Rialto Beach is easily one of the most stunning beaches in Washington. It's located along the Pacific Ocean on Washington's Olympic Peninsula and is a part of the Olympic National Park. In this ultimate guide, we'll tell you everything you need to know about this must-visit beach!

At Rialto Beach, you can expect to find tide pools, amazing sunsets, and a rocky shoreline. With an ocean beach and coastal forest, there's so much to see and do. Whether you're looking to get adventurous or simply take in the scenery, you can find it at this incredible Washington coast beach.

With the city of Forks just 20 minutes away, various hotels close by, and camping opportunities in the park, this is a great vacation destination. It's especially enjoyable for nature lovers who love to explore.

About Rialto Beach

Rialto Beach is a public beach near the mouth of the Quillayute River on the Olympic Coast. It boasts almost 4 miles of pristine shoreline and offers a picture-perfect Pacific Ocean panorama. The best part is that the beach is relatively remote, so you can usually enjoy much of it for yourself.

Instead of a sandy beach, you'll find rocks, including pebbles, cobbles, and fine sediments. Olympic beaches are rocky due to erosion nearby. While the beach isn't ideal for water activities, it's easy to have an unforgettable experience.

At Rialto Beach, you can also find tide pools, sea stacks, and driftwood logs. There are also huge trees in a tree graveyard that are strewn about due to storms. Their natural look decorates the shoreline and makes for a cool photo opp.

While there isn't much sand for sunbathing, it's a fantastic place to take photos and appreciate the views. Many people prefer wearing water shoes so that they can explore in comfort.

Wildlife enthusiasts especially love to visit Rialto Beach. You can find diverse wildlife, including seals, sea lions, spy whales, bald eagles, and seabirds.

The most unique feature of the beach might be the Hole-in-the-Wall. This iconic attraction is a magical sea arch, about a mile walk from the beach. It's best to watch tide charts and check this out at low tide so you can explore the hole. Often, visitors find anemones and starfish.

Visiting Rialto Beach

Rialto Beach is a must-see at Olympic National Park, especially if you have a special appreciation for nature.

While Rialto Beach is somewhat off the beaten path, it can get busy during the summer. The long beach offers plenty of space to spread out though. The two parking lots offer limited spaces, so we recommend getting there as early as possible.

Don't forget that you'll need a National Park Pass to visit the beach. You can purchase an annual pass online or get a day pass at a local ranger station. Learn more about passes here!

How to Get to Rialto Beach

Rialto Beach is on the Northwest edge of Olympic National Park. It's at the mouth of the Quillayute River on the opposite side of First Beach, Second Beach, and Third Beach.

The easiest way to get to Rialto Beach is from the nearby city of Forks. From Forks, you'll head west on Highway 110. About 10 miles outside of Forks, you'll get to a Y on the road. Go right at the Y to get to Rialto Beach via Mora Road. The beach is just next to Mora Campground.

You'll get to the beach from Mora Road, off of La Push Road, no matter where you're coming from.

Once you arrive, you'll find two small parking lots by the tree line along the beach. Again, parking can fill up during peak season, but usually, you don't have to wait too long for a spot to open up.

Once you park, it's a short walk to the shore. Then, you can explore the trail and areas at and around the beach.

Where to Stay

The closest town where you can find a few hotel options near Rialto Beach is Forks, about a 20-minute drive away. With that said, there are a couple of others closer. There are also several opportunities for camping in Olympic National Park.

Our favorite hotel in Forks is the Pacific Inn Motel, a relaxed motel surrounded by nature. They also offer apartment-style accommodations, ideal for more extended stays.

There is also a unique lodge about 10 minutes from the beach, 3 Rivers Resort. Here, you can enjoy a cozy cabin in the woods with various wilderness activities nearby.

For a fun experience in nature, we recommend camping in Olympic National Park. Mora Campground is an established campground just a few minutes from the beach, nestled in a coastal forest. This is a great place to car camp, and you can find RV and tent sites surrounded by lush greenery and two major bodies of water.

If you're interested in camping in the park, there are various campgrounds operated by the national park service. Check those out here.

Rialto Beach Review

Rialto Beach is one of the most unique beaches in the Pacific Northwest. Its beautiful sea stacks are unlike anything else and a must-see in our book.

While it's not the best beach for swimming or sunbathing, there's still plenty to enjoy. From unique wildlife and massive rock formations to driftwood logs and nature trails, it's easy to be impressed by this magical beach!

Anglers also enjoy shore fishing at Rialto Beach. With that said, you'll need a fishing license if you're fishing from the shore. Otherwise, it's not required to fish in other areas of Olympic National Park.

The Hole-in-the-Wall brings many visitors to Rialto Beach and is well worth checking out! However, you'll want to wear shoes that are appropriate for this short hike.

The best time of year to go in is during summer when the weather is moderate to warm. Most people enjoy Rialto Beach between June and August, but there's always a chance of rain, so it never hurts to have a rain jacket handy. Other times of the year, it can be windy and chilly, especially along the shore, so be sure to dress appropriately.

We recommend checking the tide chart and visiting when there aren't high tides, that way there's enough space to walk around.