Olympic Wildlife Area: hunting, units and access
The Olympic Wildlife Area is 1,480 acres of land managed by WDFW in Region 6, in 3 units, inside GMUs 648 and 612, measured from WDFW's boundary. The busiest elk unit it touches is GMU 648, where WDFW reports 13 elk taken in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: WDFW's page for the Olympic Wildlife Area, read 2026-10-18, and WDFW's facility data. Harvest: WDFW reports to 2025.
National forestDNR state trust landWDFW landNational wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted)National park or historic site (no hunting)Military land (restricted)Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies)Olympic Wildlife AreaGMU lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 1,480 acres (WDFW boundary, measured by FilledTag) |
|---|---|
| WDFW region | Region 6, Coastal Washington |
| GMUs | GMU 648, GMU 612 |
| Units | 3 |
| Roads and trails | 5 miles |
| Parking areas | 3 |
| Nearest towns | Forks (4 mi), Aberdeen (10 mi) and Montesano (11 mi) |
What is the Olympic Wildlife Area like?
The Olympic Wildlife Area is primarily found in Grays Harbor County, with the Anderson Homestead unit located in Clallam County. The wildlife area has approximately 1,480 acres of land, and its estuary and wetland habitats support a diversity of wildlife including big and small game species, songbirds, as well as native and federally endangered fish populations. This wildlife area includes a wide range of important fish and wildlife habitats including riparian, estuarine, freshwater wetland, old-growth/mature forest, upland meadow, and coastal prairie systems.
In WDFW's words, from WDFW's Olympic Wildlife Area page.
What units make up the Olympic Wildlife Area?
WDFW manages the area as 3 units. The largest is Olympic at 767 acres.
| Unit | Acres | GMUs | Parking areas | Campgrounds | Hunting blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic | 767 | 642, 648 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Wynoochee Mitigation | 647 | 648 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Anderson Homestead | 66 | 612 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Unit outlines and facilities: WDFW wildlife area and unit boundaries. Acres measured by FilledTag.
WDFW's notes for each unit
Olympic: It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than nontoxic shot for any purpose on this unit (WAC 220-414-040). WDFW
Wynoochee Mitigation: It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than nontoxic shot for any purpose on this unit (WAC 220-414-040). WDFW
Anderson Homestead: It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than nontoxic shot for any purpose on this unit (WAC 220-414-040). WDFW
How many elk and deer are taken in the GMUs around the Olympic 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 648 Wynoochee | 1,403 | 13 | 346 | 24 |
| GMU 612 Goodman | 66 | 18 | 34 | 8 |
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 Olympic Wildlife Area?
Highways within 5 miles: US 101. Nearest towns: Forks (4 miles), Aberdeen (10 miles), Montesano (11 miles) and Cosmopolis (11 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Do you need a pass to park at the Olympic 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 Olympic Wildlife Area in?
GMU 648 Wynoochee (1,403 acres) and GMU 612 Goodman (66 acres), by WDFW's boundaries. Seasons follow each GMU's rules.
Can you camp on the Olympic Wildlife Area?
WDFW's facility data lists no developed campground on the Olympic 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.
Get a Washington hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Washington are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Washington included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules and access notes: WDFW, Olympic 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.