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First, Second, and Third Beach
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(La Push Area Beaches)
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First Beach at La Push in Olympic National Park.
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La Push Area Beaches
The La Push Area on the wild Pacific Coast features three remarkable beaches, each offering a different Olympic National Park experience.
First Beach is the easiest to reach and is located next to the community of La Push on the Quileute Indian Reservation. It's technically not in Olympic National Park, but it's still "part of the park" in spirit. You can drive directly to the beach, making it a popular place for beach walking, surfing, watching sunsets and enjoying views of the offshore sea stacks.
Second Beach is reached by hiking approximately 0.7 mile through a beautiful coastal forest. The trail ends at a broad sandy beach surrounded by dramatic headlands, towering sea stacks and large driftwood logs. During low tide, you may also find tide pools filled with marine life. Second Beach is one of the most scenic and popular beaches along the Olympic Coast.
Third Beach requires a longer 1.4-mile hike through the forest, followed by a descent to the shoreline. This peaceful sandy beach features excellent views of the offshore sea stacks known as the Giants Graveyard. Third Beach is also the starting point for longer wilderness hikes along the South Coast Trail.
Together, First Beach, Second Beach and Third Beach provide an outstanding opportunity to explore the rugged beauty of the La Push Coastline. Always check the tides before exploring these incredible beaches.
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Map of La Push Area Beaches, Olympic National Park.
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First Beach
First Beach is located at La Push on Washington’s rugged Pacific Coast, near the western boundary of Olympic National Park. The beach is part of the Quileute Indian Reservation. It is approximately 15 miles west of Forks along La Push Road, making it one of the easiest coastal beaches in the area to reach by vehicle. Unlike nearby Second and Third Beaches, First Beach does not require a forest hike to reach the shoreline.
First Beach features a wide, open shoreline with impressive views of the Pacific Ocean, offshore sea stacks and James Island. Large driftwood logs often line the upper beach, while powerful waves make this a popular destination for surfing, beach walking, photography and watching the sunset. The mouth of the Quillayute River is located at the north end of the beach, separating First Beach from Rialto Beach.
The easy access and outstanding coastal scenery make First Beach a convenient stop for anyone exploring the La Push area. Visitors should remain aware of changing tides and stay well away from large waves and drifting logs. First Beach provides a memorable introduction to the wild and beautiful Olympic Peninsula coastline.
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First Beach, Olympic National Park.
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First Beach, Olympic National Park.
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First Beach, Olympic National Park.
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First Beach, Olympic National Park.
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First Beach, Olympic National Park.
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First Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Second Beach
Second Beach is one of the most scenic beaches along the Olympic National Park coastline. Located near La Push, the Second Beach Trailhead is found along La Push Road, approximately 14 miles west of Highway 101. From the trailhead, a 0.7-mile hike winds through a beautiful coastal forest before descending about 200 vertical feet to the beach.
Once you reach the shoreline, you are greeted by a broad sandy beach, large driftwood logs and impressive sea stacks rising from the Pacific Ocean. A natural arch can also be seen in the rocky headland near the north end of the beach. During low tide, visitors can explore tide pools filled with colorful marine life, including sea stars, anemones and small crabs. The beach is also a popular place for photography, beach walking, picnicking and watching the sunset.
Second Beach is part of Olympic National Park’s Wilderness Coast, while the trailhead is located on the Quileute Indian Reservation. Always check the tide tables before exploring the shoreline, because rising tides can cover sections of the beach and create dangerous conditions around rocky headlands. Second Beach is an outstanding place to experience the rugged beauty of the Olympic Coast.
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Trail to Second Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Trail to Second Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Trail to Second Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Trail to Second Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Trail to Second Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Trail to Second Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Trail to Second Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Second Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Second Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Second Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Second Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Natural Arch at Second Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Second Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Third Beach
Third Beach is another outstanding beach in the La Push area of Olympic National Park, and because it requires a longer hike to reach than nearby First Beach and Second Beach, it often has a more remote and wild feeling. The Third Beach Trail is about 1.4 miles one way, beginning along La Push Road about 12 miles west of Highway 101. The trail winds through a beautiful coastal forest before dropping approximately 270 feet to the beach.
Once you reach Third Beach, you are greeted by a wide sandy shoreline, huge driftwood logs, rugged headlands and impressive sea stacks rising offshore. Looking south, the group of sea stacks known as the Giants Graveyard provides an incredible backdrop and is one of the most recognizable features of Third Beach. Bald eagles, seals and a variety of coastal birds are commonly seen in this area, and migrating whales may also be spotted offshore during certain times of the year.
Third Beach is also the northern starting point for hikers continuing south along Olympic National Park's rugged South Coast Route. Whether you spend a few hours exploring the shoreline or simply enjoy the scenery, Third Beach is a wonderful place to experience the wild Pacific Coast of Olympic National Park.
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Trail to Third Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Trail to Third Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Trail to Third Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Trail to Third Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Trail to Third Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Third Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Third Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Third Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Third Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Third Beach, Olympic National Park.
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Third Beach, Olympic National Park.
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