La Push is known for its hike-to beaches, untouched wilderness, and vast ocean landscapes. Walking miles through the forest takes you to sandy beaches, thriving with life and often less crowded. There are three main beaches in La Push, which I’ll cover in this article.
La Push is about a 20-minute drive west of Forks, Washington. While it is close to town, to get the most out of the trails and beaches, I’d recommend staying in La Push for at least one night.
La Push has been a long-time favorite of mine. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend a fair amount of time here, hiking the trails, walking the beaches, and getting to know this land. I’m going to walk you through the beaches of La Push and let you see why you should visit this area. Plus, I’ll include a few other things to do in the area.
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La Push is situated in the National Park and on the Quileute Reservation. You will need a National Parks Pass to access most of the beaches and trails in this area. The nearest place to purchase your National Parks Pass is at Mora Ranger Station, however, it is only open in the summer. Otherwise, you can purchase them online or at the Port Angeles Visitor Center, open year-round. National Parks Passes are ~$30 for a 7-day pass or ~$80 for the America the Beautiful yearly pass.
You will need to purchase a permit from the Quileute Indian Reservation to access First Beach. The permits are ~$10 and can be purchased from the Lonesome Creek Store, located near the end of Ocean Drive, next to First Beach. The permit is good for one day and gives you access to oceanfront parking.
PRO TIP: Before you visit, familiarize yourself with the Quileute Reservation rules and guidelines, especially around photography and videography.
First Beach is near the end of Ocean Drive Road, about 16 miles west of Forks, Washington. Of the three main beaches in La Push, First Beach is the most accessible, with parking right off the coast and bathrooms available in the parking lot. This beach does require a parking permit from the Quileute Tribe. It’s well worth the money, though! You get to park close to the beach and explore all day.
First Beach is a smooth, black-sand beach with easy access, meaning there are no large boulders or logs to climb over. There is a jetty on the far end of the beach, allowing you to walk close to the distant sea stacks in the water. I probably wouldn’t attempt this in high tide, though, as the waves can crash pretty hard into the jetty.
My favorite part of this beach? The sealife sightings! With gray whales being spotted in the water and eagles soaring above. The gray whales here can be unbelievably close. You can see their spouts and get glimpses of their backs when the waves wash over them, not too far off the shore.
First Beach is a popular spot for surfing as well. So, if you’ve got a surfboard or just enjoy watching, this is the place to do it. The best waves are typically in the fall and winter months.
An easy, 0.8-mile walk through the forest leads you to a pristine, black-sand beach. With no logs to hurdle over, unlike most beaches in the area, the only feat you have to overcome is the steep walk up coming back on the trail. The hike takes an average of 1 hour to complete, but allow extra time to explore the beach.
My favorite beach in the area is tied between the First and Second Beaches. The reason why I love this beach so much is because of the mix of temperate rainforest with the extremely clean, moody coastline. The beach feels like butter to walk through, and there is plenty of space to find a quiet corner. Plus, it’s a much shorter hike than the Third Beach.
Second Beach is scattered with sea stacks, which are large rocks along the shore. These rocky giants house many types of sea life. Even with the tides coming in, the seastacks create tide pools with endless exploring. Here you can spot sea stars, anemones, and crabs wandering through the tide pools. Because of the very gradual slope on this beach, it may not be accessible during high tides.
The hike itself can be a little technical at the end, having to maneuver around large tree roots, climbing down stairs, and the trail can be a little slick and muddy in places. If you’re looking for a quiet beach with lots of space to roam, though, this is definitely one you should check out!
A 1.3-mile hike leads you to this quiet little beach. The hike is fairly easy with 280 feet of elevation gain. This is the perfect trail for those seeking solitude and a more immersive wilderness experience. One of the main draws to Third Beach for me is the chance to experience the lush forest while also having the reward of ending at a less-visited beach. It’s kind of the best of both worlds.
Third Beach features bright blue waters and a waterfall in the distance, which you can walk to at low tide. There is even a multi-day hike that can be completed, taking you all the way to the HOH River.
The only downfall to this beach is the logs you must climb over before actually hitting the sand. Last time I visited, there was a steady stream flowing beneath me, giving me an unsettling feeling as I balanced beam walked across the logs. It’s well worth the adventure, though!
The ocean is so calm and vibrant here. I wish I had brought a swimsuit with me. Be on the lookout for wildlife in the area, too! Eagles soar overhead, and whales can be spotted spouting just beyond the seastacks.
The hike back up to the trail is steep and can be quite muddy. But the trail is mostly just a peaceful walk through the woods. Bring some snacks and water with you to get the most out of your time at Third Beach.
At the end of Mora Road, 14 miles west of Forks, you’ll find Rialto Beach. This beach is one of the busiest beaches in the area, but there is plenty of parking. There are also vault toilets here. The popularity of this beach is because it is one of the most accessible beaches in Olympic National Park. You can walk right on the sand from the parking lot to the beach.
Rialto Beach is known for its rock structures and the amount of huge pieces of driftwood littering the coast. The sea stacks here offer a sanctuary to birds laying eggs on the rocks, as they are protected from the crashing waves and human interaction.
