Located alongside the 73 miles of Washington State’s coastline are grand and unique rock formations known as Sea Stacks. The Sea Stacks were formed over millions of years by powerful ocean water crashing against the cliffs, eroding the rock. First caves were formed, then arches once the cave broke from the other side, and eventually, a single sea stack emerged after the arch collapsed. There is no one point to view these odd and iconic Sea Stack rocks, with at least a dozen beaches providing opportunities to see them – some from afar, and some from up close. Some of these include Shi Shi Beach, Rialto Beach, Ruby Beach, and La Push Beach. While all offer wonderful views of these stand-alone rocks out in the ocean or along the beach, each offers different and unique perspectives and rock formations.
We visited two Sea Stack viewing locations – La Push Beach and Rialto Beach.
La Push Beach is technically a series of three beaches: First, Second, and Third Beach. Each offers different views of the sea stacks located nearby, with the main differences being that First Beach is within a stone’s throw of a parking lot and Second and Third Beach require short hikes to access them (1 and 1.6 miles, respectfully).
All three beaches are located within the Quileute Native American Reservation and just outside Olympic National Park. Second Beach is the longest and flattest of the three, and usually the most populated. Third Beach is the least visited, as the hike is somewhat treacherous due to slippery areas from the harsh coastal weather.
We visited First Beach. It’s the most northern of the three, approximately 14 miles or 10 minutes from the small town of Forks (Forks, Washington: The Home of Twilight. ✨) and located within the heart of the Quileute Indian Reservation. As mentioned, it sits just outside the Olympic National Park boundary. It’s a popular beach, as it’s the only one that offers drive-up access and does not require a hike. It’s also home to the Quileute Oceanside Resort. First Beach is reminiscent of the beach that Bella and Jacob walk along in the first Twilight movie, as it’s said in the book that La Push Beach is where they were. Do not be fooled though, as that scene was actually filmed on the Oregon coast. 🙃
First Beach was interesting to visit, with millions of small, oval shaped pebbles in place of sand. The waves were extremely rough and the wind bitingly cold, and we did not see a single soul attempting to swim or surf. Both are allowed, but only recommended during the summer months.
Rialto Beach is approximately 11 miles or 20 minutes from La Push and visiting both will require driving back the way you came, as it cannot be accessed via the coastline. A major difference between La Push and Rialto is that Rialto is located within Olympic National Park, so federal, and not tribal rules, apply. Another difference is the driftwood, as Rialto is absolutely filled to the brim with massive drift logs that have washed up on shore from the rough waves, lodging themselves semi-permanently onto the coastline. Many consider it to be a “tree graveyard”. It’s a feature unique to Rialto Beach and a sight to behold.
The brisk cold wind and crashing waves were also present at Rialto Beach, and one can stand upon the enormous driftwood hanging over the aggressive waves, viewing them from above. Also, while it’s technically part of Olympic National Park, we did not have to pay or flash my National Park Pass to access it. Due to being part of the National Park system, there are also porta-potty style bathrooms and campgrounds available.
Lastly, for those staying in Seattle who want to visit these beaches, I’d strongly advise against it. From Seattle to both La Push and Rialto Beach, it’s approximately a 4-hour drive – one way. While technically doable in a day, it’s not something I’d recommend or want to do myself. We stayed in the medium-sized town of Port Angeles, located about 1 hour and 20 minutes away. Although still a bit of a drive, it’s much more appealing than 4 hours. If that is still too far for you, you can also stay in the famed small town of Forks, Washington, which is only 20 minutes away. Your lodging options will simply be more limited than in Port Angeles.
Overall, no visit to the western half of picturesque Washington state would be complete without a visit to the rugged and impressive coastline. There aren’t many beaches located within the United States that offer such views, as many in California, Florida, and the East Coast are your typical, flat, sandy, run-of-the-mill beaches. While La Push and Rialto Beach aren’t ideal for swimming or surfing during non-summer months, they are still well worth a visit anytime, as they offer an epic view of the striking sea stacks. These massive rocks, some standing miles out into the water, are unique, distinctive, and awe-inspiring. Make it a day and also visit The Hoh Rainforest of Olympic National Park., located approximately one hour away!
