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Beaches 1, 2, 3, 4
(Includes Kalaloch Lodge)
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Beaches 1, 2, 3, and 4 in Olympic National Park are all part of a beautiful and rugged stretch of the southern Olympic Peninsula coastline known as the Kalaloch Coastline, where dense coastal forest meets the open Pacific Ocean. Located along U.S. Highway 101 in the Kalaloch area, this section of shoreline is known for its wide beaches, massive driftwood, rocky outcrops, tidepools and powerful ocean surf.
Short trails lead from Highway 101 through thick stands of Sitka spruce and other coastal forest before reaching the shoreline below. Once you step onto the beach, you are surrounded by the classic scenery that makes the Olympic Coast so special, including long stretches of sand, offshore rocks, changing tides and waves rolling in from the Pacific.
Low tide can reveal tidepools filled with sea stars, anemones and other marine life, while higher tides can dramatically change how much shoreline is accessible. Because of this, it is always important to know the tide schedule before spending time along this coastline.
Kalaloch Lodge is situated in the middle of this incredible coastal area and makes a great basecamp for exploring these four beaches. The lodge overlooks the Pacific Ocean and offers lodging, cabins, dining and convenient access to the coast.
With Beaches 1 through 4, Kalaloch Lodge, and miles of rugged Pacific shoreline all located in the same general area, the Kalaloch coastline is an easy place to spend several hours or even an entire day. Whether you are walking the beach, exploring tidepools, watching the surf or simply enjoying the views, this stretch of Olympic National Park gives you a wonderful look at the wild and beautiful Washington coast.
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One of the many stunning beaches in Olympic National Park.
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This is an example of what the signs look like for Beaches 1-4 in the Kalaloch Coastline beaches in Olympic National Park. Some of the parking areas area are very limited.
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Beach 1
Beach 1 is located along the Kalaloch coastline on the southwest side of Olympic National Park, directly off U.S. Highway 101. The Beach 1 trailhead is approximately 2 miles south of Kalaloch Lodge, making it an easy stop while exploring the beaches and attractions of the Kalaloch area.
From the trailhead, a short 0.1-mile trail leads through the coastal forest toward the Pacific Ocean. The trail begins fairly gently before becoming steeper as it approaches the shoreline. Stairs and a downhill section eventually bring you to the beach, where you may need to carefully work your way around rocks, driftwood and downed trees before reaching the more open shoreline.
One of the unique features of Beach 1 is the Spruce Burl Trail, a short loop trail (just a few hundred feet) that branches off the main Beach 1 Trail. This interesting little trail winds through a coastal forest filled with Sitka spruce trees that have developed unusually large burls. These massive, rounded growths create some fascinating shapes along the trunks of the trees and make this short walk well worth taking. The trail includes a narrow bridge, exposed tree roots and sections where grasses and berry vines may grow close to the trail. It is a great opportunity to take a closer look at the thick coastal forest that grows just above the Pacific shoreline.
Once on Beach 1, you are surrounded by the classic scenery of the Olympic Coast, including pounding Pacific surf, large pieces of driftwood and forested bluffs. The rocky entrance to the beach adds to its rugged character, while the more open sections of shoreline provide plenty of room for walking and enjoying the ocean.
Beach 1 has a wild, natural feel and is a great place to enjoy both the coastal forest and the Pacific Ocean during the same stop. As with all beaches along the Olympic Coast, be sure to know the tide schedule and pay close attention to changing surf conditions.
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Spruce Burl Trail Loop at Beach 1 in Olympic National Park.
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Beach 1, Olympic National Park.
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Beach 1 in Olympic National Park.
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Beach 2
Beach 2 is one of the lesser-known beaches along the Kalaloch coastline in Olympic National Park, and it is a great place to experience this rugged stretch of the Washington coast without the crowds found at some of the park’s more famous beaches. Beach 2 is located along U.S. Highway 101 about one mile south of Kalaloch Lodge. The trailhead is marked with a Beach 2 sign, but parking is extremely limited, with only a few spaces located along both sides of the highway.
The trail to Beach 2 is short, but it is somewhat steep. The trail is only about 400 feet long and loses approximately 60 feet in elevation. It begins with a short, steep climb from Highway 101 before leveling out through the coastal forest. The trail passes through impressive Sitka spruce trees, including several trees covered with the unusual large burls that are common along this portion of the Kalaloch coast. Near the end, the trail drops more steeply down the bluff toward the beach.
Once you reach the bottom, you may have to climb over or around large driftwood logs before reaching the open beach. These logs are constantly rearranged by winter storms and high tides, so the entrance can look quite different from one visit to the next.
