Summer Hiking in Olympia Through a Coastal Forest on the Evergreen Geoduck Trail
Hiking is all about experiencing the natural world around you, and what could be more natural than a tranquil stroll through a coastal forest to the stunning Puget Sound?
Hiking the Evergreen Geoduck Trail
*By Krista Carper, originally posted on Thurston Talk 08/02/22
The seaside woods of Washington offer the best of both worlds when it comes to summer hiking. There’s a trail hike on The Evergreen State College campus that is a perfect way to cool off in the forest with a payoff of views of Puget Sound. The Evergreen Geoduck Trail in Olympia is a relatively easy summer hike through the mature forest, with scenic views at the beach of Eld Inlet.
A favorite of students, families, birdwatchers and trail runners, Evergreen Geoduck Trail is doable in an hour or less, but you’ll want to spend some time at the water’s edge, so plan to devote at least a couple of hours there. There’s only a slight elevation on the trail, so skip the heavy hiking boots, but keep in mind that if the tide is out, conditions can be muddy at the beach. Open year-round, the summer season provides the best circumstances to avoid mud on the trail. This two-mile roundtrip hike is ideal for kids and leashed dogs, but keep in mind the path is dirt, so it’s probably not suitable for those who use wheelchairs or young ones in strollers.
![Hikers step over a fallen log along the Evergreen Geoduck Trail near Olympia.](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=ea296328823f8759d7a951a7f0c2a295 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8414112b0cd6285b007de12887332f2e 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=20a5c392ee55d302c2b5321a0b6e2f4e 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=9875da3c0dbaca280ff8d8031af65ea6 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=40746d6ef736bfbbe03e9bba8200bb67 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=097d60a24623057517baed8512460fc2 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=9a71d789c204b925b6f257c5ad7d9584 1920w)
There are several ways to reach the beach, but the most direct route is on the E1 Beach Trail. The path to the beach is downhill, and about halfway down, you’ll cross a bridge over Barking Dog Creek rushing below. The shady forest and cool ocean breezes are a great escape from the summer’s heat. Evergreen Geoduck offers a place to slow down and enjoy the solitude in a way only the ocean’s waters can provide. Pack a picnic or catch a show-stopping sunset on the rocky shore for an epic adventure close to home.
![Three hikers walk down the gentle decline of the Evergreen Geoduck Trail in Olympia](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=15b61029c5f2420ec01d643313298cdf 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=9f45e013cefa84921a0da1cd6ad113ed 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=c560946c465756c4d23c5606da4d6ae6 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=c441979332904f6bbd50eb515a6b778c 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=e07745d92376e15e94e7c8e628714f47 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=b353ca4be254f5ebf17343b3ab8b2762 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=0856b44ecea27dbf45fe12420d525967 1920w)
Recommended by parents as a kid-friendly trail, even the youngest hiker will be enchanted with the towering trees, root wads to climb and poking around in the sand searching for small crabs, shells and stones. Reportedly, there are fairies in the forest, so have the little ones look for their houses tucked away in the green ferns and tree trunks.There are many trails to add to your trip if you want to make it a longer hike. Stroll the shoreline of Eld Inlet to Snyder Cove or spend more time in the woodland area among the many paths under the forest’s canopy.
There’s a whole system of trails at The Evergreen State College, including the East Campus or Organic Farm Trails. For more information, download the map. The College asks that you, “Keep Evergreen green, practice friendly trail use, please remember to scoop the poop, pack out what you pack in, smile at strangers and enjoy the green!”
![A woman looks at a map of the Evergreen State College trails.](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=4bc44b13a1361f0cbf8a96f5708f7416 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=7e2f50bc50bcba7f02958d464737bf92 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=c8d56b3702e9fd47beed42d3bea311b7 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=f3ed69dd2f398264a5ddbf88bafd0b79 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=13c7fd1ba879df1a83aa9eec916ffc29 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=1ba8965e739414ac617e98077baa7f71 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=4b76b68d7d51e990ff2ea244695c5c8f 1920w)
Wildlife at Evergreen Geoduck Trail
Traversing through the stands of cedar and Douglas fir, there are plenty of opportunities to observe the area’s wildlife, and Evergreen Geoduck Trail is a birders’ dreamland. Find deer and other woodland critters nestled among the trees. In the forest, birds sing their songs from high up. At the shoreline, find waterfowl hoping for a good catch, along with eagles. Keep an eye out for seals and otters playing in the water, and if you are fortunate, you can even spot whales. Look for jellyfish during the day and if the conditions are right, find tiny bioluminescent creatures glowing in the water at night. And yes, the famed massive burrowing clams, Geoducks, do live in the waters of Eld Inlet.
![A couple enjoys walking along the water in the South Puget Sound](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-04.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=f7ac948702e13b92a410e57c2a83a3f9 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-04.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=81b88d79bab3139c22e17481d70883cf 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-04.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=9df3f94df05e5fe7ca8a460b409f2b80 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-04.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=e0e1fe017e016133cd3148301c24d72f 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-04.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=0acf33e17661a5eaaa7f9ddd416f375e 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-04.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=d655db30d13a7304beec9cc252b19836 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/hiking-evergreen-geoduck-trail-hero-04.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=6e7862ac3019c0f770a2b57ae9529cd8 1920w)
Getting to Evergreen Geoduck Trail
From I-5, use exit 104 for Highway 101 north and continue about three miles. Exit toward Mud Bay Road, following signs for The Evergreen State College. Continue onto Evergreen Parkway NW to Overhulse Place, then turn left onto Driftwood Road NW and proceed to Parking Lot F. Parking is free on the weekends and just $3 for two hours during weekdays.
The diverse landscape of Olympia offers outdoor opportunities galore. From the forests to the sound, there’s a multitude of ways to discover nature, get outside and spend summertime exploring. Take a hike on the Evergreen Geoduck Trail in Olympia for a quick getaway to the quiet beach, or spend a splendid day there, savoring the summer’s sweetness.
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