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The headquarters and lands of the Olympic Wildlife Area are located in Grays Harbor County 15 miles north of Aberdeen in the Wishkah River Valley and upper Wynoochee River Valley. The Wynoochee Segment is located about 18 miles downstream from the Wynoochee Dam. The area encompasses 1,500 acres of flat and hilly lands in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains.
The Wildlife Area consists of forests and small fields which are scattered among small, private tree farms, DNR land, and corporate timberlands. Various streams wind their way through lush rain forests. Vegetation includes Douglas fir and bigleaf maple as the primary tree species. Lower canopy and groundcover species including trailing blackberry, salmonberry, fireweed, vine maple, cascara, salal, and other valuable, herbaceous forage plants.
Although the purchase of the area was intended for management of elk, management has also increased upland bird use and provides habitat for various other species of wildlife. Bald eagles frequent the area and ruffed and blue grouse are common. Salmon and other fish species occupy the rivers. Hunting, fishing, camping, and other recreational uses of the area are encouraged.
