Ocean City State Park occupies the northern end of the Ocean Shores peninsula, just a few kilometres up the coast from the town centre. The park has direct beach access through the dunes and a network of trails through the coastal forest and wetland behind the dune line. It is the best access point on this stretch of coast for birding, and the tidal flats here are among the most productive in the region during shorebird migration.
The park has a campground with both full-hookup and tent sites, making it the obvious base if you want beach access without staying in town. The facilities are well-maintained and the campground is busy on summer weekends — booking ahead through the Washington State Parks reservation system is advisable from May through September.