Paddling Duck Lake in Ocean Shores on the Washington Coast

Looking for more outdoor adventures near Ocean Shores?
Head north to Griffiths-Priday State Park to hike the Copalis River Spit Trail.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Parking is free at both North Bay Park and Chinook City Park.
• Both parks have port-a-potties, small playgrounds, and low, accessible wooden docks.
• If you don’t have your own boat, you can rent inflatable kayaks, electric boats, and even hydrobikes from Ocean Shores Boat House!

SWIM

It was cool and overcast during our visit (typical Ocean Shores weather), so we didn’t swim in Duck Lake. Swimming is allowed, but please note that there are sometimes toxic algae blooms that can make swimming unsafe. If you see algae in the water, don’t swim. Check locally during your visit if you’re unsure.

PADDLE

Did you know Ocean Shores has 23 miles of fresh waterways? There’s surprisingly a lot to explore here! One of the main waterways is Duck Lake, a great place for beginners to paddle. The water is typically calm (although it can be windy and chilly — you are on the Washington Coast, after all), and the low docks make it easy to get in and out of the water. Tucked away in the residential part of town, it’s quiet and off the beaten path. Parking is free.

While I don’t believe that motor boats are prohibited, we didn’t see any during our visits. Boat traffic was light, and most people were in kayaks or small electric motor boats. There’s a speed limit of five miles per hour when boats are within fifty feet of the shoreline or bridges, and because the lake is narrow, this effectively keeps the speeds low across much of the lake. West of Duck Lake, a series of canals laces the neighborhood. Paddling is also allowed on the canals, where the five mile per hour speed limit is in effect everywhere.

HIGHLIGHTS

Paddling Duck Lake gives you the chance to see a different side of Ocean Shores. The lakeshore is lined with quiet houses and greenery, with lovely islands and bridges.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

This was our first time using our inflatable kayaks, and it was an adventure! To keep them engaged, I let them choose where to go and when it was time to head back to shore. On our second outing, eating snacks under one of the wooden bridges was a big hit!

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

Ocean Shores is a long-standing coastal getaway for Washington State residents. If you’re here, you probably came for the beach, which stretches for miles on the west side of town. We also like to visit Pacific Paradise Park for mini golf, bumper boats, or, when the weather’s bad, the indoor arcade. At the southern tip of Ocean Shores lies Damon Point, a great place to hike and bird watch.

Just north of town is Ocean City State Park, which offers camping and easy beach access. A short drive further north is Griffiths-Priday State Park, where you can take a beautiful wild hike to the beach on the low bluffs along the Copalis River. The beach here sees far fewer visitors than in Ocean Shores. Past Griffiths-Priday, small towns like Seabrook and Moclips offer a picturesque alternative to Ocean Shores’ strip-mall style main drag.

When the kids and I had an opportunity to spend a few days in Ocean Shores with their grandparents, one thing immediately came to my mind: can you kayak in Ocean Shores? I was more than a little eager to take our brand new inflatable kayaks out on the water for the first time. As luck would have it, Ocean Shores is a great place for beginners to kayak, with miles of calm, freshwater canals and meandering lakes. On previous trips to Ocean Shores I’d completely missed this side of town, and was intrigued by these hidden waterways.

On our first outing, we drove to Chinook City Park on the southeast side of Duck Lake. The park consists of an open grassy field with a simple dock at the water’s edge. There’s also a small playground and port-a-potty. My father-in-law joined us for our inaugural run and together, with J’s help, we unloaded the kayaks and gear, pumped them up, and were on our way.

We didn’t have an agenda; our only goal was to explore. J was drawn to the thickly wooded island directly across from the park, so we headed over to check it out. Hoping to find a landing where we could pull the kayaks ashore, we circled the island. Alas, the coastline was impenetrable, so shrouded in greenery that we couldn’t even see the land. In some spots yellow iris bloomed, the only break from the intense green.

As we came around the island, we took a floating snack break before heading back to shore. The boats stayed upright, no one fell overboard, and we packed up with minimal fuss. Our first trip was a success!

A couple days later, the kids and I headed back to Duck Lake, this time to North Bay Park on the northeast side of the lake. Similar to Chinook City Park, North Bay was a simple open field with a couple of low docks, a small playground, and a port-a-potty. It offers a bit more parking and a tennis court as well.

J and I got right to work pumping up the kayak and organizing our gear. We pushed off with J in the bow, T sitting cozily in the middle between my feet, and me in the stern. In the distance, the boys spotted a wooden bridge that crossed a narrow arm of the lake. This, they decided, was our ultimate destination.

It was harder paddling than the last time, but only because the distance was greater. The water in Duck Lake is generally calm, but sometimes a gust of wind picked up and we found ourselves paddling against it. But we were determined, and eventually made it to our goal. Much like the islands, the bank beneath the bridge was a riot of lush grass, which made it a challenge to pull the boat ashore. We stepped into the shallow water, and managed to lift one end of the boat securely onto the bank.

Now on to the most critical task of our journey: snack time! The boys excitedly pulled out the snacks, and we sat under the bridge as we ate, listening to cars bump overhead when someone drove across the bridge, unseen but not unheard.

Once they ate their fill, J and T were eager to get back on the water and head to the dock. The wind picked up and and light sprinkles of rain danced on the surface of the water. The air turned chilly. J was a bit tired by this point, but kept going, while I did all I could to straighten our course under the influence of the wind.

We made it back without capsizing — another success! The sun even started to come out, just a tiny bit, and the rain stopped. After bringing our gear ashore, I let the kids play on the playground while I packed. Next time we visit, I’ve no doubt that more paddling will be on the agenda again.