Moonlit Clam Digs and Chanterelle Forages Near Allyn, WA

Allyn, Washington sits on the western shore of Case Inlet, about 1¼ hours from Seattle, and it's the meeting point for an unusual forest‑to‑beach evening: Chanterelles & Clams: Hunt, Feast & Moonlit Dig. This one‑night experience stitches a daytime mushroom hunt into a sunset happy hour, a waterfront dinner, and a headlamp‑led clam dig as the tide retreats. If you want a single outing that delivers both old‑growth understory and low‑tide flats, this is it.

Guides lead small groups of up to 14 guests into mossy second‑growth to locate golden and white chanterelles; the hunt is hands‑on and teaches spot‑ting, sustainable harvest limits, and simple ID rules so you leave with foraging skills as well as a mesh bag of mushrooms.

After the forest comes a sunset happy hour at a private waterfront retreat where boutique Mana Vintners pours local wines beside a generous charcuterie spread. Founders Angela & Tim of Forage Seattle lead the dinner: Angela’s manila clam and chanterelle chowder paired with Tim’s fresh‑baked sourdough becomes the evening's centerpiece while guests trade daylight stories next to a beach bonfire.

When night falls and the tide pulls back, everyone swaps bonfire light for headlamps and crosses the rocky beach to dig manila clams in the intertidal mud and sand. Shellfishing equipment is provided and guests may take home up to 40 clams; rubber‑boot rentals are available if you don’t bring waterproof footwear. Expect uneven terrain, cold salt air, and the satisfying wet‑squelch of a good dig.

The six‑hour itinerary balances active time in the woods with relaxed waterfront hospitality: all foraging supplies are included to keep, shellfishing gear is supplied, wine and bubbly top the sunset hour, and the menu finishes with chowder, Tim’s bread, and s’mores. Groups are capped at 14 and the trip runs as a single evening event—an ideal short adventure for PNW lovers who want minimal driving and a full sensory night out. Meet in Allyn, WA; organizers note the drive from Seattle is roughly 1¼ hours. Bring warm layers, waterproof pants, a small cooler for your clams, and a headlamp for the moonlit dig.

Chanterelles & Clams stands out for pairing two harvest traditions in one evening: forest mycology and intertidal shellfishing led by local foragers. The trip emphasizes sustainable harvest practices and low‑impact techniques so guests learn to forage responsibly while enjoying local wine and campfire cooking. Family‑friendly for older kids (11+), it’s social and instructional, rooted in place — you depart with edible finds, practical skills, and a digital photo album. This seasonal, one‑night finale fills fast; book early, pack your layers and a cooler, and trade a city evening for salt air, warm chowder, and tide‑timed adventure. Spaces are limited—reserve early.