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The Chehalis Wildlife Area is located on the floodplain of the Chehalis River approximately two miles southwest of Elma in Grays Harbor County. State highway 12 borders the area on the north. To the west the area is bordered by Hansen Creek and to the south by Vance Creek. The area is approximately 527 acres in size. A rock quarry is located on the northeast border of the wildlife area and agricultural land surrounds much of the rest of the area.
Most of the land owned by the Department is best characterized as open wetland, riparian shrub habitat, or meadow/field habitat. The habitats are interspersed and thus, allow for an abundance of species. Species known to exist in the area include the Olympic mudminnow, mink, shorebirds, wood duck, waterfowl, trumpeter swan, and osprey. Limited farming improves waterfowl forage and use of the area as does efforts to increase open water habitat.
Restroom facilities, a parking lot and a reader board occur on the area. Some trails also exist for hiking, but flooding, which is common in the area, may restrict access at times.
