How to Visit Kalaloch and Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park

Kalaloch, pronounced Clay-lock, is one of the most visited areas of Olympic National Park. With a mixture of sandy beaches, tidepooling, and hiking trails in large old-growth forests, it’s no wonder that so many people are drawn to Kalaloch.

I have visited Kalaloch many times and will always add this area to my Olympic itinerary because of the ease of access to the beaches, the amazing coastal sunsets, and the serenity that you feel while walking through the forests.

Kalaloch can be explored in 1/2 a day but with so many things to do, you may find yourself wanting more time. Read on for how to plan your perfect day.

Permits and Passes

Since Kalaloch is part of the Olympic National Park, you will need a National Parks Pass to access the trails and campground. The pass can be purchased at the Kalaloch Ranger Station, the Port Angeles Visitor Center, or on the National Park Website. National Park Passes are ~$30 for a 7-day pass or ~$80 for a yearly America the Beautiful Pass. You will need a pass even if you are just camping at the Kalaloch Campground.

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Getting to Kalaloch

Kalaloch is located right off Highway 101, 34 miles south of Forks, Washington, and 35 miles north of Quinault. Kalaloch spans 10 miles of the Highway 101 drive, from Beach 1 to Ruby Beach. While a visit to Kalaloch can be completed in one day, many people choose to stay the night at the Kalaloch Campground or at the Lodge.

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1. Kalaloch Campground and Day-Use Area

Your adventure to Kalaloch is most likely going to start here. Even if you have no desire to camp at the campground, the day use area is located right at the campground check-in. There is a parking lot with bathrooms and a picnic area. From the parking lot, a staircase leads you down to the beach. My favorite time to visit this beach is at golden hour, right before the sun sets.

Kalaloch Beach is great for families because it has easy access, with a long sandy beach where you can walk and beachcomb for hours. If you decide you want to take a dip in the salty waters, just use caution, as drift logs do wash up in the tides.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: One thing I will note about the main beach is that it’s known for thousands of dead crabs washing up along the shore. It’s not necessarily the best sight to see, but it does add an interesting aspect to this area.

As for the Kalaloch Campground itself, it books up fast! Even in the off-season, when the sites are first-come, first-served, it can be hard to get a spot here. I recommend coming early to snag your site, then going out for your exploration of the day. Online Reservations are required for this campground from May through September. The campground has 160 camp sites. It features flush toilets, drinking water, and a dump station, which is ~$10/dump. Some of the campsites have ocean views! Find more campgrounds nearby in our article Best Places to Camp In and Around Olympic National Park.

PRO TIP: Many of the campsites cannot accommodate large RVs, so do your research before booking a site. Also, there are no RV hookups available.

2. The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life is one of the most iconic photo opportunities in Olympic National Park. It’s accessible from the Kalaloch Campground or day-use area. Located right on the beach, the Tree of Life is on display for anyone to see. What makes this ancient Sitka Spruce so appealing is that it has defied all odds and is still thriving despite years of erosion of the sand and dirt beneath its roots. It has become a symbol of resilience.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Due to coastal storms, the erosion is happening at a more rapid rate, causing part of the roots to lie on the ground. While hope is still high that this tree will outlive us all, there is doubt that it will stand tall throughout 2025. Please do not climb on the tree, admire it from a distance.

3. The Beaches 1, 2, & 3

Kalaloch has over 5 miles of beach access with 4 main beaches, numbered 1 through 4. Each one has its own personality. The only one with a designated parking lot is Beach 4, which is the most popular of the beaches. The other 3 beaches only have pull-outs on the highway.

Beach 1 is located on Highway 101, 2.5 miles south of Kalaloch Campground. The trail to the beach is a short stroll through a mossy forest. There are steep stairs at the end, heading down to the beach. Once you get to the end, large pieces of driftwood are strewn across the beach, making it hard to access during high tide.

Beach 2 is accessed via a 0.2-mile trail, which is short but challenging. The trail is steep, overgrown, and less developed. Because of this, Beach 2 is perfect for someone looking for untouched wilderness to find some solitude. I would check the tide charts, though, because similar to Beach 1, this location has a plethora of logs you need to climb over to access the sand and may not be accessible during high tide.

Beach 3 is a short but somewhat steep 0.3-mile hike. This beach is known for its tidepooling and marine life viewing. If you are looking for a quiet place to stroll through the sand and find tidepools, this is a great option.

4. Beach 4

A 1.1-mile out-and-back trail leads you down to Beach 4. If you are up for a little adventure, this is one that you should check out. Upon entering the trail, there is a fork. Stay straight for a short walk to an overlook of the ocean. If you fork left, you’ll start the descent to the beach. There are educational plaques along the way telling you more about the forests and the sea life around. The hike down to the beach is a pretty steep climb down via a long staircase. It ends at a wooden bridge and a rocky drop-off.

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There is a rope at the bottom to lower yourself to the beach. It’s a more technical trail than most. I’ve seen many people climb all the way to the end and decide to turn around. But the reward of the coast is well worth the journey.

If you walk right, towards the large rocks, low tide provides you with some of the most amazing pools of sea stars, anemones, and crabs. This is one of the best tide pools I’ve seen in Olympic National Park. The beach itself is made up of black stones and some sandy spots.

Just remember, the climb back up can be a challenge, so bring lots of water and take your time! There are also vault toilets at the trailhead if you need them.

5. Kalaloch Creek Nature Trail

This 1.5-mile walk through the forest is an easy trail with only 26 feet of elevation gain. Starting from the Kalaloch day-use area, this trail takes you across Highway 101 into the rich coastal rainforest. This trail has wooden pathways over the creek, but can still be muddy and wet in sections.

