Smack dab in the middle of the Washington coast, near the beach town of Ocean Shores, you will find the lovely, unpretentious Ocean City State Park.

If you're looking for a rest stop or a long walk on the beach, this could be your park, but Ocean City is also a great place for birding, beach exploration and digging up tasty razor clams (in season).

The park backs North Bay Natural Preserve, a shallow bay with a network of wetland streams and mudflats that bring birds and wildlife to the sky and land. Just down the road, lively Ocean Shores presents shopping and dining opportunities, and an 18-hole golf course.

In most seasons, you can drive on the beach, so you won't have to schlep picnic food, chairs, day tents and bags all the way from the parking lot. Please observe the 25-mph speed limit, as it is a state highway.

Make your way back to the park for a colorful (or stormy) sunset and a breath of salty air, before curling up in your tent, trailer or RV.

PARK FEATURES
Ocean City State Park is a year-round, 257-acre camping park, featuring ocean beach, dunes and dense thickets of shore pine.

PICNIC & DAY-USE FACILITIES
The park provides four sheltered and 10 unsheltered picnic tables. The parking lot accommodates 100 vehicles. Nearby Griffiths-Priday State Park has a reservable picnic shelter for groups of up to 50 people. For reservations call the park at (360) 289-3553.

ACTIVITIES

WATER ACTIVITIES & FEATURES
Clamming
Fishing (freshwater)
Personal watercraft use

OTHER ACTIVITIES & FEATURES
Amphitheater
Beach exploration
Bird watching
Wildlife viewing

CAMPSITE INFORMATION
The park has 149 standard campsites, 29 full-hookup sites, one dump station, four restrooms and six showers. The hookup sites provide electricity, water and sewer. Maximum site length is 50 feet (limited availability).

Check-in time is 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time is 1 p.m.