Ruby Beach is a quarter-mile walk from the parking lot, and it comes with sea stacks, driftwood piles and a lighthouse on the horizon

Some of the Olympic coast’s best scenery makes you walk miles for it. Ruby Beach asks for about a quarter mile, and then hands you a shoreline crowded with sea stacks and sun-bleached driftwood.

It sits right off Highway 101, roughly 27 miles south of Forks, which makes it the easiest big-payoff stop on this stretch of coast. Here’s how to do it right.

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The walk is short, but it has a twist

The trail from the parking area to the sand is about a quarter mile each way. Near the bottom, Cedar Creek empties into a big pool, and then you scramble over a stretch of driftwood to reach the beach itself.

That driftwood pile is half the fun, and also the part that slows people down. Wear shoes with real grip, because the logs are uneven and the trail has roots and rocks.

The lot holds about two dozen cars, with overflow parking along the access road, and there are vault toilets near the trailhead. On a busy day, expect to park on the road.

What you’re actually looking at

Ruby Beach is known for its sea stacks, and they’re the reason you’ll fill your camera roll in ten minutes flat. Look southwest on a clear day and you can pick out Destruction Island and its lighthouse, about 4 miles offshore.

The name comes from the ruby-like crystals in the sand, so look down once in a while too. Not sure which way to point the camera first? Start with the stacks, then turn around and shoot the driftwood.

Plan your day around low tide

Here’s my one firm opinion: time your visit for low tide. That’s when the beach opens up, the sands lead out toward Abbey Island so you can explore it, and the tide pools show off starfish and crabs.

Pull up a tide chart before you leave the car, and keep an eye on the water while you wander. The National Park Service is the place to check for current coastal conditions and safety guidance.

Turn it into a full coast day

Ruby Beach is one stop in Olympic National Park’s coastal strip, and it pairs well with the rest of the park. If you want more trail ideas, our list of the best hikes in Olympic National Park has plenty to build on.

Staying up the road? Our guide to things to do in Forks covers the nearest town, and the park’s entrance fee applies here since Ruby Beach is inside Olympic National Park. A national parks pass can cover the entrance if you’re visiting more than one park this year.

So, sea stacks at golden hour or tide pools at the lowest tide: which one are you chasing?

Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone, or skip both and book a camper van instead.

Rules and fees change, so always confirm current requirements before you go.

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