Washington’s rugged coastline hides some amazing secret beaches that most tourists never find. I’ve spent years exploring these hidden gems, often hiking through dense forests or scrambling down steep trails to reach pristine shores where it feels like no one has set foot before.
If you’re tired of crowded beaches and want to experience the raw beauty of the Pacific Northwest in solitude, I’ve got the perfect list for you!
1. Second Beach: The Forest-to-Shore Dream
Hidden behind a curtain of ancient trees, Second Beach requires a relatively easy 0.7-mile forest hike that suddenly opens to reveal breathtaking coastal views. My first time here, I literally gasped when the trail spilled onto this magnificent stretch of sand.
Massive drift logs scattered across the beach serve as natural benches for watching the powerful Pacific waves crash against offshore sea stacks. During low tide, fascinating marine creatures appear in exposed tide pools, I once spent hours watching tiny hermit crabs scuttle between colorful sea anemones.
The beach sits near La Push on the Olympic Peninsula, yet somehow maintains its wild character despite its accessibility. If you’re lucky enough to visit during sunset, prepare for a sky show that will make you forget to check your phone for days afterward.
2. Third Beach: The Hiker’s Coastal Reward
Unlike its numerical neighbor, Third Beach demands more commitment with its 1.4-mile trail through towering Sitka spruce forest. However, those willing to make the trek are rewarded with spectacular isolation that feels worlds away from civilization.
During my last visit, I encountered only two other hikers all day. The beach stretches wide at low tide, revealing fascinating rock formations and tidal pools teeming with starfish, sea urchins, and tiny crabs that scurry away as you approach.
Though challenging to reach, Third Beach offers prime backpacking opportunities with designated camping spots nestled against the forest edge. Falling asleep to the symphony of crashing waves while staring up at stars undiminished by city lights remains one of my most cherished Washington memories. The effort required to reach this beach keeps the crowds away, preserving its pristine beauty.
3. Point of the Arches: Nature’s Sculpture Gallery
If you continue south from Shi Shi Beach at low tide, you’ll discover the breathtaking Point of the Arches. This remarkable collection of natural sea arches and towering rock formations creates what I consider nature’s finest sculpture gallery on the Washington coast.
My camera nearly overheated trying to capture the endless compositions of stone, sea, and sky. The area requires timing your visit with low tide, making it feel all the more exclusive and rewarding when you arrive safely.
Wildlife viewing here is exceptional, I’ve spotted sea otters playing in kelp beds, seals lounging on rocks, and even caught glimpses of gray whales spouting offshore during migration seasons. The challenging access ensures you’ll likely have this magnificent spot mostly to yourself, even during summer months when more accessible beaches fill with tourists.
4. Cape Alava: America’s Westernmost Beach
How cool is it to stand at the westernmost point in the contiguous United States? Cape Alava holds this geographic distinction, making every visit feel like a special pilgrimage to the edge of America.
The 3.1-mile trail through old-growth forest and boardwalks over wetlands builds anticipation before revealing this remote shoreline. During my spring visit, I watched gray whales migrating just offshore, an experience that left me speechless for hours afterward.
History buffs will appreciate the cultural significance too. Ancient petroglyphs can be found on nearby Wedding Rocks, and the beach contains archaeological evidence of the Makah people who lived here for thousands of years. Though reaching Cape Alava requires effort, standing where the continent meets the vast Pacific creates a profound connection to both nature and history that few other beaches can match.
5. Ozette Triangle: The Beach-Forest Loop Adventure
Though technically a trail system rather than a single beach, the Ozette Triangle offers one of Washington’s most rewarding coastal experiences. This 9.4-mile loop connects Cape Alava and Sand Point beaches via inland forest trails and a spectacular 3-mile beach segment.
Walking the beach portion feels like stepping into a prehistoric world. Massive cedar and spruce trees that have washed ashore create natural obstacle courses, while the constant clash between forest and ocean creates dramatic scenery unlike anywhere else. I once spotted a family of river otters playing among driftwood, they seemed as surprised to see me as I was to see them!
Weather here changes dramatically, adding to the adventure. I’ve experienced brilliant sunshine, mystical fog, and sideways rain all within a single day’s hike. The varying conditions only enhance the wild beauty of this remote coastal treasure.