Beach 2 itself has some rocks, but is mainly a sandy beach that stretches for miles along the Pacific Ocean. We really enjoy the quieter, undeveloped feeling of this beach. There are no major facilities or developed attractions here. Instead, Beach 2 is all about walking the shoreline, watching the waves, exploring the driftwood and enjoying the wild Olympic National Park coastline.
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Beach 2 in Olympic National Park.
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Beach 2 in Olympic National Park.
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Beach 3
Beach 3 is another beautiful and relatively quiet stretch of the Kalaloch coastline in Olympic National Park. Beach 3 is located along U.S. Highway 101, about three miles north of Kalaloch Lodge, and roughly one mile south of Beach 4. The trailhead is marked by a brown National Park Service sign along a gentle curve in the highway. Parking is limited to a small roadside pullout with room for only several vehicles.
The trail to Beach 3 is short, measuring approximately 0.25 to 0.3 mile one way, but it does involve a fairly steep descent. The trail begins on gravel and gradually works its way downhill through the coastal forest. After a couple of switchbacks, the route becomes steeper and includes several sets of wooden steps. Altogether, the trail drops about 80 feet before reaching the beach. Some portions of the gravel trail can be loose and slippery, so it is worth taking your time, especially on the hike back up.
At the bottom of the final stairs, the trail reaches deep sand near a small creek. To the left are interesting rock formations, small coves and areas that can provide good tidepooling opportunities when the tide is low. A rocky point limits how far you can easily walk in that direction. To the right, however, the shoreline opens up and continues for a considerable distance toward Beach 4.
We really enjoy Beach 3 because it combines a short forest hike with a rugged section of the Olympic coastline. Expect a mix of sandy beach, driftwood, rocky outcroppings and tidepools, along with wide views of the Pacific Ocean. It generally feels quieter and less developed than many of Olympic National Park’s better-known beaches.
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Trail to Beach 3 in Olympic National Park.
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Trail to Beach 3 in Olympic National Park.
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Trail to Beach 3 in Olympic National Park.
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Beach 3 in Olympic National Park.
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Beach 3 in Olympic National Park.
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Beach 3 in Olympic National Park.
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Beach 3 in Olympic National Park.
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Beach 3 in Olympic National Park.
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Beach 4
Beach 4 is one of the most interesting beaches along the Kalaloch coastline in Olympic National Park, especially if you enjoy tidepools and exploring rocky sections of the Pacific coast. The Beach 4 Trailhead is located directly along U.S. Highway 101, approximately 4 miles north of Kalaloch Lodge. This makes Beach 4 an easy stop for anyone staying at the lodge or exploring the Kalaloch area. Unlike Beaches 1, 2 and 3, Beach 4 has a large paved parking area, along with vault toilets, a picnic table and trash receptacles.
From the trailhead, you have two choices. A short, fairly level gravel trail leads to an overlook above the beach, providing a wide view of the coastline. The main trail to the beach heads in the opposite direction and descends through the coastal forest. The entire hike is about 0.4 mile round trip, with roughly 150 feet of elevation gain on the return hike. Much of the descent follows wooden steps as the trail works its way downhill toward the ocean.
Near the bottom, the trail reaches a small footbridge before continuing down toward the shoreline. The final section can be uneven, and driftwood, rocks and changing beach conditions can make access a little different from one visit to the next.
Beach 4 is especially well known for its tidepools. At low tide, you may see sea stars, anemones, mussels and other marine life among the rocks. The beach also has rocky outcroppings, stretches of sand, large driftwood logs and excellent views of the Pacific Ocean.
We really enjoy Beach 4 because there is so much to explore in a relatively small area. It is one of the best places along the Kalaloch coastline for tidepooling and exploring the rocky shoreline. Be sure to check the tide tables before heading onto the rocks, and allow plenty of time to enjoy this fascinating section of the Olympic National Park coast.
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Beach 4 in Olympic National Park.
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Beach 4 in Olympic National Park.
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Beach 4 in Olympic National Park.
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Beach 4 in Olympic National Park.
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Beach 4 in Olympic National Park.
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Kalaloch Lodge
Kalaloch Lodge is one of the best places to stay while exploring the southern coastline of Olympic National Park. Located directly along U.S. Highway 101 overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the lodge sits in the heart of the Kalaloch area, with Beach 1, Beach 2, Beach 3 and Beach 4 all located nearby. This makes Kalaloch Lodge an excellent basecamp for exploring this beautiful stretch of coastline, including its sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, tidepools and massive driftwood logs.
