As a state full of special places, Cape Flattery has to be one of the most special places in Washington. As the most northwestern point in the continental United States, it offers a unique and breathtaking experience, as only Alaska and Hawaii are located farther west. Situated at the tip of the Olympic Peninsula, Cape Flattery provides stunning views – even on a foggy day, you can see across the bay to Canada. Also notably, it’s the oldest non-Native permanently named landmark in Washington. While the journey to reach Cape Flattery can be somewhat tedious, like many spots in this state, it’s more than worth the effort.
Named by British explorer James Cook in 1778, Cape Flattery is located about 2 hours from Port Angeles – the largest nearby city – and approximately 4.5 hours from Seattle. Around 78 miles from Port Angeles, the drive takes some time due to the narrow, winding two-lane highway that hugs the coastline. With tight curves and absolutely zero passing opportunities, speeds rarely exceed 40 mph. Nonetheless, the scenic, beautiful drive is part of the charm, taking you through several small coastal towns, including Pysht, Clallam Bay, Sekiu, and Neah Bay.
It’s essential to note that Cape Flattery is not operated by the U.S. government and is managed by the Makah Indian Nation. As a result, national park passes (including those for seniors and veterans) are not accepted. Visitors are required to purchase a Makah Recreation Pass to access the area. The pass costs $20 per vehicle and can be purchased online at makah.com or in person at several local locations, including the Makah Tribal Council building, Warm House Café, Washburn’s General Store, the Makah Mini Mart, or at a small booth near the roadblock leading to the Cape Flattery trailhead, which is where we purchased our pass.
As the most northwestern point in the contiguous United States, Cape Flattery is a must-visit if you ever find yourself in the northwest region of Washington State. We didn’t get a chance to go during our first trip, so we made it a priority on our second, and I’m so happy we did. We can now say we’ve stood at the very edge of the Lower 48! The trail itself is fun, and the coastline is spectacular. You’ll be surrounded by rocky cliffs meeting vibrant turquoise waves, with sea caves and alcoves carved into the shoreline and massive sea stacks rising dramatically from the water.
From the parking lot, the trail to Cape Flattery begins with a descent down a well maintained dirt hill. The path remains dirt for the first 0.4 miles or so before morphing into a boardwalk. This narrow, somewhat rugged boardwalk leads you the rest of the way to the main viewing platform, putting you officially at the “most northwestern point.” Here, you can also get a clear view of Canada and the Cape Flattery Lighthouse on Tatoosh Island. Along the trail, other viewpoints offer fantastic views of the coastline and ocean below.
One thing that genuinely surprised me about Cape Flattery was how crowded it was (my strategically taken photos don’t do it justice). Given how isolated it is from most other areas of Washington State and places like Olympic National Park, I simply wasn’t expecting it. We found ourselves in what I affectionately call “The Parking Lot Hunger Games,” where multiple cars compete for a single open spot. The parking lot is small and narrow, so you may have to wait a while. The trail itself was also fairly busy. While it wasn’t anywhere near as packed as other trails I’ve hiked (cough, Zion National Park in the middle of summer, cough), we were never alone for long.
The viewing decks, especially the main one, were no different. We had to patiently wait a few minutes for others to snap their photos and move along before we could step in and snap ours. Unfortunately, there were a few people setting up camp, refusing to budge and blocking the view for everyone else who was waiting.
Overall, while there are countless incredible spots to visit in Washington State, if your time is limited, I highly recommend making Cape Flattery a priority. Though it takes some work to reach, it’s just a long drive and not a strenuous hike, making it very doable as long as you’re willing to make the effort. As with many popular destinations, arriving as early as possible is best to avoid the crowds. We arrived around 2pm and had to compete for parking and space at the viewpoints. It wasn’t horrible, but it was there. We still throughly enjoyed our visit nonetheless. Therefore, if the afternoon is the only time you can go, don’t fret. It’s still fun and absolutely worth it. Make sure to swing by the far northwest tip of the continental U.S.!
