Third Beach Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Never turn your back on the ocean here. Sneaker waves are a real and documented hazard on this stretch of coast — they can sweep across flat sand with zero warning, especially during incoming tides and storm swells.
The driftwood logs look inviting to climb on, but they can roll unpredictably when waves push underneath them. People have been killed by rolling logs on Washington beaches — admire them from a safe distance.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Check the tide tables before you go — at high tide, the beach shrinks dramatically and the waterfall near Taylor Point becomes inaccessible. Aim for a minus tide to unlock the best tidepools and the full beach walk south.
The trailhead lot off La Push Road fills by mid-morning in summer. Arrive before 9 AM or after 4 PM. There's no overflow lot, and roadside parking is limited and sometimes ticketed.
Walk south along the beach at low tide to find a waterfall pouring off the bluff directly onto the sand — it's about a half-mile down and one of the most photogenic spots on the entire Olympic coast, yet most day-hikers never make it that far.
Photos
NPS
