A Guide to Cape Alava in Olympic National Park

A journey out to Washington's Cape Alava takes you through moss-draped forests, across weathered boardwalks, and finally, onto a wild, driftwood-strewn shoreline where the Pacific Ocean stretches out endlessly before you.

Shallow tidepools teem with marine life.

Ancient sea stacks litter the horizon, adding even more interest to breathtaking views.

It's the last place in the lower 48 states to see the sunset, but it offers more than just a fun bucket list item to check off.

Whether you're after a scenic day hike or an unforgettable beach camping experience, Cape Alava has solitude and a true sense of wilderness that leaves you feeling like you're on a real adventure. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.

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Getting to Cape Alava

Cape Alava is on the western edge of the Olympic Peninsula. Depending on how you're tackling the drive around Olympic, you'll be coming from either Port Angeles or Forks. The first route is a little under two hours away and the drive from Forks is just over one hour.

Keep in mind that the drive from Port Angeles takes you past several must-sees, including Lake Crescent, Mount Storm King, and Sol Duc, so be sure to plan in extra time along that route.

To reach the cape you'll first navigate to the Ozette Ranger Station via either Route 112 or 113. Turn left onto Ozette Lake Road and continue for 21 miles.

Here you'll find an ample sized gravel parking lot and the trailhead to the beach, as well as a small, first come, first served campground.

Cell signal in this remote part of the peninsula is spotty at best, so have offline maps downloaded before you head out.

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Hiking Cape Alava Trail

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The Boardwalk

From the ranger station, the trail heads west over a footbridge, crosses the Ozette River, and leads to a wooden boardwalk.

This elevated walkway through the forest undergrowth might make it easier for most of the hike, but it can still be quite slippery and has deteriorated in some places. It would even be possible to take a wrong step and go through a rotten board or trip on a missing board, so you'll need to keep an eye on where you're going and also wear proper footwear with good traction.

We're a huge fan of trekking poles, but they're not necessary on this trail and could actually be annoying as they'd get stuck between boards.

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You quickly come to a junction in the trail, so stay right toward Cape Alava.

Most of this 3.4 mile section is spent deep in the forest, surrounded by evergreen varieties including redcedar, spruce and hemlock. Dense walls of ferns and green shrubs like salal and huckleberry line either side of the path.

If you go late in the day, to catch the very last sunset, the light rays beaming through the treetops create a fairytale like atmosphere. The coastal rainforests in Olympic are truly magical to experience.

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At about two miles in, the canopy opens up as you pass through a small prairie.

Because of how few visitors the Cape Alava Loop sees and efforts to preserve its wild nature, it's not uncommon at all to see plenty of wildlife. Deer can often be spotted in the forest and prairie. Seals, otters, and eagles are all regularly seen while walking on the beach.

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The Beach

What little elevation change there is on the trail mostly happens as you approach the shore.

You'll lose about 200 feet in the last mile as you gradually make your way through thinning evergreens.

You can both hear and feel it when you've arrived at Cape Alava. The unmistakable sound of seabirds, gentle waves, and the salty mist of a sea breeze catch you first.

Views of the water start to appear. Ozette and Tskawahyah Island can be seen just a short distance offshore, with their tree lines silhouetted against a blank sky.

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At low tide there are endless pools to explore.

The ground is littered with interesting plants and creatures.

Pick a dry rock or a piece of driftwood for a seat and enjoy the show as the last bit of light dips below the horizon, then turn back and finish your hike the way you came.

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If you've left enough daylight for more exploration, you can turn south to walk down the beach.

This will take you past Wedding Rocks, where the ancestors of the Makah tribe left petroglyphs carved into stone.

It's important to leave no trace while visiting Cape Alava, but it's especially crucial here. It's pretty amazing to see these culturally significant sites in person and we should all do our part to make sure they're left undisturbed for the future.

Two miles from here you'll reach the Sand Point area, where the trail turns back inland, creating a 9.3 mile triangular loop. Choose this option if you have time and don't mind the additional mileage (but no extra elevation), otherwise opt for the 6+ mile hike out to the beach and back.

