Ocean City State Park

Ocean City State Park: Premier Pacific Ocean Camping with Beach Access and Seasonal Shellfishing Adventures

Ocean City State Park delivers the ultimate Pacific Ocean camping experience in Ocean City, featuring 170 acres of pristine beach, rolling dunes, and dense thickets of shore pine just a 15-minute walk from any campsite to the ocean shoreline. This year-round camping destination offers 178 total campsites including full hookup sites, promising visitors exceptional opportunities for seasonal shellfishing, bird watching, surfing, horseback riding, and winter storm watching along one of Washington’s most accessible ocean beaches with comprehensive interpretive programs highlighting the unique marine environment.

Ocean City State Park Fast Facts

Ocean City State park Overview

Ocean City State Park encompasses Washington’s premier ocean beach camping environment, where four distinct camping loops positioned among shore pine and coastal dunes provide easy access to miles of Pacific Ocean shoreline within a maximum 15-minute walk from any campsite. The park’s unique character combines the accessibility of developed camping facilities with the wild beauty of Washington’s outer coast, featuring rolling dunes, dense thickets of shore pine, and direct beach access for activities ranging from gentle beachcombing to exhilarating winter storm watching. Interpretive signs throughout the park and seasonal access to the Ocean Shores Interpretive Center educate visitors about the marine environment, flora, and fauna that make this coastal ecosystem exceptional.

This ocean camping destination serves families and outdoor enthusiasts seeking comprehensive coastal recreation with modern amenities, offering everything from comfortable RV camping with full hookups to primitive tent sites surrounded by shore pine forest. The park’s design maximizes beach access while protecting the fragile coastal dune ecosystem through careful trail placement and educational programs that help visitors understand and preserve this unique marine environment.

Activities & Recreation

Facilities & Amenities

Ocean City State Park provides comprehensive camping and day-use facilities designed to support extended ocean beach recreation. The park features 178 total campsites across four loops, including 149 standard tent and RV sites plus 29 full hookup sites with electrical, water, and sewer connections located in sites 138-156 and 164-173. Essential services include four restrooms with six shower facilities, one dump station, and both sheltered and unsheltered picnic areas with four sheltered and 10 unsheltered picnic tables. Two designated group campsites accommodate 20-40 people and 20-30 people respectively, both requiring minimum 20-person occupancy. Park amenities support coastal activities with interpretive signage throughout and seasonal access to educational programs at the nearby Ocean Shores Interpretive Center.

Camping & Accommodations

The park offers diverse camping experiences with 178 sites available for year-round reservations across four distinct loops, each providing unique access to beach and forest environments. Sites 138-156 and 164-173 feature full hookups with electrical, water, and sewer connections, while all other sites provide standard camping with essential services. Two group camping areas serve larger gatherings, with Group Camp 1 accommodating 20-40 people and Group Camp 2 serving 20-30 people. All campsites maintain the park’s promise of maximum 15-minute walk to ocean beach access. Camping registration occurs at the welcome center or pay station, with check-in at 2:30 p.m. and check-out at 1 p.m.

Planning Your Visit to Ocean City State Park

Ocean City State Park operates year-round with seasonal hours from 6:30 a.m. to dusk (summer) and 8 a.m. to dusk (winter), requiring advance reservations particularly during peak summer months and storm watching season. A Discover Pass is required for day-use access, available as annual passes for $30 or day passes for $10. The park’s location on State Route 115 provides direct access from Highway 109 and the Aberdeen-Hoquiam area. Visitors should check seasonal shellfishing regulations and tide schedules, as the park’s coastal location offers exceptional opportunities during appropriate seasons and tidal conditions.

What to Bring & Know

• Shellfish harvesting gear and current Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife licenses for seasonal clam digging and crabbing activities
• Weather-appropriate clothing including rain gear, as coastal conditions can change rapidly with ocean weather patterns
• Beach recreation equipment such as kites, surfboards, or fishing gear for taking advantage of the accessible Pacific Ocean shoreline
• Camera equipment for capturing dramatic ocean storm scenes during winter months and diverse bird species throughout migration seasons
• Awareness of tide schedules and ocean safety, as beach access provides direct exposure to Pacific Ocean conditions and seasonal variations

Final Word

Ocean City State Park offers Washington’s ultimate Pacific Ocean camping adventure, where 178 campsites provide easy beach access for shellfishing, storm watching, and coastal recreation year-round.