6. Shi Shi Beach: Where Wilderness Meets Ocean
The journey to Shi Shi Beach isn’t easy, but boy, is it worth every step! After a two-mile hike through lush forest and a somewhat sketchy descent down a bluff, you’ll emerge onto one of the most spectacular stretches of sand in the entire Pacific Northwest.
What makes Shi Shi magical is the collection of sea stacks that dot the shoreline like nature’s sculptures. I once spent a whole day watching bald eagles soar between these rocky formations while tide pools revealed their colorful underwater worlds at my feet.
Though camping permits are required, falling asleep to crashing waves with no light pollution overhead creates memories that last forever. The beach stretches for 2.3 miles, giving you plenty of room to find your own slice of paradise.
7. Ruby Beach: The Driftwood Wonderland
While slightly more accessible than others on this list, Ruby Beach maintains its wild character through sheer natural drama. The approach reveals a shoreline where massive bleached driftwood logs are scattered like pick-up sticks tossed by giants, creating one of the most photographed scenes in Washington.
However, venture just a quarter-mile in either direction, and you’ll likely have this magnificent landscape to yourself. The beach gets its name from the ruby-like garnet crystals sometimes found in the sand, though I’ve spent countless hours searching with limited success!
Abbey Island, the prominent sea stack just offshore, creates perfect silhouettes during sunset. I’ve timed visits to coincide with negative tides, allowing exploration of normally submerged tide pools teeming with colorful sea stars, anemones, and scurrying crabs. Though technically within Olympic National Park’s busier southern section, Ruby Beach retains a remote feel that captures the wild essence of the Washington coast.
8. Kalaloch Beach 6: The Secret Numerical Shore
Though part of the Kalaloch area, Beach 6 receives far fewer visitors than its neighbors, making it my go-to recommendation for solitude seekers. Unlike the more famous Ruby Beach or Kalaloch’s main beaches, this numbered gem requires knowing exactly where to look, a small, unmarked pullout that most tourists drive right past.
The steep trail descent through wind-twisted shore pines opens suddenly to reveal a pristine stretch of sand often completely devoid of footprints. During storm season, this beach becomes a beachcomber’s paradise. I’ve found Japanese glass floats, curious driftwood sculptures shaped by ocean currents, and once even a message in a bottle!
Marine life abounds in the protected offshore rocks, designated as part of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Harbor seals frequently haul out on these formations during low tide, providing natural wildlife viewing opportunities without the crowds.
9. Leadbetter Point State Park: Peninsula’s Hidden Northern Tip
Perched at the northern tip of the Long Beach Peninsula, Leadbetter Point offers a completely different coastal experience than Olympic beaches. Here, grassy dunes and saltwater marshes create a unique ecosystem where forest gradually yields to sea across miles of undeveloped shoreline.
Though reaching the actual point requires a substantial hike through the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, your efforts will be rewarded with dual-coast views, Willapa Bay to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. During spring and fall migrations, this area transforms into a birdwatcher’s paradise. I’ve spotted peregrine falcons diving for prey and once counted over 20 different shorebird species in a single afternoon!
The beaches here feature fine, soft sand that stretches for miles without interruption. Unlike the rocky, dramatic shores of the Olympic Peninsula, Leadbetter offers gentle, contemplative beauty where the horizon seems to stretch forever.
10. North Beach at Discovery Park: Seattle’s Secret Shore
Though technically within Seattle city limits, North Beach at Discovery Park feels worlds away from urban life. The 2.8-mile loop trail through forest, meadows, and bluffs builds anticipation before revealing this hidden gem, a driftwood-strewn beach with Olympic Mountain and Puget Sound views that will make your jaw drop.
Unlike Discovery Park’s more accessible South Beach, North Beach requires commitment to reach, ensuring fewer visitors. During winter storms, this beach becomes particularly magical as massive waves crash against the shore while you stand beneath towering bluffs that provide shelter from the elements.
Where else can you watch harbor seals, bald eagles, and even the occasional orca while still being within city limits? I’ve spent countless evenings here watching the sunset paint Mount Rainier pink in the distance, all while having this remarkable urban wilderness almost entirely to myself. The lighthouse at West Point adds a classic maritime element to an already perfect coastal scene.
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