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Camping at Cape Alava

Backcountry camping is allowed year round on the Ozette coast, including Cape Alava, but permits are limited on a quota basis. They'll cost you $8 per person, plus a $6 non-refundable reservation fee.

The National Park Service has a helpful page walking you through the steps of obtaining a permit.

Once you've completed the first two steps, you'll need to go to the Recreation.gov page for Olympic Wilderness Permits and check the availability of your intended dates. Select 'North Coast' as your starting point and refer to the Wilderness Trip Planner map for details on choosing a site.

Cape Alava is one excellent option to experience beach camping along the Olympic coast, but there are some general rules to keep in mind.

All of your food, garbage, and other scented items will need to be stored in an approved bear canister. Sometimes, these are available to borrow, but not at the Ozette Ranger Station, so you'll want to pick one up before your trip.

We personally recommend the BearVault BV450, which is the right size for a solo four day trip, or a weekend trip for two people.

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Campfires are prohibited along much of the coastline, specifically from Yellow Banks to Wedding Rocks. You're allowed to build a fire at your Cape Alava campsite, but only using driftwood. During the summer little to none will be found. It can also be a challenge to get driftwood to burn, so make sure you bring along some good fire starter.

Always use an existing fire ring when possible or, if necessary, start your fire on the beach and away from the forest.

No pets are allowed.

Groups are limited to 12 people. If you're traveling with a larger group than that you need to split up and camp at least one mile apart.

Tskawahyah Island, also known as Cannonball Island, is located in the Ozette Indian Reservation. It's closed to the public, so please respect the closure and just view it from a distance.

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Cape Alava Campground

The views while camping here are incredible but, as with most wilderness camping areas, you shouldn't expect much beyond a flat place to pitch your tent.

There's a pit toilet here, but if for some reason it's unavailable or you're camping at a different location, be prepared to bury waste. You should dig a hole 6-8" deep and at least 200 feet away from campsites or water sources. Pack out any toilet paper.

Drinking water can be filtered from a creek near Cape Alava. It may have a tan color from tannins leached into the water from leaves, but as long as you have a capable water filter it's safe.

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Sand Point Campground

This camping area is similar to Cape Alava, but further south down the coast. You can hike here directly by taking a left at the first junction, or do both Cape Alava and Sand Point on the full Ozette Triangle.

Sand Point is right in the middle of the campfire prohibition area.

Once again, there's a pit toilet. Water sources may be available for filtering, but in late summer and early fall they have a tendency to dry up. If you're hiking in to Sand Point you should plan to carry in however much water you'll need.

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Things to Know Before You Go

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Safety

Know the tides. It's best to plan your visit during low tide and essential if you want to hike down the coast to do the full loop. You can check tide predictions on the NOAA website.

Take screenshots of the tide charts before you go and save a copy of trail info and maps.

If you'll be camping on the beach, set up above the high tide water line.

Heading out to see the last sunset in the lower 48? Bring a bright headlamp. It would be tough to get lost on the boardwalk trail back to the ranger station, but in the forest it will be very dark.

Black bears are present throughout Olympic National Park, but they're seldom aggressive. You'll be safe if you take a few precautions. Remember that food storage (and trash) has to be in an approved container.

If you do happen to encounter a bear, give it plenty of space, stand still and never run. Back away and go the opposite direction. If it approaches, scare it away by shouting and waving your arms.

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When to Visit

The best time for visiting Cape Alava is April through October. If you want to camp, the NPS recommends securing permits well in advance May through September.

Weather can be unpredictable or variable at any time of year, but that just means you need to check conditions right before you leave and prepare for things to change.

Spring along the coast brings a spectacular show of color. The rainy season during winter and early spring results in lush forest growth and plenty of flowers. You can expect days to be wet and mild, but windy.

Summer high temperatures are normally in the 50s or 60s (12-15C), with cool breezes in the afternoon and chilly nighttime temps. Ocean fog and low clouds that persist into the afternoon are common in summer.

Fall weather is pleasantly cool, but wet. The heaviest rainfall usually begins in October, lasting all the way through winter. Even during the coldest months of the year, temperatures are surprisingly mild, but storms and lower elevation snow in the area is possible.

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