The Humptulips-Grass Creek Unit is located in North Bay at the confluence of the Humptulips River, Grass Creek, and Grays Harbor. No maintained trails exist, and the best access is by boat or by the adventuring brush buster. This area is a popular waterfowl hunting and fishing site and has excellent birding opportunities. The unit is managed for tidal channel and estuary preservation in North Bay, salmon recovery, and waterfowl habitat.
The Humptulips-Grass Creek Unit is located in North Bay at the confluence of the Humptulips River, Grass Creek, and Grays Harbor in Grays Harbor County. The unit can be accessed from a gravel road, just before the Humptulips River, off of Highway 109 north of Hoquiam.
The Humptulips-Grass Creek Unit is within the Grays Harbor watershed. Adjacent lands include private residential, agriculture, and conservation lands.
This unit is part of the Johns River Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 642
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:
- Improved parking
- Restrooms
- Boat launch
Recreation and access advisories
- Overnight parking and camping is prohibited
- No maintained trails
- Best access is by boat
Hunting
This area is popular for waterfowl hunting.
Fishing
This area is a popular fishing site.
Wildlife viewing
This area has excellent birding opportunities.
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
This unit is at the mouth of the Humptulips River estuary--important habitat for salmon and waterfowl.
Conservation goals
- Manage for waterfowl and species diversity
- Protect and restore estuary and freshwater wetlands
Land stewardship
The Humptulips-Grass Creek Unit was established for tidal channel and estuary preservation in North Bay, salmon recovery, and waterfowl habitat.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1974 and 2009.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Private Grantor | Private Donation |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Boating Facilities Program |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Salmon Recovery Fund |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | State Bond Account |
Management planning
2006 Olympic-Willapa Hills 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.