Cape Alava Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The cedar boardwalks are notorious for being slippery, especially when wet or covered in moss. Falls and twisted ankles are the most common injuries on this trail — take your time on the older sections.
This is black bear country and the coast attracts raccoons bold enough to raid packs. Use the bear wires at Cape Alava if you're camping overnight, and never leave food unattended on the beach.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Check the tide tables before you go — Cape Alava connects to Sand Point via a 3-mile beach route (the Ozette Loop), and sections of that coastal stretch are impassable at high tide. Time your arrival for a receding tide to explore the full coastline.
The boardwalks get dangerously slick when wet, which in the Ozette area means most of the year. Boots with aggressive tread or even traction devices make a real difference — trail runners will have you skating.
About a mile south of Cape Alava along the beach, look for the Wedding Rocks petroglyphs carved by the Makah people centuries ago. They're easy to miss if you don't know to look — check for interpretive signs near the tideline and visit at low tide when they're fully exposed.
Photos
NPS
