Goodman Creek Trail

Why this hike

The Goodman Creek section delivers the classic, raw Olympic coast: wild Pacific beaches strewn with driftwood, misty Sitka spruce and hemlock, tide pools, sea stacks, and real solitude. It’s not a standalone trail so much as the remote middle of the park’s South Coast Route—best for confident hikers who like their scenery earned and their plans pinned to the tide chart.

Trail overview

Goodman Creek lies between Toleak Point and the Hoh River mouth on the 17-mile, point-to-point South Coast Route from Third Beach Trailhead to Oil City Trailhead. Expect a mixed tread: sandy and cobbly beaches, muddy forest paths over headlands (some rising a few hundred feet), and occasional ladders to bypass cliffs. Several headlands are impassable at high tide; steep inland bypasses connect the beaches. Creek crossings—including Goodman Creek—can be tricky after rain or at higher tides. Travel is slower than you think.

Highlights include sweeping headland views, sea stacks, and a small, picturesque waterfall about a third of a mile upstream from Goodman Creek. If you’re walking more of the route, a 40-foot falls on nearby Falls Creek is another backpacker favorite. Wildlife is part of the payoff: bald eagles are common, seals patrol just offshore, and gray whales migrate past in spring and fall.

Know before you go

• Length: The full South Coast Route is 17 miles total (point-to-point). Goodman Creek is a section within that traverse; most hikers reach it as part of an overnight trip.
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult due to tides, headland climbs, ladders, and creek crossings. Some sections are only passable at low tide.
• Regulations: No pets. Group size limit is 12. Wilderness camping permits are required for overnights, and bear canisters are required for food storage. Camp on sand or established sites and follow Leave No Trace.
• Conditions: Expect rain, fog, and mud; navigation can feel committing in low visibility. Plan conservatively and carry a current tide table.

Best time to hike

May through October offers the safest window, with calmer seas and longer days. Winter storms and high tides can make this coast dangerous or outright inaccessible. For photography, plan headland rounds and reflective tide pools for lower tides; for wildlife, spring and fall bring whale migrations.

Bottom line

If you want wild coastline and true quiet, this stretch is worth it. If tides, ladders, and wet, uneven footing aren’t your thing, consider exploring nearer the ends of the route as a shorter day hike instead. Toleak Point (just north) is a good target if you’re testing the waters—figuratively and literally.

Stewardship note

The Toleak area has archaeological sites eroding from the bluffs. Look, don’t touch; leave artifacts in place.