Lake Ozette is the largest natural lake in Washington and the trailhead for one of the Olympic coast's best day hikes: the Cape Alava Loop, a triangle of boardwalk and beach connecting Cape Alava, Sand Point and the Ozette Ranger Station. Each leg runs about three miles, mostly on narrow cedar planking that takes you through mossy coastal forest and over boggy ground, with a 3-mile beach section in between. The total is roughly 9 miles. At Cape Alava, the westernmost point of the lower 48 states, you walk onto a wild shoreline of rocky tidal flats, sea stacks and offshore islands, and the Pacific rolls in with nothing between you and Japan.
The loop is as much about history as scenery. About 300 to 500 years ago a mudslide buried a Makah village near Cape Alava, preserving homes and thousands of artifacts that were uncovered by a winter storm in 1970 and excavated over the next decade. Many items, including whaling gear and cedar baskets, are displayed in the Makah Cultural and Research Center in Neah Bay.
Today you can walk the beach where the dig took place and imagine the village. Near Wedding Rocks, carved petroglyphs on the rocks show whales, faces and human figures, and you should treat them respectfully and without touching.
Planning matters. The beach section between Cape Alava and Sand Point is passable at most tides, but headland points can be tricky at high tide, so check a tide chart. Wear waterproof shoes, as the boardwalk can be slippery and the beach rocks can be wet. Bring plenty of water, food and layers, and be prepared for weather changes, with fog and rain possible any time. Dogs are not allowed on the trails. Overnight camping on the beach requires a wilderness permit and bear canisters.
The trailhead is remote. From Port Angeles it is about 1.5 to 2 hours by car, including a 21-mile spur road off Highway 112 near Sekiu, and the road is narrow and winding. Services at the ranger station are minimal. Cell service is unreliable, so tell someone your plans and arrive with fuel and food. In summer the parking area fills early. Start in the morning and give yourself a full day.
For a shorter outing, you can walk just the 3. 3-mile boardwalk to Cape Alava and back, or the same distance to Sand Point. Both give you the forest, the beach and a chance to spot sea otters, seals, eagles and, in season, gray whales offshore. It is a rewarding trip for anyone who likes remote coast and does not mind a long drive.
Consider pairing the hike with a trip to Neah Bay and Cape Flattery on the following day, since both lie in the far northwest corner and the drive from Port Angeles is long. Many visitors base themselves in a nearby town overnight to avoid back-to-back long drives.
Whatever your plan, the remote northwest corner rewards slow travel: expect to see few other cars, lots of birds, and a coastline that feels much as it did when the Makah village stood here. Pack a camera, a rain jacket and a snack, and leave extra time for the drive home.
What to expect
The experience
A roughly nine-mile loop of boardwalk and beach from Lake Ozette to Cape Alava and Sand Point, with shorter out-and-back options.
Best time
Summer and early autumn for the best chance of dry weather; check tides.
How long
A full day for the loop; three to four hours for a single boardwalk leg out and back.
Tips
Check the tide chart, carry water and layers, and tell someone your plans.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Hikers who want a wild coast without technical trails.
- Families
- Suits families with experienced young hikers; the boardwalk can be slippery.
- Couples
- Remote scenery and a sense of real isolation.
- Pair with
- Cape Flattery and the Makah museum in Neah Bay.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
How long is the Cape Alava loop?+
About nine miles, made of two roughly three-mile boardwalks and a three-mile beach section.
Why is Cape Alava famous?+
It is the westernmost point in the contiguous United States and the site of an ancient Makah village uncovered in 1970.
Where can I see the artifacts?+
In the Makah Cultural and Research Center in Neah Bay, which displays items from the Ozette excavation.
Do I need a permit?+
Day hiking does not require a wilderness permit, but overnight camping does. A park entrance fee or pass applies.
How far is it?+
About 1.5 to 2 hours from Port Angeles, with a long, narrow spur road at the end.
