Olympic Coast North: The Shipwreck Coast

From Rialto Beach to Sand Point, hike up to 20 miles along a spectacular section of the Olympic National Park wilderness coast. Craig Romano describes this hike as “...some of the prettiest and wildest coastline and beaches in North America.” Sights include sea stacks, arches, caves, tide pools, and sandy beaches. Besides the spectacular scenery, visit the Chilean Memorial and Norwegian Memorials, which commemorate long-ago shipwrecks along this hazardous coast.

on the trail

Here are sites to see and good campsites and places to turn around along the way from the Rialto Breach to Sand Point:

  • Hole-in-th-Wall - 1.0 mi from the trailhead
  • Chilean Memorial - 3.7 mi from the trailhead, 2.7 mi from Hole-in-the-Wall
  • Cedar Creek - 8.7 mi from the trailhead, 5.0 mi from the Chilean Memorial
  • Norwegian Memorial - 10 mi from the trailhead, 1.3 mi from Cedar Creek
  • Yellow Banks - 15.1 mi from the trailhead, 5.1 mi from the Norwegian Memorial
  • South Sand Point - 16.1 mi from the trailhead, 1.0 mi from Yell0w Banks
  • Ericson Bay - a 2-mile trail just north of South Sand Point leads from the coast to Lake Ozette
  • Sand Point Trail - 17.2 mi from the trailhead, 1.1 mi from South Sand Point
  • Wedding Rocks - mi from the trailhead,
  • Cape Alava Trail - 20.3 mi from the trailhead,
  • Ozette Ranger Station - 3.0 mi by the Sand Point Trail, 3.4 mi by the Cape Alava Trail

notes

  • Difficulty: Strenuous
  • Length: 20.2 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 260 ft
  • 150 ft
  • Land Manager: Olympic National Park
  • Parking Permit Required: National Park Entrance Fee
  • Recommended Party Size: 12
  • Maximum Party Size: 12
  • Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
Map
  • Custom Correct North Olympic Coast
  • Green Trails Ozette No. 130S
  • Trails Illustrated Olympic National Park
  • Green Trails Olympic Coast Beaches No. 99S
Activities

Upcoming Activities

Backpack - Olympic Coast North: The Shipwreck Coast

Backpacking Trip
This is a youth/family backpack for families with youth 12+.
Difficulty: Strenuous
Sun, May 26, 2024 - Thu, May 30, 2024
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
2 participants
Registration closes May 24
Foothills Branch
Erica An Rickard
Qualified Youth Leader

Backpack - Olympic Coast North: The Shipwreck Coast

Backpacking Trip
3 day/2 night backpack along the Pacific Ocean coast
Difficulty: Moderate
Fri, Jun 14, 2024 - Sun, Jun 16, 2024
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
4 participants 0 leaders
Registration opens Apr 15
Olympia Branch
Valerie Sparks
Trip Reports
Titles

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  • Olympic Coast North
  • North Olympic Coast
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