The harbor seal haul-out on the historic trestle is one of the largest in South Puget Sound.
The site was historically used as a timber export facility by the Weyerhaeuser Company before being converted to a conservation area.
The trestle remains standing despite its industrial past because the creosote-treated pilings provide a unique, predator-free platform for seals.
The conservation area protects a rare remnant of salt marsh habitat essential for juvenile salmon migration.
The site hosts a significant Great Blue heron rookery, where birds nest in the treetops during the spring and summer months.
DNR manages the site under the Natural Area Preserve program to ensure minimal human impact on ecological processes.
Woodard Bay Conservation Area is a 800-acre protected site on the Henderson Inlet in Olympia, Washington, managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. The area is most notable for its repurposed logging infrastructure, specifically the massive historic railway trestle that now serves as a primary haul-out site for harbor seals. The site protects critical aquatic habitat, including eelgrass beds and salmon spawning grounds. Visitors follow a gravel trail through second-growth Douglas fir and cedar forests to reach the water's edge. The area is a designated wildlife sanctuary intended to protect sensitive species, including bald eagles and Great Blue herons. Public access is strictly confined to designated trails to prevent disturbance of the seal colony and nesting birds.
The designated viewpoint along the main trail that overlooks the Henderson Inlet and the historic railway trestle.
Bring binoculars for viewing the seal haul-outs and heron nesting sites from the shoreline.
Stay strictly on the marked gravel trails, as off-trail hiking is prohibited to protect sensitive habitat.
Visit during low tide to see the maximum amount of exposed shoreline and increase your chances of spotting marine life.
Do not attempt to access the water or the abandoned trestle structure, as both are restricted for wildlife protection.
Open daily from dawn to dusk; no overnight camping permitted.
No dogs, no bicycles, no horses, and no swimming allowed; keep noise levels low to avoid startling the seals and birds.