The brush can be a little overgrown at times, but it is still worth a visit for a peaceful stroll through the forest. The nature trail features towering Sitka Spruce, Western Red Cedar, and Hemlock Trees. Salmon berry bushes line the path, which makes for great berry picking in peak season. You’ll also get glimpses of mushrooms, skunk cabbage, and maybe even a few critters like frogs, black-tail deer, and the infamous Roosevelt elk.

6. Big Cedar Tree Trail

Driving 5 miles north of Kalaloch Campground, you’ll see the signs for Big Cedar Tree Trail on the left-hand side of the road. This easy, 0.3-mile round-trip walk takes you through a lush coastal forest featuring a big Western Red Cedar. This tree towers above the forest at 175 feet tall. The Big Cedar partially collapsed during a storm in 2014, but it is still standing tall. It also serves as a nurse log, nurturing new growth in the forest.

PRO TIP: The last time I visited this trail, the road was in really bad shape. I’m not sure that a sedan would be able to make it around all of the potholes. Hopefully, the road gets fixed soon, but it’s something to note before visiting.

7. Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach is one of the most iconic beaches in Olympic National Park. Many people are pulled here because of the dramatic ocean views and diverse rock formations along the coast. Ruby Beach is a very popular destination, while there is a large parking lot here, it can still fill up quickly. I recommend visiting early to ensure space is available to park. There is also a vault toilet in the parking lot, as well as a bulletin with the tide chart posted.

A steady walk down to the beach leads you to a field of washed-up logs. The only way to access the beach is to climb over the driftwood, but don’t let that intimidate you. Take it slow and steady, and you will be rewarded!

This beach offers excellent tide pooling opportunities, wildlife spotting, and endless views. During low tide, you have the chance to explore a variety of tide pools. You’ll find colorful sea stars, green anemones, and other little critters that call the ocean their home. Plus, it’s common to spot other things here, like otters and eagles.

PRO TIP: 3 miles down the beach is where the Hoh River meets the sea; you can walk through the sand to admire the convergence.

8. Kalaloch Lodge and Mercantile

Kalaloch Lodge is half a mile south of the Kalaloch Campground. Whether you are looking for lodging or just a place to hang out, the Kalaloch Lodge and Mercantile has a lot to offer.

The Kalaloch Lodge has traditional lodge rooms, cabins, and even has a group campsite for rent. The lodge sits along the cliffside, so many of the cabins around the property have ocean views. The lodge also hosts many events throughout the year.

The Kalaloch Mercantile is your one-stop shop for all of your camping necessities. They offer a wide variety of items in the Mercantile, like food, camping supplies, and souvenirs. They even have fresh fruit, which I found surprising, and a coffee shop! If you’re looking for firewood for your camp, this is where you’ll find it as well.

9. Kalaloch Ranger Station

This is a great stop for finding updated trail information, looking at the local tide charts, and getting to talk to a Ranger face-to-face. Inside the Ranger Station, you’ll find exhibits, books for sale, and local maps. There is also a really cool whale skull outside that can be viewed year-round. The Ranger Station itself is only open Memorial Day through the end of September.

Throughout the summer, they offer Ranger-led programs like star gazing and beach walks in the area. Check the website for up-to-date information.

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Wildlife Spotting

With the mixture of dense forests and vast oceans, wildlife is abundant in the Kalaloch region of Olympic National Park. While you’re taking a stroll through the sand, keep your eye on the water horizon to catch glimpses of migrating whales. Gray whales, orcas, and humpbacks have been spotted along the coast. The migration season offers a heightened chance of seeing them, with the best times being April-May and October-November.

Some species don’t migrate, though, calling Kalaloch home year-round. Seals, sea lions, and sea otters are often seen lying around the sea stacks along the coast. Sometimes you can even spot puffins nesting in the treetops of these large rocks.

On land, the forests provide a protected home for a variety of mammals. Black bear, black-tailed deer, Roosevelt elk, and even mink can be seen throughout this dense coastal forest.

Where to Eat:

As with most places in Olympic National Park, Kalaloch is a remote part of the park with limited dining options. There is one restaurant, located at the Kalaloch Lodge. It is recommended to pick up groceries in Forks, although the Mercantile does offer some quick things like canned goods.

Creekside Restaurant: Located in Kalaloch Lodge. Creekside Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They emphasize local food, with over half of their menu options being sourced within a 150-mile radius. The menu can be a bit limited here, though. For breakfast, they offer a classic egg dish, French toast, oatmeal, and pancakes. For lunch, you can find soups, salads, and burgers. For dinner, they have a variety of seafood, mushroom, and burger options. It’s a great spot for finding locally sourced cuisine!

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Know Before You Go:

• Check local tide charts before venturing onto the shore; they are located at most day-use areas and at the Kalaloch Ranger Station.
• There is limited cell service throughout Olympic National Park; be sure to download offline maps and pick up an area brochure at the Ranger Station.
• Use caution while heading into the water; never turn your back on the waves.
• Because Kalaloch is home to a variety of animals, including bears, be aware of your surroundings and admire these creatures from a distance.
• Always leave no trace and respect the land.

If you’re looking for sandy beaches with colorful sunsets and tons of tidepooling possibilities, Kalaloch is the perfect destination to add to your Olympic itinerary. With miles of walkable beaches and lush coastal forests, Kalaloch is a great spot for all nature enthusiasts.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Most travelers want to visit the most popular sites and still avoid the crowds. We created a step-by-step itinerary so you can visit the best places at the right times.