The Best Beach Hikes in Olympic National Park, WA

Planning a trip to the Olympic Peninsula? These are the best beach hikes in Olympic National Park, WA you can’t miss, from short beach strolls to day hikes.

Olympic National Park is a pristine sanctuary of natural beauty, boasting an unparalleled diversity of landscapes from rugged coastlines and pristine beaches to lush temperate rainforests and majestic mountain peaks.

Outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to the peninsula’s serene and wild environment, where the sound of crashing waves and the sight of ancient trees create a perfect escape to nature.

One of the best things to do, during an Olympic National Park trip is to go hiking. From short beach walks to longer hikes through coastal forests, Olympic National Park has a range of hikes for anyone wanting to get moving out on the trails.

Having hiked each of these breathtaking trails ourselves, we’re sharing the hidden gems and iconic spots that make Olympic National Park a hiker’s paradise for all abilities. 

Keep reading to find the best beach hikes in Olympic NP, perfect for those wanting to combine hiking with seeing some of the Olympic Wilderness Coast’s best beaches. 

*This ‘best beach hikes in Olympic National Park’ post contains affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with top quality content for free.

Read more: Hiking For Beginners- Everything You Need To Know

The Best Beach Hikes in Olympic National Park

You’ll be able to find all the hike trailheads on the map below. You can also use apps like All Trails and Maps.me to guide you along the trail, but generally, all these hikes are well-signposted and maintained.

1. Second Beach (La Push Beaches)

The La Push area has many beautiful beaches to visit during your time in Olympic National Park. Second Beach, with its famous sea stacks, might be one of the most scenic and worthwhile beach hikes in Olympic National Park for those short on time. 

The hike to Second Beach in the La Push area of Olympic National Park is a 2.1-mile round-trip journey that offers an unforgettable coastal experience. This easy trail winds through lush, old-growth forest before descending to the sandy shores of Second Beach.

As you navigate the switchbacks and root-laden path, there’s an unescapable fresh scent of cedar and fir trees. 

When reaching the sandy beach, you’re greeted by a stunning vista of sea stacks, tidal pools, and driftwood-strewn shores.

The beach is particularly fun at low tide ( checking a tide chart before your hike is highly recommended) when marine life becomes visible in the tide pools, and the rock formations stand majestically against the horizon, especially at sunset. 

Second Beach is a year-round destination, but the best season to visit is in the summer where you’ll also be sharing the trail with runners, backpackers, and day hikers.

We visited in late fall with no crowds and gloomy weather yet the beach hike was still a magical experience. 

2. Third Beach Hike

With the trailhead located a little earlier on La Push Road, the Third Beach Hike is another top beach hike in Olympic National Park, offering a serene and picturesque coastal walk. 

This 2.6-mile round-trip trail is moderately easy, guiding hikers through a lush canopy of towering evergreens and ferns before descending to the beach. The forested path is often alive with birdsong, and fresh-smelling firs, typical of Washington State, especially after the rain. 

As you emerge from the woods, you’ll be able to take in the expansive Third Beach, with its pristine sands, dramatic sea stacks, and abundant driftwood.

The beach is perfect for exploring tide pools teeming with marine life or simply soaking in the ocean’s rhythmic waves. It’s also the perfect spot for a magical sunset. 

For those wanting to make this hike a little longer and slightly more challenging, you can also continue down the beach to Taylor Point. Towards the end of Third Beach, you can continue following the trail as it moves back into the coastal forest, and over the small headland to Taylor Point.

This will extend your hike to 5.7 miles, taking approximately 2.5 hours. 

Third Beach is accessible year-round, providing hikers with a serene escape to the Olympic Peninsula.

For those looking for an even shorter beach trail, First Beach can be easily reached from the road or La Push. 

3. Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall

Just north of the Quillayuta River Mouth is the beautiful Rialto Beach. This sublime pebble beach is one of the top beaches in Olympic National Park and visiting is a must during your trip to the Pacific Northwest.

This short hike will take you from the parking lot at the end of Mora Road, down Rialto Beach, all the way to Hole in the Wall Rock, a uniquely shaped rock wall with an arched gap in the middle. 

Essentially following Rialto Beach northwards, this hike follows an easy general elevation trend but is made more difficult by the unstable pebbles underfoot and the odd beach logs you’ll need to avoid. 

​Hole in the Wall Rock is the perfect place for photography too, with the arched rock acting as a frame for your subject. The tidal pools directly underneath it also provide interesting reflections furthering the creative offerings at this point. 

4. Shi Shi Beach Trail

The Shi Shi Beach trail in Olympic National Park is a popular 8-mile round trip beach hike in Olympic NP that promises an adventure through some of the most stunning coastal landscapes in the region. 

