We love to hike! This is the first in a series of caches highlighting our favorite places to hike in the Olympia area. We like out of the way spots of natural beauty where we can spend our Sundays or summer afternoons. All in this series are trails which are easily accessible, not too long, and are easy for young people to do.
The first in the series is at Woodard Bay. PLEASE STAY ON THE TRAIL. This cache is a small container, easily accessible from the trail itself, so no bushwacking or wandering off the path is needed. Please respect the plant and wildlife (lots of slugs!) and do not tread off the trail, as excessive trampling of plant life may cause the cache to be removed. The cache is located near the start of the trail which winds through the woods but we encourage you to follow all the way to the end, where it rejoins the paved path. The paved path ends at a beautiful spot to see seals, eagles, and (at dusk) bats. There are picnic tables and a pit toilet at the end so it is also a good place to take a break before heading back. There is also a spot to put in a canoe or kayak in summer off the parking lot, if you want to combine your caching with some water sports.
Cell phone service is very spotty at Woodard Bay, so it is best if you download the coordinates or the map before heading out.
NO DOGS OR BIKES ARE ALLOWED AT WOODARD. Please respect the posted guidelines. This is a wildlife refuge. Discover Pass required.
ENJOY!
**Update Jan 1, 2025: Coordinates have been corrected and updated.