The expansive, diverse 73-mile shoreline of Olympic National Park offers constant delights with crashing waves, tidal cycles and spectacular views. Most of the beaches along this stretch are wide and sandy with superb hiking and beach combing.
Ozette, at the northwest tip of the park, can be reached along a three-mile boardwalk trail to either Sand Point or Cape Alava. A popular day hike is a nine-mile loop, which includes a three-mile beach walk.
One of our favorites, Rialto Beach, a two-mile stretch along Olympic National Park’s wild coast, offers smooth-pebbled black rocks, giant drift logs, pounding waves and magnificent views of offshore islands known as “seastacks.” It is also the start of the shoreline trail that leads to Hole-in-the-Wall, famous for the park’s best locations for tide pools. Rialto also has wide sandy beaches for easy walking.
Three beaches south of Rialto Beach are named First, Second and Third Beaches, and are worthy of exploration.
Kalaloch’s beach, at the south end of the park’s ocean coastline, was named by Seattle Magazine as one of the best ten beaches to winter storm watch. Visitors can spend hours here on wide sandy beaches, exploring tide pools, rocky cliffs and a myriad of driftwood ranging in age from new to ancient.
One of our favorite places to camp just three miles from Rialto Beach is Mora Campground, open year-round. With 94 campsites, we’re almost always assured of finding a site for a night or two. Mora has amenities such as fire rings with grates, accessible restrooms, water and bear-proof food storage. Mora also has a boat ramp and picnic area.
We think of summer as a time to camp, but with the right equipment, camping can be a year-round activity. If you’re not into camping, you’ll find lodging in nearby towns of Forks and Port Angeles. Winter storms along the Pacific Coast offer exciting views. Bundle up and try it.
On any of Olympic National Park’s coastline, you’re guaranteed an exciting outing any time of year.
Thank you for sharing the coastline with us. Wonderful photo’s to boot!
Rialto Beach looks like a must-see.
It is spectacular, Carmen. Next time you’re on the coast, you should spend some time there. We have several pictures on our walls that Bruce has taken there. Thanks for your comment.
Mary: It sounds so inviting to have to “bundle up.” We Phoenicians currently swelter in triple digit temps. I keep a number of framed pictures on my home’s walls that are snow-laden. Just looking at them seems to cool me, much like your beautiful photos.
What you need to do, Judith, is visit the NW in the summer! I can’t imagine those high temps. Thanks for your comment.