Ruby Beach: sea stacks, tidepools & a coastal road trip
Sea stacks, driftwood and a forest path to the Pacific. Make Ruby Beach your coastal stop on the Highway 101 route south of Forks.
Choose the beach that fits your route.
| Choice | Choose it for | Route fit |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby Beach | A short approach to Pacific sea-stack scenery | Highway 101 coast near Kalaloch |
| Rialto Beach | A Forks-area coastal visit or Hoh combination | Mora / Forks side of the coast |
| Salt Creek | A closer Strait of Juan de Fuca outing | A local day from Port Angeles |
The drive from Port Angeles
Follow US 101 west through Forks, then south to the signed Ruby Beach parking area, about 7.5 miles north of Kalaloch. Allow roughly 2–2.5 hours from Port Angeles before longer stops.
The access path is roughly 735 feet long and descends to the beach over uneven ground, with driftwood at the bottom. The NPS beach access page describes the terrain. Add a western overnight for more time on this coastline.
Why choose Ruby Beach?
Ruby Beach puts sea stacks, driftwood and tidepool habitat at the end of a short forest approach. It is a rewarding stop on the US 101 coastal route near Kalaloch, with a different setting from the northern park valleys.
Choose Ruby when you are traveling south from Forks or staying along the western coast. From Port Angeles, give the journey and shoreline a dedicated day.
From the overlook to the beach
The viewing area is near the parking lot. A compacted-gravel path about 735 feet long descends to the shore, with steep grades, drainage dips and changing driftwood at the beach.
Allow for the uphill return. Visitors staying at the overlook get a coastal view, though vegetation affects some seated sightlines.
Give the shoreline time
Set aside one to two hours for the access path, a shoreline walk and the return to the car. Stay longer when conditions suit exploring the shore.
Lower water reveals more beach and intertidal habitat. Stay clear of wave-tossed logs and use the conditions to choose a safe turnaround before creeks or headlands.
Ruby or Rialto? Let the route decide
Choose Ruby for the US 101 coastal route around Kalaloch. Choose Rialto for a Forks-based beach day or the Hoh-and-Rialto guided itinerary. Spend more time at the one that fits your route.
The selected Port Angeles tour visits Rialto Beach with Hoh Rain Forest. Ruby is a separate self-drive stop farther south.
Add a western overnight when the coast is the priority
Place Ruby in the western part of a multi-day route. Forks or Kalaloch keeps the next morning closer to the coast, with less backtracking to Port Angeles.
Use Port Angeles for the northern park and ferry days, then move west once. Our overnight guide explains the regions.
Facilities and a practical visit
Parking and vault toilets are at the trailhead. Bring food and water for the visit and store supplies according to park wildlife rules. Leashed dogs are permitted at Ruby under the local pet and cleanup rules.
Use the current park access notices for a stormy coastal day. Stay back from waves and unstable driftwood, including when stopping for a photograph.
Give the western peninsula its own time.
Compare a Port Angeles base with a western overnight before choosing rooms for the coast.
Useful answers.
Does the Hoh-and-Rialto tour visit Ruby Beach?
No. The selected tour visits Rialto Beach. Ruby is a separate destination on the coastal Highway 101 route.
Is there a long hike to the first beach access?
The approach is short, but it descends from the bluff and is steep in places. Beach conditions and the uphill return affect the effort.
Can I bring a dog to Ruby Beach?
Yes. NPS permits leashed pets at Ruby Beach under its cleanup and pet rules. Other Olympic beaches have different restrictions.
More places to explore.
Rialto Beach
Visit Rialto Beach for sea stacks, shoreline walks and Hole-in-the-Wall. Find tide-planning advice and a guided Hoh Rain Forest day from Port Angeles.
Explore the guide →
Hoh Rain Forest
Explore Hoh Rain Forest: Hall of Mosses, Spruce Nature Trail and a Pacific beach pairing. Book a local guided day or plan a western Olympic overnight.
Explore the guide →
Where to stay for Olympic National Park
Find where to stay for Olympic National Park: Port Angeles, Lake Crescent, Forks, Kalaloch, Quinault or Sol Duc, matched to each part of your route.
Explore the guide →