Kalaloch Beach, Kalaloch - Ruby Beach Trails, Olympic National Park, Washington
Kalaloch Beach - 0.1 miles
Kalaloch - Ruby Beach Trails
| Round-Trip Length: | 0.1 miles |
| Start-End Elevation: | 32' - 0' |
| Elevation Change: | -32' net elevation loss |
| Skill Level: | Easy |
| Dogs Allowed: | Yes |
| Bikes Allowed: | No |
| Horses Allowed: | No |
| Related Trails: |
Kalaloch Beach - 0.1 Miles Round-Trip
Kalaloch Beach generally describes a 15 mile expanse of gentile coast that runs south from the Hoh River mouth to the Queets River mouth on the Park's southern boundary.
There are at least seven designated access points along US 101, all just a short walk to the beach.
Kalaloch beaches differ greatly from the rugged northern coast, characterized by contiguous miles of wide, flat sand with few major headlands, bays, coves, or obstacles.
Fittingly, Kalaloch (pronounced ka-lay-lock) means a good place to land in the Quinault language.
Kalaloch Lodge is located 35 miles south of Forks along US 101, and is the only Kalaloch Beach entry point with food, gas, and lodging services.
The beach stretches wide and endlessly, an ideal destination for families, runners, and beachcombers.
Coastal streams cut the beach in many places, so anticipate some wet and potentially voluminous crossings as you explore.
Despite the relatively low number of outcrops and rock features, there are some magnificent tide pools on Kalaloch beaches.
Low tide at Browns Point, approximately 2.2 miles north of Kalaloch Lodge, reveals one of the largest sea star concentrations in Olympic.
Bluffs along US 101 offer sweeping views of the coast, and great vantages for the annual whale migration. Bald eagles are very common, and quite easy find in their high Sitka spruce perches.
Colorful bluffs extend north, where the coast grows more rugged leading to one of Olympic National Park's most popular destinations at Ruby Beach.
Interactive GPS Topo Map
Key GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84
- N47 36.271 W124 22.438 — 0.0 miles : Trailhead at Kalaloch Lodge
- N47 37.935 W124 23.036 — 2.2 miles : Rock outcrops of Browns Point
- N47 38.303 W124 23.188 — 2.8 miles : Beach 3
- N47 42.634 W124 24.899 — Ruby Beach
Worth Noting
- Due to high day-use volume, camping is not permitted on Kalaloch beaches. This includes Ruby Beach
- Dining reservations at Kalaloch Lodge are highly recommended.
- Always carry - and know how to use - a tide table, topo map, and watch when hiking the Olympic Coast.
- Many points along the coast are only passable at low tide. Passable points on the way out may not be safe on the return, and it's possible to become stranded. Tide tables are available at visitor centers and coastal ranger stations. Red and black symbols mark departure points from the beach on headland - overland trails where it's unsafe to continue on the beach.
Camping and Backpacking Information
- Backcountry camping is not permitted on Kalaloch Area Beaches, which extends south from the Hoh River mouth to South Beach on the Park's southern boundary. This includes Ruby Beach.
- Campgrounds are the only place to camp in the southern Olympic coast.
- Kalaloch Campground: 170 sites open year-round. $14-18 per night. Running water available year round. Online reservations accepted accepted June - September (no more than 6 months in advance).
- Kalaloch Camp is located along coastal bluffs between Highway 101 and the ocean.
- South Beach Campground: 50 sites open Memorial Day - mid September. $10 per night. Running water available year round.
- South Beach Camp is located in an open field with little shade or privacy. Short walk to beach.
- Park campground sites have a picnic table, fire pit, and restroom access. RV dump stations carry an extra fee. Park campgrounds do not have hook-ups or showers. Amenities vary; refer to the NPS website for specific grounds information (nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm).
Fishing Information
- A Washington State Fishing License is not required to fish in Olympic National Park except when fishing in the Pacific Ocean from shore. No license is required to harvest surf smelt.
- A Washington State catch record card is required to fish for salmon or steelhead and they must be accounted for as if caught in state waters. Fishing regulations are specific to site, species, and season. Contact the Park before setting out.
- There are seasonal allowances for smelt, perch, hard shell clams, razor clams, mussels, and Dungeness Crab. Contact the Park for specific species, season, and beach regulations before setting out.
- Recreational fishing in freshwater areas of Olympic National Park is restricted to artificial lures with single, barbless hooks (exceptions may apply).
- The use of seines, traps, drugs, explosives, and nets (except to land a legally hooked fish or dip-net smelt) are prohibited.
Rules and Regulations
- There's a $15 fee to enter Olympic National Park ($30 annual pass).
- Pets are permitted on Kalaloch Beaches 1-6 and Ruby Beach. Pets are not permitted on trails. Pets are permitted in campgrounds and must be leashed at all times.
Directions to Trailhead
The main Kalaloch Beach Trailhead is located within the Kalaloch Lodge, 35 miles south of Forks along US 101. Additional Kalaloch Beach access points are located south of Ruby Beach, right along US 101.
Contact Information
Olympic National Park
600 East Park Avenue
Port Angeles, WA 98362-6798
Visitor Information: 360.565.3130
Road & Weather Hotline: 360.565.3131
Wilderness Information Center and Backcountry Permit Office (WIC)
360.565.3100
Kalaloch Ranger Station (seasonal)
360-962-2283
Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center
360.374.6925
Forks Information Station
360.374.7566 or 360.374.5877
Quinault Wilderness Information Office
360.288.0232
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