Counting the waves…
Counting the waves…
The trailhead sits unmarked except for a small brown sign off La Push Road, and the descent begins immediately—mud-slicked roots and wooden planks guiding you through a rainforest so dense that daylight turns green. Your calves will feel the mile-and-a-half drop, but the sound of breakers grows louder with each switchback, pulling you forward. When the tree line breaks, you step onto coarse sand hemmed by Giants Graveyard sea stack to the north and Teahwhit Head's forested bluff to the south. Driftwood logs bleached silver by storms form natural benches; harbor seals surface beyond the breakers. At low tide, the southern rocks reveal anemones pulsing in shallow basins and purple sea urchins wedged into crevices. The water stays frigid year-round—48 degrees even in August—but the wide tidal zone offers hours of exploration. Campers pitch tents on the upper beach with permits from the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles, lulled to sleep by wave percussion. Most visitors arrive mid-morning and leave by three, ceding the shore to those who carried enough gear to stay. Fog banks roll in without warning, erasing the horizon and muting every color to grey and brown.
Places, rentals, tours and events within walking and driving distance of Third Beach.
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Swimming at Third Beach is generally not recommended due to cold water temperatures year-round (typically 45-55°F), strong currents, and unpredictable waves common along the Olympic Coast. There are no lifeguards on duty. The beach is better suited for wading, tidepooling, and beachcombing. If you do enter the water, stay close to shore and never turn your back on the ocean, as sneaker waves can occur without warning on Pacific Northwest beaches.
Third Beach is accessible year-round, but summer months (July-September) offer the most stable weather with less rain and temperatures in the 60s-70s°F. However, the shoulder seasons of late spring and early fall provide fewer crowds while still offering reasonable conditions. Winter visits can be dramatic with storm watching opportunities, though expect rain, mud on trails, and shorter daylight hours. Low tide periods are ideal for exploring sea stacks and tidepools regardless of season.
Third Beach is accessed via a 1.4-mile forest trail from the Third Beach Trailhead on Oil City Road, about 12 miles west of Forks. From Highway 101, turn onto La Push Road (Highway 110), then turn right onto Oil City Road. A parking area at the trailhead accommodates roughly 15-20 vehicles. The trail descends through old-growth forest before reaching the beach. A National Park Pass or day-use fee is required.
Third Beach has no facilities—no restrooms, food, water, or services at the beach or trailhead. Plan accordingly by bringing all supplies. The nearest town is Forks (about 12 miles east), which offers restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, and lodging ranging from motels to vacation rentals. La Push, a small community about 5 miles north, has limited lodging and a small store. Pack out all trash as this is a wilderness beach within Olympic National Park.
Yes, Third Beach has a designated wilderness camping area popular with backpackers, located in the forest just behind the beach. Camping requires a wilderness permit from Olympic National Park, available online or at the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles. Sites are first-come, first-served and fill quickly in summer. Food must be stored in bear canisters or hung properly. Campfires are allowed only on the beach below the high-tide line using driftwood.
