Priest Point Park - Olympia, Washington -Natural Park with Great Views of the State Capitol

Priest Point Park is located at 2600 East Bay Drive NE in Olympia, Washington near Ellis Cove. The park is made up of 314 acres of pure nature with one mile of saltwater shoreline. Just north of the downtown area the park can be found. Due to its close proximity to downtown, visitors can catch a glimpse of what the area looked like prior to settlement. The park is filled with dark green woods, moss dripping trees, and blankets of growth that has existed for thousands of years. It is listed on the Olympia Heritage Register and open to the public.

The park is well maintained and offers winding trails throughout the park on both sides of East Bay Drive. There are interpretive markers showing the areas that the traditional Indians used along the Ellis Cove Trail. The trails are a great way to explore and get some exercise all in one walk. Frequent joggers and bicycle enthusiasts can be seen take a ride or run along the trails.

Ellis Cove is nestled in the park and the trails provide access to further parkland. Scenic views of downtown Olympia and the State Capitol buildings are located throughout and visitors are recommended to bring their cameras and walking shoes.

The park contains a wide variety of animals in their natural habitat. Visitors have reported seeing the likes of seals, coast moles, northern flying squirrels, fox, deer, and numerous birds like woodpeckers, chickadees, gulls, and herons. Mallards and cormorants have also been spotted. Marine invertebrates include shore crabs, several species of clams and shrimp, snails, and mussels. Rough skinned newts and red-legged frogs have also been seen in the park. In the water are pile perch, dog fish, starry flounder, herring, and both Coho and Chum salmon.

The park offers amenities such as picnic areas, picnic tables, and picnic shelters. There are three shelters available in Priest Point Park and are offered at reasonable rates but reservations should be made in advance to ensure availability. Priest Point Park shelter one is located in the rose garden. Visitors may reserve just the shelter or the shelter and rose garden combined. Prices for the shelter and rose garden start at $60 for 0-4 hours. That price is cut in half if reserving the shelter only. Priest Park shelters two and three are smaller and a bit more primitive. The cost for reserving those shelters runs just $20 for 0-4 hours. Unreserved shelters in the parks are available on a first come first serve basis. The covered shelters include water, electricity, and either barbecues or wood stoves depending on the location.

Also located in the park are playground equipment for the children and basketball courts for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a pick-up game. Public restrooms are located throughout the park and situated in convenient areas. The park contains something for the entire family to enjoy during all seasons of the year.