Safe HarborThe Kalaloch area offers a sampler of the variety of coastal habitat protected in Olympic National Park, from sandy beaches to rocky headlands. For millennia, these beaches likely offered a safe landing place for ancestors of area tribes. For thousands of sea creatures, these waters are still a safe haven.Olympic National Park protects 65 miles of wild coastline. Fortunately, the safe haven extends beyond the water's edge. The marine environment and offshore islands are protected in partnership with three national wildlife refuges and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. The refuges manage the islands visible above high tide. Colonies of birds like common murres and tufted puffins rely on these rocky outposts for safe nesting habitat. The marine sanctuary extends 20-50 miles offshore and 135 miles north to south. Sanctuary waters encompass nearshore kelp beds, subtidal reefs, rocky and sandy intertidal zones, submarine canyons and plankton-rich upwelling zones. Olympic National Park works with the sanctuary and refuges to preserve the rich diversity of life in these coastal waters. Life is not limited to tidepools, but spreads outward in all directions––a great, swarming sea of forms and processes whose nature we are only just beginning to understand.
Trail Alert: A recent winter storm caused trail damage to several beach access points at Kalaloch Campground. The stairs down to the beach from Kalaloch Lodge were also washed out by the storm. Visitors can access the beach from the campground via a trail along the north bank of Kalaloch Creek (near Loop C, see map below). In addition, the trail at Beach 1 is currently blocked by driftwood. |
Last updated: February 23, 2021