Ruby Beach, Kalaloch - Ruby Beach Trails, Olympic National Park, Washington
Ruby Beach - 0.3 miles
Kalaloch - Ruby Beach Trails
| Round-Trip Length: | 0.3 miles |
| Start-End Elevation: | 72' - 0' (72' max elevation) |
| Elevation Change: | 72' net elevation loss |
| Skill Level: | Easy |
| Dogs Allowed: | Yes |
| Bikes Allowed: | No |
| Horses Allowed: | No |
| Related Trails: |
Ruby Beach - 0.3 Miles Round-Trip
Ruby Beach is located approximately 28 miles south of Forks, right along US 101 in Olympic National Park. Ruby Beach is the most northern and popular of the Kalaloch Area beaches, which extend 15 miles south from the Hoh River mouth to the Queets River mouth on the Park's southern coast.
Ruby Beach stands out among Kalaloch Area beaches with its prominent onshore arch, sea stacks, tunneled bluffs, and a more rugged landscape.
Cedar Creek flanks the beach entry point (.15 miles), a destination in itself. This lively juxtaposition of coastal forest and sea is a great place to find river otter, deer and a variety of birds.
Crowds build in this small area, but thin considerably just north of the creek and around a rocky bend (the creek crossing can be swift, and the headland requires scrambling at higher tides).
Continue approximately 3 miles north on the beach to the mouth of the Hoh River, one of the best places to fish salmon and see bald eagles on the southern coast.
Travel south is more moderate as the beach widens on flatter, finer sand. It tapers to a razor thin headland that can only be rounded at low tide, approximately 1.5 miles from the beach entry point.
There's no overland trail, but athletic hikers can improvise their way over and drop into Beach #6, a lengthy, isolated tract where you'll likely find more eagles than people.
Interactive GPS Topo Map
Key GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84
- N47 42.606 W124 24.832 — 0.0 miles : Ruby Beach Trailhead
- N47 42.634 W124 24.899 — .15 miles : Ruby Beach
- N47 41.793 W124 24.786 — 1.15 miles : Beach widens on smoother surface
- N47 41.501 W124 24.699 — 1.5 miles : Headland - only passable at low tide
- N47 41.026 W124 24.451 — 2.15 miles : Wide beach with bluffs
- N47 40.614 W124 24.202 — 2.65 miles : Open beach travel on Beach 6
Worth Noting
- It's possible to become stranded on Beach #6 at high tide, or if unable to scale the headland.
- The Hoh River mouth is located on the Hoh Indian Reservation, just outside Park boundaries. Respect their land, customs, and fishing regulations when visiting the area.
- The tea color of coastal creek water comes from tannins leached from decaying matter in the forest.
- 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.
- 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 Ruby Beach and Kalaloch Beaches 1-6. Pets are not permitted on trails. Pets are permitted in campgrounds and must be leashed at all times.
Directions to Trailhead
Ruby Beach is located approximately 28 miles south of Forks, 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
Mora Ranger Station (seasonal)
360.374.5460
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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