover Pass

Near Westport, the “Cemetery Trail” is a hike that leads to the historic Johns River Cemetery, a small graveyard hidden on a wooden knoll. The trail offers scenic views of the Johns River Estuary and a mix of young forests. The path to the cemetery branches off the main track about 1.5 miles in and has been marked with flagging and/or a painted piece of lumber. Although the trailhead has been described as rough, you will find a gravel road beyond the initial gate. There are approximately 20 graves, some less obvious than others and include the grave sites of some of Grays Harbor’s pioneering families.

Twin Harbors State Park

Twin Harbors State Park is a 225-acre recreation area on the Pacific coast, located in Grays Harbor County, just two miles south of Westport. Explore trails that wind through grassy sand dunes down to the shore. The park’s crowning feature is its miles of Pacific Ocean beach access, where you’ll find trails and a forested campground.

Shifting Sands Nature Trail (Twin Harbors State Park)

• Length: 0.5 miles out-and-back or 2.4 miles RT

• Dogs allowed on leash

• Parking Pass / Entry Fee - Discover Pass

Located in Twin Harbors State Park near Westport, the Shifting Sands Nature Trail offers a scenic and accessible route through the park’s coastal forest and dunes. It’s a popular choice for Westport visitors seeking a family-friendly hike with great views of the Washington coast. The trail is typically well-maintained and suitable for a day hike.

No matter which Westport, WA hike you choose, you’re guaranteed beautiful ocean views or lush nature trails to feed your soul and energize your body until the next time!