Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall Trail

Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall is an out-and-back along the open shore, from the beach parking area to a natural sea arch. Plan on about 3.3 miles round trip; the arch is roughly 1.5 miles north, then you return the same way. There is no continuous built footpath: the beach itself is the trail, changing between sand, pebbles, rock and driftwood. The overall grade is low, but loose stones and big logs make it slower and more tiring than an ordinary flat path. Allow about three hours if you want time to watch the tide and explore the pools. Choose it for a few hours on the coast; if you want a firm, even surface, make this a shorter beach visit.

The arch is not an all-tide destination. Check the tide table for Rialto before you leave, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the lowest tide, and aim for a tide below one foot if tidepools are the reason for going. The incoming tide can cover the arch floor; do not pass through once water covers it. At higher water, an overland path above the arch offers a view from the south, but it does not make the arch passage or tidepools safe. Algae-coated rocks are extremely slippery, and falling rock is a hazard beneath the wave-battered arch, so keep out from under it.

From the lot, walk north along the waterline. Sand gives way to small stones and pebbles, with driftwood logs, cobbles and wave-washed rock to work around. The beach changes constantly, so there is no single track to follow and the easiest line can change with surf and tide. Around a mile in, Ellen Creek cuts across the beach. It may be crossed on a log or by wading; water depth and speed change with conditions, and rain can make the flow faster. Do not assume a log will be there or the water shallow. Be ready to turn around if the crossing is unsafe.

Hole-in-the-Wall comes into view at the north end, where the beach narrows around a dark rock wall and its sea arch. At a suitably low tide, the adjacent pools may reveal sea anemones, sea stars, crabs and urchins. Look south for James and Little James islands and Gunsight Rock, with offshore stacks along the way. Leave tidepool life and seaweed in place. From outside the arch, a sea stack framed through the opening makes a strong view; include the pebbled shore or surf at the bottom to show its scale.

This is part of Olympic's protected wilderness shoreline. The park describes the coast as ancestral cedar-canoe country, between local tribal fishing villages; Congress designated much of Olympic as wilderness in 1988. Seals, sea lions, sea otters, whales, seabirds and eagles use this coast, though sightings are seasonal and never guaranteed.

Start at Rialto Beach parking at the end of Mora Road. Parking is limited and can fill around popular low-tide windows, so leave time to park before your tide window. Accessible restrooms and a paved picnic area with tables are by the beach. Bring drinking water; reports conflict about whether the restroom faucet has water. No food service was found at the lot or along the walk. Leashed pets may go from the parking area only as far as Ellen Creek; they are prohibited beyond it, so this full hike is for people without pets. An overnight coast trip requires a wilderness permit. The park lists April through October as the best season, but tide planning matters year-round.