Ellis Cove Loop

The Ellis Cove Loop is one of the most beloved local hikes in Olympia, Washington — a peaceful walk through 314 acres of old-growth forest at Squaxin Park (formerly known as Priest Point Park) with beach access along the shores of Budd Inlet, the southernmost reach of Puget Sound. Just 5 minutes from downtown Olympia, the loop offers towering Douglas firs and western red cedars, sandy beach coves at low tide, and one of the best low-effort nature escapes in the South Sound region.

It's a year-round trail that shifts personality with the seasons — mushrooms and moss in fall, migrating birds in spring, and shady old-growth coolness in summer.

The Trail

• Distance: ~3 miles loop (depending on route)
• Elevation gain: Modest — some short climbs down to the beach and back up
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Route type: Loop
• Surface: Packed dirt with roots, some stairs and boardwalks near beach access points
• Time: 1-1.5 hours at a relaxed pace

The trail winds through mature Pacific Northwest forest, with the shoreline of Ellis Cove and Budd Inlet appearing at various points along the loop. Side trails drop down to sandy beach coves that are especially fun to explore at low tide. Interpretive signs along the way explain the ecology and the human history of the area.

The Setting

Squaxin Park is one of Olympia's crown jewels — a rare pocket of old-growth Pacific Northwest forest just minutes from downtown. Highlights:

• Massive Douglas firs and western red cedars — some over 200 years old
• Native plants — salmonberry, sword ferns, salal, Oregon grape, huckleberry
• Ellis Cove tidal beaches — accessible at low tide for beachcombing
• Views of Budd Inlet — the southernmost tip of Puget Sound
• Waterfront picnic areas at the main park entrance

Wildlife & Birding

Squaxin Park is one of the better birding spots in Olympia:

• Bald eagles — nest in the park; commonly seen year-round
• Great blue herons — fish the shoreline
• Belted kingfishers — dive along the cove
• Pileated woodpeckers — active in the old-growth
• Migratory songbirds in spring and fall
• Harbor seals occasionally hauled out on the beach
• Raccoons, black-tailed deer, and river otters — resident wildlife

A Note on the Park's Name

The park was officially renamed from Priest Point Park to Squaxin Park in 2022 to honor the Squaxin Island Tribe, whose ancestral lands include this area and the surrounding shores of Puget Sound. The original name referenced an 1850s Catholic mission on the site, but the Squaxin people have called this land home for thousands of years.

You may still see "Priest Point Park" in older signs, maps, and directions — it's the same place.

Hours

• Open daily, generally dawn to dusk (roughly 6 AM to 10 PM, seasonal variation)
• Trail access: Year-round
• Best time of day: Morning for wildlife and mist through the trees; evening for golden light in the canopy

Fees & Access

• FREE entry — no admission or parking fees
• Managed by the City of Olympia Parks & Recreation

Parking

• Main parking lot: 2600 East Bay Drive NE, Olympia, WA — near the waterfront picnic area
• Additional trailhead access at various points along East Bay Drive
• Parking fills on sunny weekends but rarely completely — arrive earlier for busier days
• Restrooms and drinking water at the main parking area

What to Bring

• Water — bring your own; potable water at the main parking area
• Sturdy walking shoes — trails have roots and can be muddy after rain
• Rain jacket — this is the Pacific Northwest; rain is always possible
• Layers — the forest can be significantly cooler than open areas
• Binoculars — for birds and waterfowl
• Dog leash — dogs must be on-leash throughout the park
• Tide chart — check the tide schedule if you want to explore the beach coves (low tide reveals more beach)
• Bug spray — mosquitoes in summer, especially near the water

Best Time to Visit

• Fall (September–November): Outstanding — mushrooms emerging, fall color in bigleaf maples, quieter trails, active bird migration
• Winter (December–February): Peaceful, moody, dramatic old-growth atmosphere; good for solitude
• Spring (March–May): Wildflowers, birds returning, salmonberry and huckleberry beginning to fruit
• Summer (June–August): Cool forest respite from heat, beach access at low tide, most crowded season

Who It's Best For

• Families with young kids — short distance, varied terrain, beach access
• Dog walkers — leash-friendly with plenty of shade and interest
• Trail runners — accessible loop for a quick session
• Birders and photographers — old-growth forest and waterfront habitat
• Downtown Olympia visitors — quickest true nature escape from the city
• Mushroom foragers in fall (with proper permits and knowledge)

Rules & Regulations

• Dogs must be on-leash at all times
• No fires
• Leave No Trace — pack out what you pack in
• No overnight camping
• No collecting plants, mushrooms, or artifacts without proper permits
• Stay on trails to protect fragile understory and forest ecology
• Respect indigenous history — this land holds deep cultural significance to the Squaxin Island Tribe

Combine It With

Squaxin Park is a great addition to a broader Olympia day:

• Downtown Olympia (~5 min) — restaurants, Olympia Farmers Market, Percival Landing waterfront
• Washington State Capitol Building — impressive dome and grounds, free tours
• Tumwater Falls Park (~10 min south) — dramatic waterfalls just south of Olympia
• Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (~25 min north) — one of the best birding sites in Western Washington
• Wolf Haven International (~25 min south) — nonprofit wolf sanctuary
• Capitol State Forest (~20 min west) — much larger forest area with additional hiking and mountain biking

Getting There

• From downtown Olympia: ~5 min drive north on East Bay Drive
• From Seattle: ~1 hour south on I-5
• From Tacoma: ~30-40 min south on I-5
• From Portland: ~2 hours north on I-5

Why It's Worth the Walk

For a hike that requires almost no drive from Olympia's downtown, Ellis Cove Loop delivers an outsized experience: genuine old-growth forest, Puget Sound beach access, historically and culturally significant land, and a rotating cast of wildlife. It's the kind of place locals visit weekly and out-of-towners rarely know about — which is exactly what makes it worth putting on your itinerary.