The 11 Best Washington Beaches In The State!

Have you been dreaming of exploring some of the best beaches in the Pacific Northwest? Then you have come to the right place! I have been exploring the PNW for about a year, and I am obsessed with the beaches Washington state has to offer. They look incredible during sunsets with the sea stacks, wildlife, and stunning cliffs! If you are looking for a perfect road trip, then look no more and check out the best Washinton Beaches in the State!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you. 

Best Time To Visit The Beaches

• Spring: Spring is the second-best time to visit during the year. Temperatures start to mellow but be aware that the beaches might still be rainy. I have camped on the beach during the Spring, and it was raining on us the whole time.
• Summer: This is the best time to visit the beaches. Rain is always a possibility, though, so be prepared for thunderstorms!
• Fall: Campgrounds start to close, and crowds begin to dissipate. I have camped near the beach during the fall, and it is still a great experience. Just note that it is cold!
• Winter: The beaches are stormy during this time of year. But, if you ever need to go hiking in Washington and you are trying to avoid the snow, ❄️ then this is a great alternative.

Washington Beaches Map

Below is a map of Washington coast beaches I have listed in this blog post. You can save this map to use later.

What To Pack

1. Sunscreen: If you get burned easily like my husband, this is needed. >Buy Sunscreen
2. Hiking Boots/Shoes: If you use tennis shoes you can easily hurt your toes hitting a rock by accident (Trust me I have done it so many times). >Check Out My Hiking Shoes
3. Hiking socks: Having the correct socks helps prevent blisters. Smart Wool is probably my favorite brand out there. I also love how they now have pink socks too 🙂 >Buy Hiking Socks
4. Refillable water bottle: I always bring a Hydroflask on all my adventures. They are on the heavier side, but I know for a fact they will not break. I have had a few cheap water bottles break on me before. >Check Prices Now
5. Water: Stay nice and hydrated.
6. Sunglasses: They are beaches, so make sure to pack some sunglasses. >Check Out These Sunglasses
7. Snacks: The best snacks are jerky, nuts, energy bars. Clif Bars are great for hiking.
8. Camera: The camera I have linked was one of the first cameras I started using on my travels. The Sony A6000 is an excellent camera for people that want to start improving at travel photography.  >Buy Sony Camera Here
9. First Aid Kit: This is one of the first things I bought when I first started going on adventures. It is super portable. >Buy This Awesome First Aid Kit Here
10. Day Pack to carry all your things: The REI bag I have linked, we have had for seven years now, and it is still going strong! >Buy This Great Quality Backpack
11. Leggings or Hiking Pants: I love wearing leggings while hiking because I love how comfy they are but don’t forget that the PNW is known for being rainy. I still try to wear leggings as much as I can and only wear them in Olympic NP if I know it won’t rain that day. Either way, here are some excellent hiking pants that are super durable. >Click For My Favorite Hiking Pants
12. Breathable sweat-wicking shirts: Love this Patagonia Shirt! >Click To See My Fav shirt to wear on the trails
13. Sports Bra: For women.
14. Jacket: It can get pretty chilly. Bring a Jacket! >Buy My Favorite Jacket
15. Light Jacket or Sweater: The PNW weather can be unpredictable. That is why I bring sweaters with me every time I go hiking. >Buy This Awesome Fleece Sweater
16. Rain Jacket: In case it starts pouring on you, which is always a possibility in the PNW. >Buy A Great Rainjacket Here
17. Tripod: This is an optional item, but it is excellent for getting the ideal sunset pictures. >Check out this tripod
18. Headlamp: A headlamp is an absolute must if you want to do sunset! It is a lot more portable and easier to use than a flashlight. >Buy A Headlamp Now

Best Washington Beaches

Ruby Beach Washington State

Ruby Beach is probably my favorite beach in Washington. The views here are out of this world, and the best part is that dogs are allowed! I explored this beach in the fall with my dogs, and they loved it! Like all the other beaches, it is best to explore during the sunset to get some fantastic colors!

Even when there are enormous crowds, Ruby Beach doesn’t feel crowded. There is just so much to explore here as you can hike up to 6 miles! But, if you are not in the mood to hike 6 miles, don’t worry as you can leisurely walk around and explore a lot less then that to get amazing views.

Cape Disappointment State Park

Lighthouses stand atop windswept cliffs, and waves collide with a crash where the Pacific Ocean meets the Columbia River. This is what Cape Disappointment is all about. There is so much to do at Cape Disappointment. It is filled with so much history and beautiful views. You can hike through old-growth forest or around freshwater lakes, saltwater marshes, and ocean tidelands. Or you can visit the Lewis and Clark Museum. Out of all the beaches mentioned in this list, Cape Disappointment probably has the most activities to do.

The best beaches in the area are Deadman’s Cove and Waikiki Beach. Please note that a discover pass is required to explore this 2,023-acre park.

Ocean Shores

Ocean shores is a perfect vacation getaway for the weekend. It is a great spot to get away from the busy city life to a more relaxed, fun, beach vibe. The beach stretches for around 7 miles, and there are many activities to do on the beach like boogie boarding, moped riding, and kiteflying. There are many restaurants and hotels, so this beach is not as remote as the other beaches on this list.

