4-Day Olympic North Coast Backpacking: Tide-Reading, Headland Scrambles & Beach Campfires
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
4 days
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness: comfortable hiking 3–8 miles a day with a loaded pack and scrambling over rocky terrain.
Overview
Four days of coastal navigation, tidepool exploration and beach camping along Olympic National Park’s north shore. Learn tide-table strategy, headland scrambles and seaside backcountry skills while crossing dramatic cliffs and sea stacks.
4-Day Olympic North Coast Backpacking: Tide-Reading, Headland Scrambles & Beach Campfires
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At first light the ocean does not look calm so much as patient — the swell rolls in with a measured rhythm and the sea-spray smells of iron and kelp. On the first morning you meet at the Rialto Beach backpackers parking area, shoulder straps already whispering with last-minute adjustments, and a guide folds a tide chart onto the hood of a truck. From there the trip moves inland for a shuttle to Ozette and then out again: boardwalk through a coastal temperate forest, then stone and sand and the raw architecture of the Pacific.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Respect tide windows
Plan headland crossings around low-tide windows — guides will teach tide-table use but always carry a printed chart and set alarms for cut-off times.
Wear sticky, waterproof footwear
Expect slippery kelp and boulder fields — rubber-soled trekking shoes or approach shoes reduce slip risk more than running shoes.
Pack a lightweight waterproof shell
Coastal weather changes fast; a breathable rain jacket keeps you dry during wind-driven spray and late-afternoon drizzle.
Protect tidepools and wildlife
Do not remove animals or shells and avoid stepping into delicate pools — small actions preserve campsite and intertidal life.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- harbor seal
- varied intertidal invertebrates (sea stars, anemones)
History
The north coast is part of lands stewarded by coastal tribes such as the Makah and Quileute; place names and seasonal shore use reflect long-standing Indigenous maritime practices.
Conservation
Practice Leave No Trace: avoid collecting shells or animals, use established fire rules, and pack out all waste to protect fragile intertidal ecosystems.
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Adventure Hotspots in Forks
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Waterproof approach shoes or rubber-soled hiking boots
Grippy, waterproof footwear is crucial for kelp-covered rocks and boulder fields.
Small daypack (20–30L)
Carry water, rain layer, snacks, tide charts and personal items during beach traverses.
Waterproof rain jacket (breathable)
Wind-driven spray and coastal rain demand a breathable shell even in summer.
summer specific
Headlamp with fresh batteries
Needed for camp tasks and any early starts to catch low tides.