This moderately challenging trail begins in the dense, moss-covered forests, where the path meanders through towering trees and across rustic wooden boardwalks (the trailhead is just off Fish Hatchery Road). 

As you approach the coastline, after about 2 miles, the forest gives way to the expanse of Shi Shi Beach, renowned for its striking sea stacks, and the iconic Point of Arches rock formations. 

The beach itself is a wild, untamed stretch of sand, offering both solitude (outside the summer months) and dramatic scenery. This trail finished at the end of the beach by the Flattery Rocks Wildlife Refuge but you can continue down the Olympic coast if you’d like to extend the hike. 

Another extension option here is to follow the Willoughby Lake Route through the forest to the small Willoughby Lake. You’ll find the trailhead on Shi Shi Beach near the toilet facilities. 

The Shi Shi Beach trail makes for the perfect day hike, exploring the tide pools at low tide, enjoying a beachside picnic, or even camping overnight to catch a sunset. As one of the best beach hikes in Olympic National Park Shi Shi Beach is a quintessential coastal Pacific Northwest experience.

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5. Cape Alava Trail

The Cape Alava Trail in Olympic National Park offers a unique and enriching hiking experience, combining coastal beauty with lush rainforests.

This 6.8-mile round trip hike begins at the Ozette Ranger Station, leading you through lush, dense forests and over well-maintained boardwalks that traverse the marshy terrain.

As you approach Cape Alava, the forest opens up to reveal the pristine, rocky shoreline of the Pacific Ocean.

Cape Alava is the westernmost point in the contiguous United States and is renowned for its stunning ocean views, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural history, with ancient Makah tribal petroglyphs etched into the rocks. 

The trail is relatively flat and accessible, making it suitable for hikers of various skill levels. As one of the best hikes in Olympic National Park, the Cape Alava Trail is perfect for those looking for a forest hike with stunning ocean views to match.

6. Spruce Railroad Trail on Lake Crescent

While this might not be a coastal trail, it does still involve a large body of water and for those who don’t mind giving up the coast for one hike, this superior trail is one of the best in Olympic National Park.

The Spruce Railroad Trail is one of my personal favorite trails, mainly due to the scenic views found along it but also for its diversity between lake vistas and forest trails. 

This long but easy trail begins at the trailhead next to the parking lot on East Beach Road. The trail meanders along the northern shore of the sparkling Lake Crescent, providing hikers with breathtaking views of the crystal-clear waters and the surrounding mountains.

The trail follows the route of an old World War I-era railroad, with remnants of the historic railway still visible along the path, adding a sense of nostalgia and intrigue.

As you hike, you’ll pass through lush forests of towering spruce and fir trees, cross charming wooden bridges, and discover hidden coves and picturesque picnic spots. One of the trail’s highlights is the scenic Devil’s Punchbowl, a deep, blue pool perfect for a refreshing swim.

The Spruce Railroad Trail is an ideal day hike or part of a longer backpacking trip in Olympic National Park (Wilderness Permit needed). 

7. Ruby Beach Hike

The Ruby Beach hike is a 1 mile, out-and-back trail nestled near Forks, Washington. Known for its accessibility, this easy route typically takes around 20 minutes to complete, making it perfect for hikers of all levels.

There are also lots of photo opportunities here so chances are the hike will take you longer. 

As you explore this popular trail, you’ll likely cross paths with fellow hikers and runners, drawn by the stunning coastal scenery and unique rock formations. The best time to do the trail is towards sunset when the sun dips below the Pacific, casting its golden glow as far as the eye can see. 

Open year-round, Ruby Beach offers a captivating experience in any season, from misty winter mornings to vibrant summer sunsets. Leashed dogs are welcome.

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Entrance Fees, Passes & Permits for Olympic National Park

To access the stunning Olympic National Park beaches and hikes, you will need to have an entrance pass. 

The park offers several types of passes to accommodate different needs.

A Standard Pass ranges from $15 to $30, depending on whether you’re paying per person or per vehicle. This is the best option if you’re just visiting once.  

For frequent visitors, the Annual Pass provides unlimited access for $55- ideal for those living in Seattle or around Washington and visiting multiple times a year.  

Additionally, the America the Beautiful Pass grants entry to all national parks and federal recreational lands including Olympic. This pass includes options for seniors, military members, individuals with permanent disabilities, and families with 4th graders, who may qualify for free or discounted rates.

If you already have an America the Beautiful Pass, no additional entrance pass is required for Olympic National Park. 

All of the above beach trails are generally done as day hikes. None of the above short trails need Wilderness Camping Permits unless you plan on staying overnight or doing a much longer backpacking trip. For more information about Wilderness Backpacking Permits check here. 

Which one of the best beach hikes in Olympic National Park will you do? Let me know all your questions and comments below.

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