Dramatic scenery is a recurring theme in Olympic National Park and Ruby Beach is especially awe-inspiring with its remarkable sea stacks and dramatic colours. Explore the driftwood-strewn shore, enjoy a barbecue on the beach at sunset and take in the extraordinary, ever-changing seascapes.
Set within the Kalaloch portion of Olympic National Park, Ruby Beach is one of a series of beaches on the southwest coast of the Olympic Peninsula. It is one of the most visited areas of the national park.
Leave your car in the Ruby Beach parking lot and trek by foot along the main trail past Cedar Creek down to the beach. Hundreds of tree trunks of fallen cedar and redwood litter the beach. Take your time looking at the unusual and often beautiful shapes of gnarled and twisted wood. Don’t be tempted to remove anything, however, since everything is protected in the national park.
Look out onto the horizon for views of extraordinary sea stacks. No matter what the season, the sea stacks create stunning photo opportunities. Rising up from the ocean floor, these unusual rock towers vary in size, from boulder-sized islands to large monolithic stacks. Just off the coast, look for the biggest sea stack, so large it supports trees and other vegetation. These unique formations show just how much power nature has over shaping this wild and wonderful landscape.
When the tide is out you can easily amble along most of the sandy beach. However, if you arrive when the tide is in, only a narrow strip of land will remain passable. Check tide charts before embarking on any coastal hikes in the area, because some parts of the coast can become impassable.
There are over 200 camping sites in Kalaloch and South Beach, as well as charming accommodation at Kalaloch Lodge. Reserve your accommodation in advance since they can be busy during summer months.
Ruby Beach is located just off the scenic highway that circles Olympic National Park. It is about 130 miles (208 kilometres) from the city of Olympia, or 83 miles (133 kilometres) from Port Angeles.
