North Coast Route: Sand Point to Rialto Beach

Start at the coastal Sand Point camp area, reached from the Ozette Ranger Station by the separate Sand Point Trail. The coast route heads south past South Sand Point and Yellow Banks, then keeps alternating between beaches and headlands. Norwegian Memorial and Chilean Memorial are reminders of shipwrecks on this exposed shore. Their names are useful waypoints, but don't mistake one for a staffed stop or a safe place to wait out the tide.

The sand can make for easier miles, while rocky shelves, loose cobble and algae-slick patches slow the walking and make footing more demanding. At several headlands, the beach disappears and the route climbs inland on steep, sometimes exposed overlands before dropping back to the water. South of Cedar Creek, one of those overlands is especially exposed. Toward the Rialto end, Hole-in-the-Wall's arch and offshore sea stacks are a striking finish; reaching the arch is still only the final part of this much longer traverse.

A tide chart and a topographic map marked with the impassable points are essential planning tools. Some headlands cannot be crossed along the beach at higher water, and high surf can make a route unsafe even when the tide looks workable. Set your day's plan around safe crossing windows and turn back before a passage becomes marginal. Steep bypass trails are part of the route, not an easy detour, and ropes found on them are not maintained by the park. Check the current route conditions before committing; shoreline access and hazards can change.

This is wilderness backpacking. Overnight wilderness permits are required year-round, and park-approved bear canisters are required for food, garbage and scented items. Pets and wheeled devices are not allowed on the coastal route. Pit toilets are available at several named camps, but there is no food service along the shore. Coastal streams can be tea-stained, salty at high tide or contaminated, so treat water; sources at Sand Point and South Sand Point can dry later in summer. Carry enough water for the stretch ahead rather than counting on a stream at the next camp.

The 17.3-mile route ends at Rialto Beach Parking Lot, while the Sand Point start is reached on foot from Ozette Ranger Station. Arrange a vehicle shuttle or another pickup between the two ends before starting; the road approach to Ozette is not part of the beach-route mileage. The longer Ozette-to-Rialto itinerary, including the inland approach, is planned as a three-to-four-day trip. For this shorter coastal section, allow roughly 12 to 14 hours of walking, split across multiple days so tide windows and a safe campsite, rather than a clock, set the pace. The beach's sea stacks, tide pools and driftwood are worth lingering over, but don't let a photo stop take the time needed for the next headland.