Second Beach Washington: Guide to ONP’s Best Beach
Second Beach on Washington’s coast easily ranks as one of the best beaches in the state.
Over the past decade, I’ve visited Second Beach in La Push many times and am always excited to return.
In this article, I’ll share why Second Beach is one of the best beaches on the Olympic Peninsula and things to do when you’re there.
I provide logistical information about the trail, the beach hike, and camping, along with other helpful tips to assist in your planning.
This gorgeous beach is not to be missed, so let’s dive in!
Why Second Beach is the Best Beach in Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park beaches are famous for their breathtaking coastlines and forest trails.
Rialto Beach has its landmark Hole-in-the-Wall hike, Ruby Beach is beloved for its sunsets, and Kalaloch’s Beach 4 has excellent tide-pooling.
But Second Beach at low tide has it all.
The rugged beauty and uniqueness of its rock formations are on par with Hole-in-the-Wall. Walking to the left, once you hit the beach from the trail, you’ll find tidepooling that rivals Beach 4. And the sunsets here are spectacular.
What is the Starting Area for Second Beach?
The map below shows the location of the starting area for Second Beach. It’s straightforward to find if you’re driving on WA-110.
How Long is the Trail to Second Beach?
It’s an approximately .8-mile hike to the beach from the main parking area close to the trailhead. An overflow parking lot is available just a few minutes away. If you park there, the hike will take longer.
Second Beach Trail
The elevation gain on the short hike to the beach is only 80 feet, but from the beach back to the trailhead, you’ll ascend roughly 166 feet.
The trail has many protruding tree roots, so wear sturdy shoes for this hike. You may encounter a little mud depending on the time of year you visit.
Be prepared to walk over driftwood at the trail’s end to get onto the beach. Keep in mind that conditions change from year to year.
NOTE: At the start of the trail, you’ll pass the Lonesome Creek Hatchery, where the Quileute Tribe breeds wild salmon and trout for release into the wild.
How Long is Second Beach?
Information varies online because one rarely takes the shortest route “as the crow flies,” so to speak. If you plan to walk from the beach’s north end to the beach’s south end, plan for a 4.5-5-mile roundtrip beach hike. This mileage doesn’t include the roughly 1.6-mile roundtrip hike from the parking area to the beach and back.
On our most recent trip to Second Beach, my husband and I took the trail from the main parking area down to the beach, walked to the northern end, then down to the southern end, then back to the trailhead, and my AllTrails app logged a little over six miles.
Second Beach WA Things to Do
1. Camp on Second Beach
If you have a permit, you can camp on the beach and feel like you’re in the wild. Because you are. You hear the sound of waves crashing as you fall asleep. You can drink your morning coffee while seabirds fly above you.
During the busiest months, many campers set up where the trail meets the beach. For more privacy, walk south and camp away from the crowds.
I’ve included more details about camping in a section below.
2. Walk the entire length of the beach
Most visitors stay at the beach’s northern end, but I highly recommend walking the entire length. You’ll see expansive beach views and some of the best beach camping spots in all of Washington toward the south end.
The cliffs near Teahwhit Head, a massive headland that juts out into the ocean between Second and Third Beach, are remarkable.
On the southern end, you’ll even find a small cave you can walk inside.
3. Explore Second Beach tide pools
For the best tide-pooling experience, plan to arrive at the beach about an hour before low tide to give yourself plenty of time to explore.
Most of the crowd will stay around the large, triangular-shaped sea stack to the right, but if you walk to the left when you reach the beach from the trail, heading towards a large rock, you’ll be rewarded with this sight.
4. See wildlife
The Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge is a wilderness area off the Washington coast from Cape Flattery in the north to Copalis Head further south, spanning approximately 800 islands, rocks, and reefs.
Seabirds flock to these islands every fall and spring as they migrate.
This refuge played a vital role in the resuscitation of the number of sea otters in the wild, whose population has begun to recover from the brink of extinction.
The refuge is off-limits to humans, but you can view it with binoculars from Second Beach and other beaches along the coast.
5. Watch surfers (or surf!)
The water here is cold, even in the summer. It’s the Pacific Ocean, after all! If you plan to surf, a wet suit is mandatory.
Beginners should surf here during summer when waves are smaller, catering to all experience levels.
I’ve seen better waves and more surfers on First Beach, but you can’t camp on the beach there. If you’re looking for a beach camping and surfing adventure in La Push, you might have to sacrifice a little to get both in the same spot. But both beaches are just a few minutes away from the other by car.
6. Sit and listen to the sounds of the waves
Sure, you can do this on virtually any beach, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable here. What makes this experience special is the view of sea stacks all around and in the distance.
The ocean sounds are so powerful that you can hear them while hiking to the beach.
7. Explore La Push beaches
First and Third Beaches are just short drives away from Second Beach. I highly recommend visiting both if you have at least one-and-a-half days in La Push.
First Beach is on Quileute tribal land and not a part of Olympic National Park. It’s the most accessible of the three beaches since you don’t have to hike to get to the beach.
The proximity of First Beach to James Island, known as Akalat or “Top of the Rock” to the Quileute people, makes this beach worth visiting. Learn more about James Island here.
Third Beach’s unique characteristics include a group of sea stacks called The Giants Graveyard that beckon you to walk towards the south end, where you’ll also see a small waterfall on the beach.
TOP PICK: Second Beach is the best beach in La Push because the views are better, and there’s more to see and explore than the other two. Read this La Push beach guide to learn about all three beaches.
How to Get to Second Beach in La Push
There are multiple routes to reach La Push from Seattle.
You can take one of the two ferry options from Seattle to the Kitsap Peninsula and then drive to La Push.
