Westport — A Wheelchair-Accessible Pacific Northwest Gem

Westport is the quintessential Pacific Northwest fishing village. Located 130 miles southwest of Seattle, it sports a one-lane main drag that’s dominated by the marina and dotted with a chowder house, a donut shack, a few souvenir shops, several fishing charter companies and the requisite local pub. With a population of only 2,300 it’s a laid back spot to escape, recharge and relax.

Of course, this quaint fishing village also has its fair share of must-see attractions, including some scenic trails, a historic lighthouse and a gaggle of picturesque ocean views. And although at first glance this out-of-the-way locale may not appear to be an ideal choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers, a deeper dig reveals a number of accessible haunts. So pack the car and head over to the coast for a relaxing wheelchair-accessible Westport getaway.

Stroll along the Shore

The Westport Light Trail and Viewing Station, which borders on Half Moon Bay and the Pacific Ocean, is a good first stop. There are several spots to access the 2.4-mile wheelchair accessible oceanside trail, but the viewing station is located at the intersection of Westhaven Drive and Neddie Rose Drive near the marina.

Part of Westport Light State Park (parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/westport-light-state-park), the viewing area offers accessible parking in front, with barrier-free access to the lighthouse-like viewing platform. There’s ramped access up to the first level of the viewing station, but only stairs to the upper levels. Still you can get a nice ocean view from the first level. And if you’d like to stop for lunch, there are some picnic tables on a level grassy area near the viewing station that also have a good ocean view.

The viewing station also marks the north end of the Westport Light Trail, which winds along the beach and offers some more great views. This paved trail is wide and level, and it’s sheltered from the waves, but you can still see the breakers crash into the rocks. The whole length of the trail is wheelchair-accessible, but you can do as little or as much of it as you like.

You can also access the Westport Light Trail from two places along Jetty Haul Road. The Half Moon Bay Parking Area is located about .6 mile down the trail. There’s an accessible parking space there, with level access to the trail. Down the road another .6 miles in the Westhaven Parking Area, which is slightly more developed. There’s accessible parking with level access over to the accessible restrooms, and an accessible picnic table on a cement pad nearby. And of course, there’s level access to the Westport Light Trail.

The Historic Lighthouse

No trip to Westport is complete without a stop at the historic Grays Harbor Lighthouse. If you’re up for a hike, you can continue on along the Westport Light Trail for another 1.2 miles until you hit the terminus at the parking lot on Ocean Avenue. From there, just follow Ocean Avenue for another .4 mile to the lighthouse — you can’t miss it.

If, on the other hand, you’d prefer to drive, there are numerous parallel parking spots near the lighthouse along Ocean Avenue. From there it’s just a short roll to the lighthouse viewing platform. There’s a level cement pathway, with barrier-free access over to the platform, which offers an excellent view of the lighthouse.

If you’d like to get closer there’s a short dirt pathway over to the lighthouse, however it’s got a few ruts and bumps and after a rain it’s a muddy mess. Alternatively you can borrow a track chair from David’s Chair (davidschair.org/request-fixed-location-chair/). These heavy duty chairs have tank tracks for tires, and will easily navigate around the lighthouse area. Plan ahead though, as reservations must be made at least seven days in advance and the track chairs are not available every day.

And of course you can also access the south trailhead of the Westport Light Trail from the parking lot at the end of Ocean Avenue. There’s accessible parking near the accessible restrooms, with trail access just to the left of the parking area. Even if you already took a stroll on the north section of the trail, it’s still worth look here for more great ocean views.

Another Ocean Stroll

Bottle Beach State Park (parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/bottle-beach-state-park) is also worth a stop while you are in the Westport area. It’s just a short drive down Highway 105, about eight miles east of Westport. And it’s easy to find too, as it located right off the highway.

There’s accessible parking near the accessible vault toilet, and level access over to the .7-mile trail. The trail begins as a boardwalk through the wetlands, which was formerly the site of the boomtown of Ocosto. Originally the railroad terminus, the town later failed and subsequently became known as Bottle Beach, because of the trash left behind by the residents. Today, there’s nary a trace of the old town; however this site is an excellent birding venue. Be on the lookout for chickadees, warblers, wrens, woodpeckers and finches as you make your way along the trail.

After the boardwalk ends, make a right turn and continue on the paved trail to the beach. The trail crosses a bridge, which is also a good place to spot the avian residents. When you reach the beach, make another right to continue on the hard-packed dirt trail through the wetlands. Along the way, you’ll find benches and interpretive plaques, as well as an accessible viewing blind over the marsh.

There’s also a nice ocean view along the way. At the end of the trail is another blind, with benches to sit and take a break. There’s a good view of the beach from the blind, so be on the look for peregrine falcons who like to hunt along the shoreline. This short trail makes for a pleasant stroll, and it’s a must-do for birders.

Camping Cabins at the Beach

Located about four miles south of Westport, Twin Harbors State Park (parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/twin-harbors-state-park) offers a nice picnic area as well as some wheelchair-accessible camping cabins and a yurt. It’s a nice spot for an alfresco lunch, or the perfect place to bed down for a few nights.

If you’d like to enjoy a picnic there is a small picnic area off of Schafer Road. There’s accessible parking in the lot and level access over to several accessible picnic tables on cement pads. And there’s also an accessible restroom nearby.

Loop A of the campground, which is located off of Highway 105, offers a few accessible overnight options that don’t involve pitching a tent. At the top of the list are five wheelchair-accessible camping cabins. Each cabin includes a level entrance and good maneuvering space, and is furnished with a queen-sized futon, a bunk bed with a single on top and a double on the the bottom, a table with four chairs and and end table. The cabins also include a heater, and outside they each have an accessible picnic table and a fire grill. They also all have a nice front porch.

Yurt 203 is also a wheelchair-accessible choice. It has level access and is furnished with a queen-sized futon, and a bunk with a double on top and a twin on the bottom. And like the cabins it also has an accessible table and grill in front. Additionally, there’s a nearby concrete pad with a hookup for a RV that can be reserved for an extra fee.

Top it off with an accessible shower house with a toilet with grab bars and a roll-in shower with a fold-down shower bench, a lowered showerhead and grab bars, and you have all the comforts of home.

A Wheelchair-Accessible Marina Cottage

Last but not least, If you’d like a few more amenities in your lodging choice, then check out the wheelchair accessible cottage at Westport Marina Cottages (www.hotelsone.com/westport-hotels-us/westport-marina-cottages.html).

This comfy cottage (#1) features ramp access, wide doorways and good maneuvering space. The main room is furnished with a 25-inch high open-frame bed with wheelchair access on the right side (which can be moved a tad for left side access), a 20-inch high twin daybed, two side tables, and a comfy electric fireplace. There’s a dining table by the front window with a perfect marina view, and a full kitchen including a stove microwave, refrigerator and a dishwasher. Add in all the dishes and utensils you could possibly need, and you’re all set.

There’s a wide sliding door to the roomy bathroom, which has a full five-foot turning radius. It’s outfitted with a large roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a fold-down shower bench. Add in a toilet with grab bars on the the back and right walls (as seated) and also a roll-under sink with a lowered mirror, and you have a nicely accessible bathroom.

There are also two deck chairs that you can take outside to enjoy the marina view. And it’s a fabulous view, with fisherman filing in every morning, and then returning in the late afternoon. Add in a dog or two to assist them, and a few fish jumping out of the water and you have the quintessential waterfront view. It’s the perfect spot to relax at the end of the day, or to enjoy your coffee in the morning. With all the comforts of home, this wheelchair-accessible cottage is an ideal choice for a comfortable and accessible Westport getaway.