Grays Harbor County

Grays Harbor County is an administrative region in Washington covering roughly 2,200 square miles with rainforests, coastal areas, and parts of the Olympic Peninsula. Several rivers flow through the county, creating a landscape of forested hills and flat coastal plains.

The region was first established in 1854 as Chehalis County and renamed in 1915 after the bay discovered by fur trader Robert Gray in 1792. This name change reflected a shift in how people identified the area.

The county has deep ties to fishing and timber industries that shape how communities developed and what visitors see today. Native American peoples have lived here for centuries, and their presence remains woven into the landscape and local life.

The county is accessible via US Route 101 and several state highways, with many camping spots and lakes for outdoor activities. The best time to visit is during warmer months when roads are clear and outdoor activities are most enjoyable.

The area contains one of only two temperate rainforests in the Northern Hemisphere, a rare ecosystem where trees can grow to impressive ages. This forest type is found almost nowhere else in the northern world.

Location: Washington

Inception: April 14, 1854

Capital city: Montesano

Shares border with: Jefferson County, Pacific County, Mason County, Thurston County, Lewis County

Website: http://co.grays-harbor.wa.us

GPS coordinates: 47.15000,-123.83000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 19:46