Ferry travel takes you to Bainbridge Island or Bremerton. Check the ferry schedule here.
Alternatively, you can skip the ferry and drive south from Seattle to Tacoma and head towards Quinault, located at the park’s south side, or drive north from Tacoma to Port Angeles, near the park’s north side.
NOTE: You must cross the Hood Canal Floating Bridge to get to the Olympic Peninsula from Kitsap. When it opens for boats, traffic can come to a stop for ten to 45 minutes. Check for bridge openings here.
I might be biased because I live on the Kitsap Peninsula, but driving through this area is better for two reasons. Firstly, you can take the ferry or drive around Puget Sound, choosing the better option for your travel day. Secondly, this route allows you to enjoy the awesome views of Lake Crescent along the way.
From Lake Crescent, continue on the 101 towards Forks, and once you arrive in Forks, look for signs for the WA-110 W. You’ll drive for about seventeen minutes before parking at the Second Beach trailhead.
NOTE: The National Park Service notes road closures on their website. Plan accordingly.
Second Beach Parking
Finding the parking areas at Second Beach in La Push is easy. There are limited spots right next to the trailhead, along with two port-o-potties, and there’s an overflow parking lot just a few minutes away from the trailhead. It’s free to park at both lots.
You’ll see signs reminding you to lock your vehicle as theft can occur. I’ve always seen local police on the roads near all La Push beaches, but it’s always a good idea to hide valuables out of sight.
Second Beach’s popularity means that arriving early in the day helps to ensure you get a spot.
Second Beach Hotels: Where to Stay
Quileute Oceanside Resort is on First Beach and offers cabins facing the water. You can also RV camp and tent camp here.
➡️Click here to book your stay at Quileute Oceanside Resort
Forks Motel is clean, comfortable, close to restaurants, and only twenty minutes from La Push.
➡️Click here to book your stay at Forks Motel
Quillayute River Resort offers charming accommodations with river beach access. It’s ten minutes from La Push.
➡️Click here to book your stay at Quillayute River Resort
Camping at Second Beach
Tent camping on Second Beach is allowed with an Olympic National Park Wilderness Permit. Everything you need to camp must be carried on your back since you will hike roughly .8 miles to get to the beach.
As mentioned above, there are two port-o-potties near the trailhead. There’s also a pit toilet where the trail meets the beach.
Per national park regulations, you must store all food, garbage, and scented items like toothpaste in a park-approved bear canister overnight and anytime you leave your campsite.
Campers can build fires, but to protect forest areas, they’re allowed only on the beach and using driftwood only.
Two essential tips to remember can help to prevent disaster!
🌊 The first is to know where the high tide line is so that your tent doesn’t fill up with ocean water at night.
⚠️ The second is to filter or boil any freshwater you collect to avoid parasitic disease.
Most campers will set up near where the trail ends on the beach, but walking the beach towards the south allows you to pick a spot with more privacy.
We passed incredible camping spots when we walked to the beach’s south end.
NOTE: Beach camping is also allowed on Third Beach with a permit.
Second Beach La Push Weather
From the end of June to the end of August, you have the highest likelihood of experiencing favorable weather on the Olympic Peninsula.
May and September are also popular months to visit, but the weather is less reliable. It can be dry or wet.
Expect rain from October until April, with the wettest period being from November to January. Dry, sunny days happen occasionally in winter.
Regardless of the season, I’ve discovered that weather apps are only sometimes dependable due to how quickly the weather can change in La Push. Refer to the section below on what to pack (hint: include layers!)
FAQs & Tips for Visiting Second Beach
Below are helpful tips for first-time visitors to La Push beaches.
⚠️ Always know if the areas you walk require low tide to pass.
😃 Can Anyone Visit La Push?
La Push beaches are open to the public, but First Beach is part of Quileute Nation. Visitors are expected to respect the tribe’s local community and guidelines. Second Beach is part of the national park, and anyone can visit this beach. The same goes for Third Beach.
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed on Second Beach?
Dogs are not allowed on Second Beach or on the trail to get there.
🏊🏽 Can You Swim at Second Beach?
The ocean water is frigid, and its currents are powerful, so I do not recommend swimming. Sadly, a woman recently died on nearby Rialto Beach after being swept away by a riptide.
Visitors wade along the beach when it’s hot, but always be mindful of the speed and strength of the outgoing tide if you choose to do this.
🧳 What to Pack for Second Beach
This section is for day-trippers, not for those planning to camp.
Beach attire in Washington is very different than beach attire in Hawaii! Dressing in layers means you’re ready for temperature swings, sun, wind, and rain, all of which can happen in a day on the Pacific coast.
Wearing a breathable, moisture-wicking base layer helps to regulate your body temperature, no matter the weather.
On top of this layer, I recommend a fleece or soft-shell jacket with a hood. You can easily tie this layer around your waist or throw it into a backpack when the sun comes out.
IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT DAYPACK? This Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack is a comfortable backpack that will fit snacks, water, sunscreen, and clothing layers.
La Push beaches are known for their massive amounts of driftwood, making access to the beaches somewhat challenging and even more so for those with mobility issues. Bring walking sticks or trekking poles to help keep you steady if you’re concerned about balance.
UV protection is also essential. I always wear sunglasses and a sunhat, even on overcast days.
Second Beach Washington Guide Wrap-Up
This Olympic Peninsula coastal beach has everything that makes ONP beaches worth visiting: jaw-dropping rock formations, dramatic cliffs, a coastal forest, tide pools, sea stacks, and beach camping.
If your goal is to see all of the best beaches in Washington, Second Beach is a must-visit destination.