Rialto Beach
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Never turn your back on the ocean. Sneaker waves are a real hazard on Washington's coast — they surge much farther up the beach than regular waves with zero warning. Stay well above the high-tide line when resting, and keep children within arm's reach near the waterline.
The massive driftwood logs look like benches but they can roll. Logs weighing several tons shift with incoming waves and have killed beachgoers on the Olympic coast. Never sit on logs near the waterline or climb over them where surf can reach.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Check the tide tables before you go — Hole-in-the-Wall is only accessible at tides below about 4 feet. NOAA's La Push station gives you the exact numbers. Time your walk so you arrive at the arch on a falling tide for the widest window.
Wear waterproof boots or shoes with ankle support, not sandals. The cobblestone beach is uneven and slippery when wet, and you'll want to wade into shallow tide pools without thinking twice. Trail runners with good grip work well too.
The best tide pool viewing is on the rocky shelves just south of Hole-in-the-Wall. Look but don't touch — sea stars are still recovering from wasting disease. For photos, overcast days actually win here: the diffused light makes the greens pop and eliminates harsh shadows on the sea stacks.
Photos
NPS
