Beach 3 Trail

Third Beach is the classic La Push forest-to-coast hike: about 2.8 miles round-trip (roughly 1.4 miles each way) from La Push Road through mossy coastal rainforest to a big, wild Pacific beach. You’ll hear a creek before you see the ocean, then pop out to a sandy shoreline framed by sea stacks and the distant Giants Graveyard. It’s short, but not a cakewalk—the final descent has steep grades (up to 30%) and stairs, and there’s a driftwood barrier to clamber over to reach the sand.

The approach starts wide and compacted, then narrows as you drop through hemlock, fern, and dripping moss. Expect mud after rain and slippery footing when it’s wet. Once on the beach, head south about half a mile to a photogenic waterfall that spills directly onto the sand—an easy add-on if tides allow. If you wander north toward Teahwit Head, keep an eye out for remnants of early oil-wildcatting equipment, a quirky historical curiosity on this otherwise primitive coast.

Tide awareness matters here. Exploring beyond the main beach can require timing your moves around headlands that are impassable at higher tides. Bring and know how to read a tide chart if you plan to go past the immediate beach; people do get stranded when water rises. At low tide, you’ll find tidepools and wider, easier travel; at higher water, expect more cobbles and drift logs to negotiate.

Camping is allowed on the beach with a backcountry permit and a required bear canister, and many backpackers use Third Beach as a launch point for longer coastal trips toward Toleak Point. There’s a privy near the beach on a short side path—handy for day hikers and overnighters alike.

Best time to hike: Spring through fall offers the most pleasant conditions, with summer being the driest. Winter is very doable but prepare for mud and slick roots. Regardless of season, arrive early on weekends—parking is limited—and plan your photography or tidepooling for lower tides when reflections and marine life are at their best.