Leadbetter Point State Park, Nature preserve at Long Beach Peninsula, Washington.
Leadbetter Point State Park covers 4.8 square kilometers at the northern tip of the Long Beach Peninsula, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and Willapa Bay to the east. The park's dunes shift constantly with wind, currents and tides, and are partly covered by shore pine forest with salal and bearberry undergrowth; Sitka spruce dominates inland. Four trails total 18 kilometers.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission established this preserve in 1974 to protect the northern section of Long Beach Peninsula. This action reflected growing interest in safeguarding natural coastal areas during that era.
The Martha Jordan Birding Trail guides visitors through Hines Marsh, where waterfowl gather during migration seasons. Watching these birds in their natural setting is part of what makes this location meaningful to nature enthusiasts.
A Discover Pass is required to enter the park for hiking and bird watching. About half a mile of trails are accessible for people with mobility restrictions, making portions of the park easier to explore.
Biologists have counted over 100 bird species at Leadbetter Point, including brown pelicans, bald eagles, great egrets, snowy plovers, dunlins and Hutton's vireos. The dunes shift constantly with wind, currents and tides, and are partly covered by shore pine woods with salal and bearberry undergrowth.
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