If you think all the best beaches in Washington are crowded, think again, because this road trip is all about the secret beaches in Washington that most people drive right past.
We’re talking driftwood-strewn shores, hidden waterfalls, sea stacks, tide pools, and sunsets that will blow your flip-flops off.
You’ll hike through mossy forests, park your car right on the sand, and maybe even spot a bald eagle or an orca if you’re lucky.
These beaches aren’t packed with tourists or lined with snack stands, but instead they’re quiet, wild, and totally worth the extra effort to find.
1. Point No Point Beach
Point No Point Beach is in Hansville, at the northern tip of the Kitsap Peninsula, and has the oldest lighthouse in Puget Sound (the Point No Point Lighthouse has been shining since 1879).
This beach is perfect for driftwood forts, and spotting seals or even orcas if you’re lucky, plus the calm water makes it great for a relaxing kayak ride.
There’s also a short 1.5-mile loop trail through marshes and birdwatching areas, so bring binoculars because bald eagles and great blue herons can be seen here.
2. Foulweather Bluff Preserve
About a 10-minute drive west of Point No Point, Foulweather Bluff Preserve feels like stumbling into a hidden forest that just happens to end at the beach.
You’ll hike about 1 mile through mossy woods, past giant cedars and Douglas firs, before popping out onto a quiet stretch of shoreline with no crowds and no noise.
There’s just driftwood, pebbles, and views of the Olympic Mountains.
It’s part of a 101-acre nature preserve protected by The Nature Conservancy, so everything here feels wild and untouched, and it’s one of the best spots around for watching migrating birds in the fall.
3. Dungeness Spit Trail
If you’re up for a beach hike that’s totally out of the ordinary, the Dungeness Spit Trail near Sequim is your next move.
This skinny sand spit stretches 5.5 miles into the Strait of Juan de Fuca (it’s actually the longest natural sand spit in the U.S.), and you can walk all the way to the Dungeness Lighthouse at the tip.
Along the way, you’ll see crashing waves on one side, calm bay water on the other, and loads of seabirds.
Plus, the full round-trip is about 11 miles, so pack snacks and get ready for an epic beach adventure.
4. Chito Beach
After all that walking, Chito Beach is the perfect place to kick back and do absolutely nothing, except maybe stare at the ocean for hours.
It’s a rocky stretch of shoreline just off Highway 112, about 10 minutes from Sekiu.
What makes it special isn’t the size, but the insane sunsets, cozy beach cabins, and views of Vancouver Island across the water.
There’s driftwood everywhere, campfire rings near the shore, and on clear nights, you can sometimes spot the Milky Way stretching over the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
5. Sooes Beach
About a 30-minute drive from Chito Beach, Sooes Beach is wide, wild, and way off the tourist radar.
It’s part of the Makah Reservation and it features a sandy bay, giant drift logs, and tide pools that look like mini aquariums when the water’s low.
You won’t find crowds here, just open shoreline, crashing waves, and maybe a bald eagle flying overhead while you walk down the beach.
6. Kayostia Beach
Next up is Kayostia Beach, another lesser-known spot that stays quieter than some of the more popular beaches nearby.
It’s located at the end of a gravel road near the Makah Museum, with soft sand, scattered sea stacks, and hardly a footprint in sight.
You can watch the waves crash right up against ancient rock formations, and if you time it with low tide, the beach stretches way out so it’s perfect for long walks and tide pool treasure hunts.
7. Third Beach, La Push
Next up is Third Beach near La Push, and it totally lives up to the hype.
You’ll hike about 1.4 miles through lush coastal forest, then boom, there’s the beach, with sea stacks, waterfalls, and crashing waves straight out of a movie.
At the south end, a 100-foot waterfall spills right onto the sand, and if you stick around for sunset, the colors over the ocean are next-level gorgeous.
8. Roosevelt Beach
After the forested hike to Third Beach, Roosevelt Beach feels like a total change of scene.
It’s just south of the town of Pacific Beach, and the best part is you can literally park your car on the beach and picnic with ocean views from the driver’s seat.
The waves here are big, the beach is flat and massive, and there’s always space to fly a kite, hunt for sand dollars, or just sit and listen to the surf roll in.
9. Pacific Beach, Ocean Shores
Just a few minutes down the road, Pacific Beach in Ocean Shores has that classic beach town vibe, with salt in the air and taffy shops nearby.
The beach itself is huge, with soft gray sand, rolling waves, and plenty of space to build a sandcastle the size of a small house.
The area is also a hot spot for storm watching in the winter, when the wind howls and the waves put on a seriously dramatic show.
10. Bottle Beach State Park
For something totally different, Bottle Beach State Park near Aberdeen is all about the birds.
This quiet little beach sits along Grays Harbor and has a flat, 0.7-mile trail that leads to a viewing platform where you can spot sandpipers, dunlins, and black-bellied plovers during migration season.
It’s not your typical sandy hangout spot, but if you love nature walks and have a pair of binoculars handy, this place is birdwatching heaven.
The spring migration is a particularly good time to visit and it’s even part of the Washington State Birding Trail.
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