North Bay Natural Area Preserve

Color photo of North Bay Natural Area Preserve
This 1,215 acre preserve contains one of the highest quality coastal freshwater and sphagnum bog systems remaining in Washington. The site contains five wetland plant communities that are in excellent condition and supports the state-candidate Makah copper butterfly species and the state sensitive Olympic mudminnow. The preserve also supports priority habitat features including shorebird and waterfowl concentration areas, harbor seal haul out and pupping areas, and Roosevelt elk and peregrine falcon wintering areas.

Features Protected: Makah copper, Olympic mudminnow, shore pine-western redcedar/sweetgale/sphagnum plant community, western redcedar-western hemlock/skunk cabbage plant community, and seven wetland ecosystems (including cold springs, salt-marshes of varying salinity, a bog and a freshwater wetland)
Ecoregion: Northwest Coast (Grays Harbor County)

Science, Research and Monitoring

hemlock/skunk cabbage

Public and private universities, other research institutions and individual researchers may contact DNR to propose a research project at the site. If you are interested in pursuing research at North Bay NAP, please contact David Wilderman, natural areas ecologist, at david.wilderman@dnr.wa.gov

Environmental Education and Public Access

Currently no formal educational programs are available at North Bay NAP. The site is not ADA accessible and facilities are not available. For more information, contact the DNR Pacific Cascade Region natural areas manager.