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What makes this beach famous is the Hole-in-the-Wall Hike. This hike is about 3.5 miles round trip and is quite easy since you’ll just be walking through the sand or on rocks. This hike is only accessible during low tide, so be sure to check the local tide charts posted throughout the park. I would recommend allowing yourself an hour and a half to complete this hike, probably longer if you want to explore the tide pools in depth.
The hike takes you down the beach to a large rock with a hole in it, hence the name. What makes this spot so popular is the tide pools in this area. The sandy beach turns into a pathway of rocks where little critters love to hide.
DON’T MISS: 7 Can’t-Miss Hikes in Olympic National Park: A Quick and Easy Guide
Once you get to the end of the hike, you can walk through the Hole-in-the-Wall, giving you access to the other side of the beach. This is an awesome spot for tide pooling! I’ve seen some of the most colorful hermit crabs here, being bright orange, purple, and pink! Also, watch out for sea stars, snails, and anemones. Don’t forget to watch out on the water’s horizon too, whales are often spotted here, especially around dusk and dawn.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: About a mile down the beach, you will encounter Ellen Creek, a seasonal stream that might need to be crossed. It will most likely require you to take your shoes off to get to the other side, so be sure to pack a towel to dry off with. Last time I visited, the stream was about knee deep, but I’ve heard reports of it being deeper at times. There is an option to go over some washed-up logs further upstream if that sounds more like your type of adventure.
The Mora Ranger Station is located on Mora Road, next to the Mora Campground. Here is where you can find trail information, grab park maps, and arrange any backcountry permits that you may need.
The Mora Ranger Station is only open during the summer, if staffing amounts allow.
Gray Whales are typically only in the area twice a year, during the northern and southern migrations. The first migrational period is from March to May, and again from November to January. My last visit to La Push was during April, so I was able to get many opportunities to see the whales. Harbor seals, California sea lions, and otters are also common sights along the coast.
In the forests and meadows, you have the opportunity to view Roosevelt Elk, black bear, and black-tailed deer. The deer are very common along the roadsides in this area, so be aware while you are driving.
Wildlife viewing is best during dusk and dawn, but animals can be spotted during the day as well. While wildlife viewing, respect the animals and observe from a distance.
I feel like Twilight is something I have to mention for this area. Many of the visitors coming to La Push are looking for sights mentioned in the Twilight series books. La Push is where Jacob Black is from, and the Quileute Tribe is known in Twilight for having the ability to turn themselves into werewolves.
There is a Treaty Line sign stating “No Vampires beyond this point” at the 3-Rivers Resort located on La Push Road. This sign will often have a line of people waiting to take photos with it.
While none of the movie scenes are actually filmed in La Push, First Beach is mentioned in the movies and books, and is where Bella first hears about the cold ones, or vampires.
Visit the Forks Visitor Center for more information on Twilight and pick up a Twilight road trip map!
This is the only lodging available in the actual La Push area. They are native owned so it’s a great place to stay and learn more about the Quileute Tribe. The resort offers many types of accommodations. They have cabins for rent, ocean side or river edge RV parking with full hook-ups, and tent sites.
There are flushing restrooms on the property as well as showers. Even if you aren’t camping, you can purchase a shower token from the Lonesome Creek Store, located on the resort property, for ~$1. The resort does try and emphasise connecting with nature while visiting, so no wi-fi or TVs are included in their rooms.
Mora Campground is located off of Mora Road on the way to Rialto Beach. This is a National Park Campground. It is a great resting point for staying in the La Push area. It’s in a quiet area with lots of big shady trees and birds singing throughout the day.
Only 13 miles from Forks, Washington, and 3 miles from Rialto Beach, Mora Campground is easily accessible to both civilization and the wildness. The campground features 94 campsites with flush toilets, potable water, and a dump station, which is open seasonally. Sites for Mora Campground are first-come, first-served, late September through early May. During the summer months, online reservations are required.
PRO TIP: There are lots of locally sourced firewood sheds all along the route to Mora Campground. If you want to support the local people, I suggest buying from here rather than the bigger stores in town. Some even accept PayPal or Venmo.
FIND OUT: Best Places to Camp In and Around Olympic National Park
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With La Push being a little limited in the restaurant department, it is recommended that you purchase groceries in Forks and do a little cooking yourself. There are a couple of options in the area, though.
CHECK OUT: Where to Eat In and Around Olympic National Park
If you are looking for a mixture of remote forest hikes and black sandy beaches, La Push is a must-see area. With hike-to-beaches, wildlife spotting, and incredible wilderness surrounding you, it’s a destination you have to add to your list.
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.
OLYMPIC TRIP PLANNER: To read or watch all of our content about Olympic National Park, check out our Olympic Homepage
THINGS TO DO: Don’t miss all that Olympic has to offer, including hikes, Lake Crescent, Kalaloch and Ruby beaches, the Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge, and Sol Duc Hot Springs.
WHERE TO EAT: Don’t miss the best places to eat in Olympic National Park
GREAT CITIES TO STAY OR CHECK OUT: Learn about where to camp when visiting Olympic plus things to do in Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Sequim, and Forks.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Find out how to get there, the best time to visit, which is the best entrance, and all about driving around Olympic
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