Johns River Wildlife Area: hunting, units and access
The Johns River Wildlife Area is 11,939 acres of land managed by WDFW in Region 6, in 14 units, inside GMUs 658, 673, 681, 642 and 684, measured from WDFW's boundary. The busiest elk unit it touches is GMU 673, where WDFW reports 172 elk taken in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: WDFW's page for the Johns River Wildlife Area, read 2026-10-18, and WDFW's facility data. Harvest: WDFW reports to 2025.
BLMDNR state trust landWDFW landNational wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted)Military land (restricted)Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies)Johns River Wildlife AreaGMU lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 11,939 acres (WDFW boundary, measured by FilledTag) |
|---|---|
| WDFW region | Region 6, Coastal Washington |
| GMUs | GMU 658, GMU 673, GMU 681, GMU 642, GMU 684 |
| Units | 14 |
| Roads and trails | 25 miles |
| Parking areas | 18 |
| Hunting blinds | 2 (1 accessible) |
| Boat ramps | 5 |
| Nearest towns | South Bend (next to it), Westport (next to it) and Ocean Shores (next to it) |
What is the Johns River Wildlife Area like?
The Johns River Wildlife Area is located in Grays Harbor County and Pacific County, and covers approximately 11,200 acres of land. The wildlife area's units are found mostly along Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay near the coast of the Pacific Ocean on the Olympic Peninsula.
In WDFW's words, from WDFW's Johns River Wildlife Area page.
What units make up the Johns River Wildlife Area?
WDFW manages the area as 14 units. The largest is North Willapa Bay at 4,209 acres.
| Unit | Acres | GMUs | Parking areas | Campgrounds | Hunting blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Willapa Bay | 4,209 | 658, 673 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Elk River | 1,990 | 658 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Johns River | 1,358 | 658 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Chinook | 1,121 | 681 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| South Grays Harbor | 746 | 658 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oyhut | 686 | 642 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Nemah River-Estuary | 497 | 673 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Palix | 379 | 673 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Naselle River | 369 | 673, 681 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Humptulips-Grass Creek | 238 | 642 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Ocean Shores Airport | 186 | 642 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nemah Tidelands | 97 | 673 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oregon Silverspot Butterfly | 59 | 684 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Ocean Park | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unit outlines and facilities: WDFW wildlife area and unit boundaries. Acres measured by FilledTag.
WDFW's notes for each unit
North Willapa Bay: The North Willapa Bay Unit provides opportunities to hunt for black bear, cougar, deer, elk, small game, forest grouse, duck and geese (including brant). WDFW
Elk River: This unit is popular for waterfowl hunting. WDFW
Johns River: Hunting occurs for deer, waterfowl, elk, bear, band-tailed pigeon, and forest grouse. Waterfowl hunting is particularly popular and successful on the tidelands on nearby Markham Island. WDFW
Chinook: This unit is within a firearm restriction area: it is unlawful to hunt with centerfire or rimfire rifles. WDFW
South Grays Harbor: This unit is popular for waterfowl hunting. WDFW
Oyhut: Hunting is restricted to shotguns using birdshot only (Ocean Shores Municipal Code 8.20.020). WDFW
Palix: This unit is popular for waterfowl and elk hunting. WDFW
Naselle River: Lead shot restriction on this unit. Lead shot can kill wildlife that ingests it, and it only takes a few lead pellets to be toxic to wildlife. WDFW
How many elk and deer are taken in the GMUs around the Johns River Wildlife Area?
WDFW reports harvest by GMU, not by wildlife area. These are the whole GMUs the area lies in:
| GMU | Wildlife area acres in it | Elk taken, 2025 | Deer taken, 2025 | Bears taken, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 658 North River | 5,994 | 38 | 190 | 9 |
| GMU 673 Williams Creek | 1,481 | 172 | 210 | 11 |
| GMU 681 Bear River | 1,319 | 134 | 58 | 11 |
| GMU 642 Copalis | 960 | 5 | 39 | 25 |
| GMU 684 Long Beach | 62 | 22 | 20 | 2 |
Harvest: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (GMU, 2025). Wildlife area acres in each GMU measured by FilledTag from WDFW's boundaries.
How do you get to the Johns River Wildlife Area?
Highways within 5 miles: US 101, SR 105, SR 109, SR 103 and SR 401. Nearest towns: South Bend (next to it), Westport (next to it), Ocean Shores (next to it) and Hoquiam (3 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Do you need a pass to park at the Johns River Wildlife Area?
Yes. Parking on WDFW land needs the Vehicle Access Pass that comes with most annual hunting and fishing licenses, or a Discover Pass, displayed where it can be seen from outside the vehicle (WDFW pamphlet, page 72).
Which GMUs is the Johns River Wildlife Area in?
GMU 658 North River (5,994 acres), GMU 673 Williams Creek (1,481 acres), GMU 681 Bear River (1,319 acres), GMU 642 Copalis (960 acres) and GMU 684 Long Beach (62 acres), by WDFW's boundaries. Seasons follow each GMU's rules.
Can you camp on the Johns River Wildlife Area?
WDFW's facility data lists no developed campground on the Johns River Wildlife Area. Camping on WDFW land follows WDFW's public conduct rules and any closures posted for the area; check WDFW's page before planning a camp.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules and access notes: WDFW, Johns River Wildlife Area.
- Boundary, units and facilities: WDFW wildlife area and unit boundaries. Surrounding public land: WA DNR Major Public Lands (non-DNR) and WA DNR Managed Land Parcels, read 2026-10.
- GMU harvest: WDFW Game Harvest Reports. Parking passes: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, page 72.
FilledTag is not part of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Numbers are copied from WDFW and the State of Washington, or measured from their maps; nothing on this page is estimated by FilledTag. WDFW's regulations are the final word on every rule.
Washington hunting Region 6 GMU 658 elk GMU 673 elk GMU 681 elk GMU 642 elk GMU 684 elk