Lyre River trail: Conservation works!

Lyre Conservation Area has a forest trail that leads to the sea. Photo by Patrick Downs, North Olympic Land Trust

This 2 mile round trip walk through preserved forest to the Lyre River estuary and Salish Sea is heartwarming, not just for the nature you’ll see, but for the successful conservation efforts that have preserved this land. Thanks to these efforts, we all can enjoy this treasure!

Purchased in 2014 by the North Olympic Land Trust with support from many community partners, the permanently conserved area features an upland forest, beachfront, tidal flats, eagles, salmon and many migratory birds. It’s a one-mile walk on a nicely graded path from the small parking lot. Every time I’ve visited, eagles were chattering in the woods. Beautiful!

Location: About 17 miles from Port Angeles. Drive 3 miles west from Port Angeles on Hwy 101, then turn right onto Hwy 112. Drive approximately 14 miles. Just past Joyce, turn right on Reynold Rd and drive less than a half mile to a small parking area.

After you park, walk north on the road until you come to two locked gates.  To get to the beach you will want to turn left at the two gates and walk west down the road for about 1 mile.

You can also access the Lyre River trail from Lyre River Campground, a small, free Department of Natural Resources campground tucked in the forest. Note- usually full in summer.

Let’s protect this place!

Check in with the North Olympic Land Trust