Seashore Conservation Area

Seashore Conservation Area: Washington’s Pacific Coast Public Recreation Preserve

Seashore Conservation Area represents Washington’s commitment to preserving Pacific Ocean coastline for public recreational use, encompassing all state-owned lands between the ordinary high tide line and extreme low tide line along specific coastal segments from Cape Disappointment to the Makah Indian Reservation. Established by the Washington Legislature in 1967 and amended in 1969, this unique legal designation ensures that some of the last unspoiled seashore remaining in the United States remains dedicated to public recreation for generations to come.

Seashore Conservation Area Fast Facts

Park Overview

Seashore Conservation Area was created through legislative recognition that Pacific Ocean beaches from the Straits of Juan de Fuca to Cape Disappointment constitute some of the last unspoiled seashore remaining in the United States. The legal framework emerged from complex litigation and property rights issues, particularly the Hughes case resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967, which clarified ownership of accreted lands along the ocean shoreline.

South SHore

This 27-mile coastal segment extends from Cape Disappointment, where the Columbia River enters the Pacific Ocean, northward along the Long Beach Peninsula to Leadbetter Point.

• Cape Disappointment State Park
• Leadbetter State Park
• Pacific Pines State Park

Central Shore

The central 18-mile section begins near Tokeland on Willapa Bay and extends northward along State Route 105 to the South Jetty at Point Chehalis near Westport.

• Twin Harbors State Park
• Grayland Beach State Park
• Westport Light State Park

North Shore

The northern 22-mile section extends from Damon Point at Ocean Shores to the Makah Indian Reservation boundary, featuring numerous beach access points and coastal communities that provide convenient access to this highly developed stretch of coastline.

• Ocean City State Park

• Griffiths-Priday State Park

The area encompasses state-owned lands occupying the zone between ordinary high tide and extreme low tide lines, with some areas extending to the specially surveyed Seashore Conservation Line where applicable. This line was established through voluntary dedication agreements with private property owners, most notably on the Long Beach Peninsula where it was set approximately 100 feet east of the vegetation line and is subject to review every ten years beginning in 1980.

Activities & Recreation

Seashore Conservation Area is one of 24 Washington State Parks with geocaches hidden within its boundaries, adding a treasure-hunt element to your Pacific coast adventure.

Facilities & Amenities

Seashore Conservation Area operates as a legal designation rather than providing centralized facilities. Individual coastal parks and access points within the conservation area provide specific amenities including restrooms, parking, and interpretive facilities. The conservation area framework ensures that recreational and sanitary facilities are provided where needed while maintaining the area’s natural character.

The area is managed to preserve its present state where feasible and maintained in the best possible condition for public use, with all forms of public outdoor recreation permitted and encouraged unless specifically excluded or limited by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Camping & Accommodations

Camping accommodations within Seashore Conservation Area are available at individual state parks that fall within the conservation area boundaries, such as various coastal state parks. The conservation area designation itself does not provide camping but ensures that recreational access is preserved for public use.

Planning Your Visit

Access to Seashore Conservation Area occurs through individual state parks and beach access points within the designated coastal segments. A Discover Pass may be required depending on the specific access point used. The area operates under both the original Seashore Conservation Act provisions and subsequent Shoreline Management Act regulations, ensuring comprehensive protection while maintaining public recreational access.

The conservation area excludes any lands within established Indian reservation boundaries and focuses specifically on state-owned or controlled properties. Visitors should be aware that the area is subject to both state parks regulations and local shoreline management programs developed under the Shoreline Management Act of 1971.

What to Bring & Know

• Understanding that this is a legal conservation designation encompassing multiple coastal areas rather than a single park location
• Current regulations for specific activities like fishing and clamming which may vary by season and location
• Respect for the conservation purpose of maintaining unspoiled seashore character for public recreation
• Awareness of tide conditions and ocean safety considerations for all coastal activities
• Recognition that the area represents some of the last unspoiled Pacific seashore remaining in the United States

Final Word

Seashore Conservation Area stands as Washington’s innovative legal framework for preserving Pacific Coast recreational access, ensuring that generations of residents and visitors can continue experiencing these irreplaceable coastal landscapes in their natural state.

This park is part of the Explore Washington State Parks Directory—showcasing all of Washington’s State Parks from the rugged Pacific coast to the Cascade peaks. Whether you’re camping under old-growth forests, hiking scenic trails, or discovering local history, we’re highlighting the places where people connect with the state’s incredible natural and cultural heritage—all year long.