The Twin Rivers Unit is made up of forests, wetlands and river/tidal estuary, including access to more than 2,800 feet of critical shoreline along the Strait of Juan De Fuca, an important migratory corridor for salmon. It also includes 14,000 feet of riparian habitat adjacent to the West Twin River and its tributaries, one of the most important coho and steelhead systems in the area. This unit also serves to protect nearshore habitat, including eelgrass beds and surf smelt spawning beaches.
This property is a former mine site, where silica and alumina were mined for use in cement. The mining and subsequent earth movement has resulted in steep cliff faces on the portion of the unit north of Highway 112.
Recreation at this area includes hiking, fishing, beachcombing, hunting, mushroom foraging, and wildlife viewing.
This property is located on the north Olympic Peninsula, west of Twin Beach along Highway 112. A little less than half of the unit sits north of Highway 112, with the other portion of the property located south of the highway and bordered to the east by the West Twin River.
The uplands of this unit are owned by WDFW to the mean high tide line; the shoreline below the mean high tide line is owned by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
This unit is part of the North Olympic Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 603
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 (off Highway 112)
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- Overnight parking and camping are prohibited.
- Previous landslides have caused a number of exposed cliffs on the north side of the unit. Be cautious of these steep cliff edges.
- Fossil hunting is prohibited on WDFW-managed lands.
Hunting
Hunting for deer, elk, bear, and waterfowl is allowed at this unit when applicable seasons are open. See the hunting regulations webpage for more information on when seasons are open for different species.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes forests, wetlands and river/tidal estuary, offering opportunities to view a variety 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.
Conservation
Habitat types found at this unit include deciduous and riparian forest, marsh wetland, forested wetland, and mixed shrub.
Special habitats and species
There are abundant game species habitats and common species habitats present, including deer, elk, bear, cougar, and waterfowl. There is also documented use of the unit by coho salmon, summer and winter steelhead, fall chum, surf smelt, and pacific lamprey. West Twin River is part of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Intensively Monitored Watershed study sites, which have been in place since 2004. Fish biologists study juvenile salmonids every summer along this river.
Conservation goals
- Protect critical riparian habitat
- Retain diversity of fish and wildlife on the landscape - estuary, wetlands, riverine, associated shorelines, forest, and meadows
There are abundant game species habitats and common species habitats present, including deer, elk, bear, cougar, and waterfowl. There is also documented use of the unit by coho salmon, summer and winter steelhead, fall chum, surf smelt, and pacific lamprey. West Twin River is part of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Intensively Monitored Watershed study sites, which have been in place since 2004. Fish biologists study juvenile salmonids every summer along this river.
- Protect critical riparian habitat
- Retain diversity of fish and wildlife on the landscape - estuary, wetlands, riverine, associated shorelines, forest, and meadows
Land stewardship
This unit was acquired to protect riparian habitat along the West Twin River and its tributaries, as well as to protect nearshore habitat along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, including eelgrass beds and surf smelt spawning beaches.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased in 2024.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| 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.