9 Incredible Olympic National Park Beaches to Explore

Olympic National Park is famous for its rainforests and mountains, but the wild coast might be the best part. Think sea stacks, giant driftwood piles, tide pools full of sea stars, and moody sunsets.

There are over 70 miles of coastline in the park, and most of it has no road at all. Luckily, a handful of beaches are easy to reach. Here are the best Olympic National Park beaches, from south to north, plus what to know before you go.

Map of Olympic National Park Beaches

Here’s where all the beaches are. They’re listed below from south to north, so you can follow along up Highway 101.

1. Kalaloch Beach 1

Beach 1 is the southernmost of the Kalaloch beaches, just off Highway 101. A short, easy trail through the spruce forest takes you down to the sand, though you’ll have to climb over a pile of driftwood at the end.

Once you’re down, it’s easygoing. Explore the tide pools, watch for bald eagles in the trees along the bluff, and enjoy the quiet. Beach 1 is way less busy than its famous neighbors, so you might have it all to yourself.

2. Kalaloch Beach 2

Beach 2 is a little farther north, with a short trail down to a huge beach covered in pebbles and driftwood. It’s the same gorgeous coastline, with forest right behind you.

Even though it’s right off the highway, not many people stop here. The beach is massive, and you could walk for hours without seeing another person.

3. Kalaloch Beach

The main Kalaloch Beach sits right in the middle of the Kalaloch beaches, with a big parking area, long sandy shores, a campground, and Kalaloch Lodge. Unsurprisingly, it’s one of the most popular beaches in the park.

It’s also home to the famous Tree of Life, a Sitka spruce clinging to the bluff with its roots hanging over a cave the creek carved out below. Storms and erosion have been taking a toll, so see it while you can, and admire it from the beach (don’t climb on the roots).

4. Kalaloch Beach 3

Keep going north on Highway 101 to Beach 3. There’s just a small pullout here, but this beach rarely gets busy, so parking is usually easy. A short but steep trail leads down to the beach, and it can get muddy after rain.

Down on the sand, you’ll find big cliffs, great ocean views, and some tide pools if you walk a bit. It’s an especially pretty spot for sunset.

5. Kalaloch Beach 4

Beach 4 is the farthest north of the Kalaloch beaches. It’s a bit more popular than Beaches 1 to 3, with a bigger parking lot and pit toilets. The trail down is short but rugged, and you’ll cross a cute little footbridge before you hit the beach.

Beach 4 has some of the best tide pools on the whole coast. Look for colorful algae, gooseneck barnacles, green anemones, and bright sea stars. Come at low tide for the best tide pooling.

6. Ruby Beach (Most Popular Olympic National Park Beach)

Ruby Beach is the crown jewel of the Olympic coast. It’s named for the reddish garnet sand you’ll spot along the shore, and it’s packed with sea stacks, sun-bleached driftwood, and tide pools.

It’s also one of the easiest beaches to reach. The paved parking lot has an accessible overlook, and a short path takes you down to the sand. Since it’s one of the few beaches you can enjoy at high tide too, don’t expect it to yourself, especially in summer. It’s worth it anyway.

7. La Push Beaches

The La Push beaches are a long stretch of coast split into three: First Beach, Second Beach, and Third Beach. Not the most creative names, but what they lack in creativity, they make up for in beauty.

First Beach is right in the town of La Push, on the Quileute Reservation (not in the national park). You can drive right up to it, and it has sea stack views, tide pools, and great bird watching. Be respectful, since this is the tribe’s home.

Second Beach is the most popular. A forest trail of about 0.7 miles each way leads down a set of stairs to a postcard-perfect beach with huge sea stacks and a natural arch. The Quileute Tribe charges a fee to park at the trailhead. Stay for sunset if you can, and bring a headlamp for the walk back.

Third Beach is the quietest. The 3.6-mile round trip through the forest keeps the crowds down, and you’ll be rewarded with a wide, wild beach and a waterfall pouring off the cliff at the far end.

Want to sleep on the beach? You can camp at Second and Third Beach with an Olympic National Park wilderness permit. They’re popular in summer, so book ahead.

8. Rialto Beach (One of the Most Famous Olympic National Park Beaches)

Just across the river from La Push, Rialto Beach is a classic Olympic coast beach, with giant driftwood piles, rugged sea stacks, and colorful tide pools. Watch for otters, seals, and even whales offshore.

The big draw is the Hole in the Wall, a sea-carved arch about 1.5 miles up the beach (a 3.3-mile round trip). Go at low tide so you can walk through it and explore the tide pools. Dogs are allowed on the beach only as far as Ellen Creek.

Rialto is reached by Mora Road, which sometimes closes for repairs, so check the park’s road conditions before you go.

9. Shi Shi Beach

Shi Shi Beach is tucked away in the far northwest corner of the state, and it’s often called the most beautiful beach in Washington. The rock formations at Point of the Arches, at the south end of the beach, look like another planet.

Getting there takes some work. The trail starts on the Makah Reservation, so you’ll need a Makah Recreation Pass from Neah Bay. It’s about 2 miles through the forest and a steep scramble down the bluff, then a long beach walk to Point of the Arches, about 8 miles round trip in total. The trail can be very muddy, so wear boots.

Camping on Shi Shi needs an Olympic National Park wilderness permit, and overnight parking is only allowed in the private paid lots before the trailhead.

More Beaches in and Near Olympic National Park

The stretch of coast between Third Beach and the Hoh River is roadless wilderness. Backpackers can hike it as a multi-day trip with rope ladders over the headlands and tide-dependent crossings. You’ll need a wilderness permit, a tide chart, and solid experience.

Up north near Neah Bay, Cape Flattery is the northwesternmost point in the lower 48, with a short trail to dramatic cliffs and sea caves. It’s on Makah land too, so the same Makah Recreation Pass works. Inland, Lake Quinault and Lake Crescent have pebbly lake beaches, perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding.

And Port Angeles sits right on the water. The beaches there are more for a stroll, but the town is a great base for the rest of the park.

Tips for Visiting Olympic National Park Beaches

• Never turn your back on the ocean: Sneaker waves and rolling logs are real dangers here. Stay off driftwood piles near the water.
• Plan around the tides: Low tide is best for tide pools and for getting around headlands. Some routes are impassable at high tide.
• Leave the tide pools as you found them: Look, don’t take, and step carefully.
• Bring layers and rain gear: The coast is often foggy, windy, and wet, even in summer.
• Check road conditions: Coastal roads sometimes close for repairs or storm damage.

Where to Stay Near Olympic National Park Beaches

For the south coast, nothing beats Kalaloch Lodge, with cabins right above the beach. For La Push, Rialto, and Second and Third Beach, stay in Forks or right on the water in La Push. 3 Rivers Resort has cabins just outside Forks, perfect for families.

Camping? Kalaloch, South Beach, and Mora are the park’s coastal campgrounds. Here’s our full guide to camping on the Washington coast, plus more on where to stay in Olympic National Park.

FAQs About Olympic National Park Beaches

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re tide pooling at Kalaloch, chasing sunset at Ruby Beach, or hiking out to Shi Shi, the Olympic coast is one of the wildest, most beautiful places in Washington.

Pack layers, check the tides, and give yourself time. These beaches are best enjoyed slowly.

We hope this helps you plan your trip to the best Olympic National Park beaches!

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