Pros & cons
PROS
- One of the least-visited stretches of the Olympic coast, even in peak season
- Hidden waterfall upstream of Goodman Creek adds a quiet side trip
CONS
- Tide timing controls progress; some headlands are impassable at high water
- Creek crossings, mud, and ladders make travel slower than mileage suggests
Use either end of the South Coast Route: Third Beach Trailhead (north end) or Oil City Trailhead (south end). Goodman Creek lies between Toleak Point and the Hoh River mouth.
Carry and use a tide table; several headlands are impassable at high tide. Expect slippery rock, ladders, mud, and creek crossings that can become hazardous after rain. Fog can reduce visibility. No pets; group size limit 12; bear canisters required for overnight food storage.
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.
Elevation
17 mi · 48 hrWildlife on this trail
Near Goodman Creek Trail
All places →All trails →
Crescent LakeTurquoise, glassy lake ringed by steep forested mountainsTrailhead · Restroom
Hoh Rain ForestMoss-draped rainforest with easy loops and elk along a glacier riverTrailhead · Parking
Hurricane RidgeWind-whipped alpine ridge with huge Olympic Mountain viewsTrailhead · Restroom
Hall of MossesA moss-draped rainforest loop that feels like a fairy taleTrailhead · Restroom
High Divide TrailRainforest-to-ridge loop with lakes, bears, and Mount Olympus viewsChallenging · 19 mi · 11.6 hr
Hoh River TrailIconic rainforest-to-glacier walk from mossy giants to Blue GlacierModerate · 17.5 mi · 48 hr
Seven Lakes Basin / High Divide LoopIconic ridge and lake loop with Mount Olympus front and centerChallenging · 19 mi · 11 hr
Grand Ridge Trail (Obstruction Point to Deer Park)Lofty, view-soaked ridge traverse with zero shade and zero waterChallenging · 7.5 mi · 5 hr
