Pysht River Conservation Area
The Pysht Conservation Area is located on the traditional and ancestral lands of the indigenous people who have lived on the North Olympic Peninsula since time immemorial, who continue to lead in environmental stewardship. Read our full Land Acknowledgement here.
The Pysht River Conservation Area is a 74-acre property along the Pysht River in western Clallam County. North Olympic Land Trust purchased and restored the property with help from the Makah Tribe, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, North Olympic Peninsula Lead Entity, and the Salmon Recovery Funding Board.
Features: This area is open to the public for passive recreational activities such as bird watching and fishing. Dogs on leash.
- Picnic table
- No trash cans (please pack out waste!)
- No restrooms
Conservation Areas are open during COVID-19. Please read and follow these important guidelines for Trail Users.
Pysht River Habitat Protection and Restoration
In 2009, North Olympic Land Trust started implementing a multi-phase vision to conserve portions of the lower 10 miles of the Pysht River as intact habitat for native fish and wildlife. As part of this process, North Olympic Land Trust acquired two properties, which together we call the Pysht River Conservation Area. The Conservation Area, located 8.7 miles from the mouth of the Pysht River, protects 74 acres of land, including 2/3 mile of the Pysht River, 1,500 feet of Green Creek and four wetlands. The Pysht River is used by coho salmon, cutthroat trout, and steelhead, and is vital for the recovering productivity of chinook and chum salmon.
The Makah Tribe led restoration efforts by removing the dilapidated structures, eradicating non-native invasive vegetation, and re-planting over 7,000 native trees with the help of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Further restoration was completed in partnership with the Clallam Conservation District and Merrill & Ring, and another 4,700 native trees and shrubs were planted. Finally, dedicated volunteers constructed a public parking area and built a fence to restrict vehicle access to the newly-replanted pastures. Ongoing work includes removal of non-native invasive plant species.
Thank you to North Olympic Peninsula Lead Entity and to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board for making this project possible.
Pysht River Brochure
Driving Directions:
From Port Angeles, drive approximately 3 miles west on Hwy 101, then turn right onto Hwy 112. Drive approximately 37 miles. The parking area is on the left at milepost 24.
Notice – March 28th, 2022: State Route 112 at milepost 32 near Jim Creek is closed in both directions until further notice due to a landslide which began Nov. 15, 2021. Construction to reopen the highway began March 28, 2022 and is expected to last 8 weeks. Travelers will continue to detour via US 101 and SR 113 around the closure. More information about this project: https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/sr-112-jim-creek-west-emergency-repair
Visitors to the Pysht River Conservation Area will need to access the property via Highway 101, SR 113, and SR 112 at this time.
All photos are contributed by Lindsey Aspelund.