The Chimacum Unit provides beach and estuary access and maintained trails that connect to county park trails. Habitat types include conifer and deciduous riparian forest, and estuary.This unit is managed for restoration and protection of stream, riparian, and estuarine habitat on Chimacum Creek.
The Chimacum Unit is located about 2.5 miles north of Chimacum and 6 miles south of Port Townsend in Jefferson County. The unit can be accessed from Moore Street, off of 4th Steet, off of Irondale Road south of the Jefferson County airport.
The Chimacum Unit is located in the Puget Sound watershed.
This unit is part of the North Olympic Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 624
Getting there
Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Public facility information:
- Parking area
- Restrooms
Recreation and access advisories
- Overnight parking and camping are prohibited.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes conifer forest, deciduous riparian forest, and estuary, offering opportunities to view a variet of wildlife.
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Other recreational opportunities
This unit offers walk-in trail access to Irondale beach and views of the Port Townsend Bay estuary.
Maintained trails, that connect to Irondale Beach County Park trails, offer hiking opportunities.
Conservation
Habitat types on this unit include conifer and deciduous riparian forest, and estuary.
Special habitats and species
Nearshore estuarine habitat provides critical habitat for several listed species, including the threatened Puget Sound chinook salmon, Hood Canal/Strait of Juan de Fuca summer chum salmon, and bull trout.
Conservation goals
- Protect restore stream, estuarine and riparian habitat
- Restore nearshore habitat
Nearshore estuarine habitat provides critical habitat for several listed species, including the threatened Puget Sound chinook salmon, Hood Canal/Strait of Juan de Fuca summer chum salmon, and bull trout.
- Protect restore stream, estuarine and riparian habitat
- Restore nearshore habitat
Land stewardship
The Chimacum Unit was purchased for stream, riparian, and estuarine protection, and restoration opportunities on Irondale and Chimacum Creeks.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 2000 and 2009.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Endangered Species Act Section 6 Program |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Salmon Recovery Fund |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2010 North Olympic Wildlife Area Management Plan
Every eight to 10 years, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments. In 2014, WDFW began the process of updating existing plans, many of which were written in 2006. The new plans are being developed with significant public participation and input.