• Olympic: Three Parks in One

    Olympic

    National Park Washington

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  • Olympic Hot Springs Road Closed

    The Elwha Valley's Olympic Hot Springs Road is closed to public entry beyond the Altair Campground during removal of the Glines Canyon Dam. Olympic Hot Springs is not accessible from the Elwha.

  • Elwha River Closures

    Boating is prohibited on the Elwha River between Upper Lake Mills Trail to Altair Campground.

  • Changes to Visitor Services Due to Sequestration

    Due to mandatory, across the board budget cuts, some visitor services at Olympic National Park have changed. See the Plan Your Visit section for more information.

Exploring the Coast

two small children on wide sandy beach, low sun angle
Who can resist a beach at low tide?
 

No two miles of Olympic's Pacific coastline are alike. From beaches (that might be sandy, rocky, or boulder-strewn!) to cliffs plunging into the sea, you'll find it somewhere along Olympic's 73 miles of coastline.

Wherever you go along the coast, always carry a tide table and know how to use it!

 
Mora and Rialto Beach

About an hour's drive west of Port Angeles, Mora has a campground, self-guided nature trails and a ranger station that's open intermittently in summer. Another two miles beyond Mora is rocky Rialto Beach on the Pacific Ocean. Picnic tables, restrooms and a trailhead are provided at Rialto Beach.

Visiting Rialto Beach

 
Kalaloch

Kalaloch is known for its wide sandy beach. The Kalaloch area has two campgrounds, a concession-operated lodge, a ranger station with exhibits and information desk (open daily in summer), a picnic area, self-guided nature trails.

Visiting Kalaloch

 
Lake Ozette Area

Although three miles from the Pacific, the Ozette area is a popular coastal access point. A small campground and ranger station (open daily in summer) are located at Lake Ozette. Two three-mile boardwalk trails lead to Sand Point and Cape Alava, both located on the Pacific Coast.

Visiting Ozette

Looking for more of a wilderness experience? Make sure to check out the Wilderness Trip Planner for details about hiking, camping, and safety during your wilderness getaway.

  • Coastal Ecosystems Coastal Ecosystems

    Learn more about Olympic's coast. Read More

  • Marine Mammals of Olympic Marine Mammals of Olympic

    Learn more about the marine mammals that inhabit coastal waters of the Olympic Peninsula. Read More

  • Park Destinations Park Destinations

    A guide to the park's various destinations and information to help you plan your trip. Read More

  • Wilderness Trail & Campsite Map Wilderness Trail & Campsite Map

    Read More

Did You Know?

closeup of cow elk face

Olympic National Park protects the largest unmanaged herd of Roosevelt elk in the world. Olympic was almost named "Elk National Park" and was established in part to protect these stately animals.