Kalaloch Lodge offers several different types of accommodations. You can stay in the historic Main Lodge, choose one of the individual cabins, or stay in nearby Seacrest House, which offers more traditional hotel-style rooms. Main Lodge rooms have private bathrooms, Wi-Fi access and either one or two queen beds, with some rooms overlooking Kalaloch Creek and the Pacific Ocean. The cabins provide a more private and rustic experience, and several include kitchens or kitchenettes, fireplaces or wood-burning stoves, and ocean views. Pet-friendly lodging is also available in select cabins.
One of the main amenities at Kalaloch Lodge is the Creekside Restaurant, which serves locally inspired meals in a casual setting near the ocean. The Kalaloch Mercantile is also located on the property and carries groceries, snacks, beverages, camping supplies, gifts and other essentials.
We really like the location of Kalaloch Lodge because so much of the Olympic coastline is within easy reach. You can spend the day exploring Beaches 1 through 4, walk the broad beach directly below the lodge, or drive north to nearby Ruby Beach. Whether you stay in the Main Lodge, Seacrest House or one of the cabins, Kalaloch Lodge provides a comfortable and convenient place to experience one of the wildest and most scenic sections of Olympic National Park.
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Kalaloch Lodge in Olympic National Park.
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Kalaloch Lodge in Olympic National Park.
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Kalaloch Lodge in Olympic National Park.
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Brief History of Kalaloch Lodge
The history of Kalaloch Lodge dates back to the 1920s, when Charles W. Becker Sr. purchased approximately 40 acres along the Pacific coast near Kalaloch Creek. Becker began developing the property as a place for visitors to stay while exploring this remote section of the Olympic Peninsula. Some of the original cabins were built using wood from large driftwood logs that washed ashore along the coast.
As more visitors began traveling along the Olympic Peninsula, the Kalaloch area continued to develop as an important destination. The present-day Main Lodge was built in 1953, using wood milled from giant drift logs found along the nearby shoreline. The rustic construction of the lodge reflects the natural character of the surrounding coastline and forest.
An important change came in 1978, when the National Park Service purchased the Kalaloch Lodge property. This brought the lodge under the protection of Olympic National Park and helped preserve the property and its spectacular coastal setting for future generations.
Today, Kalaloch Lodge remains an important part of the history of Olympic National Park. The lodge continues to welcome visitors year-round, offering lodge rooms and cabins overlooking one of the wildest sections of the Washington coast.
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Kalaloch Lodge, Olympic National Park.
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Kalaloch Lodge, Olympic National Park.
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Kalaloch Mercantile
The Kalaloch Mercantile is a convenient little general store located next to Kalaloch Lodge in Olympic National Park. It is especially useful for visitors staying at the lodge, cabins or nearby Kalaloch Campground, as well as anyone exploring Beaches 1, 2, 3 and 4 along the Kalaloch coastline.
Inside, you will find a good selection of groceries, snacks, beverages, basic camping supplies, firewood, ice and other everyday necessities. The Mercantile also carries souvenirs, gifts and items related to Olympic National Park, making it a nice place to pick up something to remember your visit.
We like the Kalaloch Mercantile because it is simple, convenient and located right where you need it. Since services are limited along this remote section of the Olympic Peninsula, having a well-stocked store at Kalaloch Lodge can be extremely helpful. Whether you need food for the day, camping supplies or a quick snack before heading to the beach, the Kalaloch Mercantile is a handy stop.
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Kalaloch Mercantile, Olympic National Park.
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Additional Beaches
One of the things we really enjoy about the Kalaloch Coastline of Olympic National Park is that you don't have to limit yourself to the better-known Beach 1, Beach 2, Beach 3 and Beach 4. This entire stretch of the Pacific Coast is remarkably accessible from Highway 101, with numerous beach trails and access points scattered along the highway. The National Park Service identifies seven beach trails leading from Highway 101 to the ocean in the Kalaloch area.
As you drive Highway 101 through Kalaloch, watch for parking areas, roadside pullouts and signs marking the various beach trails. Most of these trails are quite short, but because Highway 101 runs along the top of a coastal bluff, some involve a fairly steep descent before reaching the beach. Conditions at the bottom can also change as winter storms continually rearrange the large driftwood logs along the shoreline.
Once on the beach, you'll find long stretches of sand, huge piles of driftwood, rocky areas, tide pools and wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. We recommend taking your time while driving this section of Highway 101. Stop at several of these access points and explore. Some of our favorite moments along the Kalaloch Coast have come from simply pulling over, walking down a short trail and seeing what we find.
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Kalaloch Coastline Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Kalaloch Coastline Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Kalaloch Coastline Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Kalaloch Coastline Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Kalaloch Lodge Area Map, Olympic National Park.
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