Long Beach

Long Beach is a great place to relax and take a long walk with the family. My dogs loved this beach. We spotted many bald eagles on this beach. They were everywhere so keep your eyes peeled. We stayed at this fantastic hotel that allows dogs and it is located right next to the beach. I highly recommend this hotel. >>>Book Your Stay Here

Rialto Beach

This is the first Washington beach I explored, and it didn’t disappoint! First of all, to fully enjoy this beach, you have to explore it during low tide, and you have to hike the whole 4 miles. Don’t worry, the hike is straightforward. Think of it as a stroll on the beach.

When you get to the end of the hike, some stunning sea stacks are jetting out of the water. The famous hole in the wall is also located in this area. This “Hole in the Wall” can only be accessed during low tide. You can check when low tide is here. I would hang out in this area for a while. There are many places to explore and enjoy around here.

I wrote a whole blog post on Rialto Beach. Check It Out Here

Ozette Triangle

The Ozette Triangle is a great one-day backpacking trip through the Washington Coast. The trail is shaped like an equilateral triangle with the parking lot at its apex. The trail is around 9 miles with an elevation gain of 100ft. The trail can honestly be done during a day hike, but backpacking to this beach is so much more worth it. You can experience the magnificent sunset and not feel like you are in a hurry to get to your car.

There are three main areas to set camp. There is Cape Alava, Wedding Rocks, and Sand Point. Cape Alava probably has the best views to camp.

Orcas Island Spring Bay

Spring Bay is located on one of the famous San Juan Islands, Orcas Island. It is a fantastic area for kayaking around Orcas Island or merely relaxing surrounded by wildlife. There are many eagles, harbor seals, and sea life in this location. Nearby you get access to trails at Obstruction Pass State Park. This beach is very secluded and provides panoramic views of Obstruction, Blakely, Lopez, and Shaw Islands. If you are looking for a secluded beach getaway from all the city noise, then this is the perfect spot for you. There is also a lodge located on the beach.

Second Beach

Second Beach is a perfect beach to do some camping. There are many fire 🔥 pits located throughout the beach, and the views are stunning. What I love about this beach is just how secluded it felt. We had to hike for about a mile through the rainforest to get to the beach. Then we had to climb over many pieces of driftwood. It was a little more challenging to get to than the other beaches, but we were ok with the small challenge.

Overall it is an excellent spot to camp at with a group of friends or family. Just make sure to bring the correct equipment.

I wrote a whole blog post on Second Beach: Check It Out Here

Cape Flattery

Cape Flattery is the northernmost part of the contingent United States. It is known to be one of the most beautiful destinations on the Washington coast. The Makah Tribe manages Cape Flattery. You can buy a permit for parking at the Washburn’s General Store before getting to the site. This permit is suitable for a whole year and also works for Shi Shi beach.

It is easy to spot wildlife in this area as eagles and sea lions frequent here. The official trail is around 1.5 miles round trip, and it is rated as easy. But be aware that it can get muddy, and the boardwalks can get slippery!

There is no official way to get on the actual beach, but the overlook views are worth it, in my opinion. Make sure to also check out views of Tatoosh Island and the cute lighthouse.

Shi Shi Beach

If you are looking for a secluded beach filled with stunning sea stacks, then you have found a perfect spot. Shi Shi beach is well known to be one of the best one-day beach backpacking trips. You can do the trail in a day as it is only 8 miles round trip and has an elevation gain 200ft.

It is highly recommended to stay the night at Shi Shi beach, though, as the sunset views are known to be phenomenal.

But you do need to get two permits to this beach. A National Parks Permit and a Makah Reservation Permit to camp at this wonderful beach.

Kalaloch Beach

Kalaloch Beach is a great place to explore with family and friends. What is great about Kalaloch is that the campgrounds are located right next to the beach. If you are lucky enough you might get a campsite with a beautiful view of the beach! You can fall asleep with the sound of the roaring waves, which is my fav way to fall asleep.

There is also the famous tree of life shown in the picture above. Just make sure not to hang from it as the tree is starting to move more and more every year.

I loved this beach for my dogs. We were able to walk along the beach for a while and enjoy the waves and water. They were absolutely delighted with the water.

Most Asked Questions

Are Washington Beaches Cold

To put it bluntly, yes, they are so freaking cold. But that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the beach. You can still swim in the beaches but wearing a wetsuit is highly recommended. Many people do surfing on the Washington Beaches. You can learn more about Washington Surfing here.

Are Fires Allowed on Washington State Beaches

Specific beaches do allow fires 🔥 . It is recommended to use driftwood or dead trees. Try to start the fire below the high tide line so that the fire can easily wash away. Always put out the fire before leaving or going to sleep. And of course, check to make sure there are no burn bans in the area.

Are Dogs Allowed On Washington Beaches

Sadly only some beaches allow dogs. And they have to remain with a leash. Here are some of the beaches that allow dogs:

• Ruby Beach
• Kalaloch Beach
• Cape Flattery
• Cape Disappointment
• Ocean Shores (There is an off-leash dog beach)

Can You Camp On Washington Beaches

Yes, you can camp on certain beaches. Here are the beaches I have listed that you can camp at:

• Rialto Beach
• Ozette Triangle
• Second Beach
• Shi Shi Beach

Final Thoughts On Best Beaches In Washington State

Thanks for reading about the best Washington beaches! I hope this helped you plan your next trip! I have explored so much of the Olympic Peninsula, that I have created a TON of other posts. Make sure to read more about it below!

• All About Second Beach Camping
• A guide to Rialto Beach
• All about the Hurricane Ridge Hikes
• The Best Olympic National Park Hikes
• Backpacking the High Divide
• Backpacking Enchanted Valley
• The Perfect 2-3 Day Olympic National Park Itinerary

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