Rialto Beach

Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park is Pacific Northwest drama at its finest—sea stacks rising from the surf, ancient driftwood piled high, and mist-shrouded headlands disappearing into the distance. The beach is accessible via a short trail from the parking area, emerging onto a wild coastline that feels centuries removed from civilization. Massive drift logs, some 100 feet long, create natural sculptures and climbing playthings. At low tide, hikers can explore caves and tide pools teeming with sea stars, anemones, and nudibranchs. The iconic sea stack called Hole-in-the-Wall is reachable by a 1.5-mile hike north along the beach. Bald eagles soar overhead, and harbor seals rest on offshore rocks. This is not a swimming beach—the water is frigid and currents treacherous—but for raw coastal beauty, few beaches in America compare.