Leadbetter Point State Park

Leadbetter Point State Park is a 4.8 square kilometer state park in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located northwest of Oysterville on the northern tip of the Long Beach Peninsula and is adjacent to the Willapa Bay. The Washington State Route 103 ends at the park entrance. The park borders the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, which protects the actual northern tip of the peninsula and a large part of Willapa Bay.

Geology

The sand dunes at the northern tip of the peninsula constantly shifting through the change of wind, ocean currents and tides.

Flora and Fauna

The State Park together with the adjacent Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, especially in spring and autumn, an important resting place for migratory birds. Tens of thousands of sea birds then populate the tidal flats and salt marshes. Biologists are alone at Leadbetter Point over 100 species of birds such as brown pelicans, bald eagles, egrets, snowy plover, meadow beach runner or Huttonvireos. The dunes are partly covered with a forest of coastal pine trees and dense undergrowth of Shallon bill berries and bearberry, inland Sitka spruce dominate the forest. The forest is a habitat for mammals such as elk, black bears and raccoons.

Tourist use

There are a total of 18 four -kilometer-long hiking trails. Camping is prohibited. During the breeding season of the Kentish Plover March to September a part of the park is not open to the public.