Backpacking Rialto Beach: Olympic Coast Adventure

It’s hard to beat backpacking Rialto Beach for a true Pacific Northwest adventure. The second you step out of the parking lot, you’re already on the sand with the Pacific crashing at your feet. Sea stacks rise from the surf, tide pools sparkle with anemones and sea stars, and massive driftwood logs line the shore like nature’s playground. Add in the famous Hole-in-the-Wall, and you’ve got one of the most iconic stretches of coast in Olympic National Park — and honestly, one of my favorite places to camp with kids.

But what makes Rialto special isn’t just the scenery — it’s the feeling. There’s no cell service, no rush, no inbox. Just the roar of the waves, salt on the air, and kids running wild between driftwood and tide pools. On our last trip we built a bonfire that burned until midnight, chased waves until we were soaked, explored past Hole-in-the-Wall, climbed driftwood towers, and fell asleep on the sand. It’s one of those trips that makes you wish time would slow down.

📊 Trail Stats – Rialto Beach

  • Distance: 1.5 miles to the beach camps, 3.3 miles round trip to Hole-in-the-Wall
  • Elevation Gain: ~286 feet
  • Difficulty: Moderate — not for the distance, but because sand + driftwood are sneaky tough with a pack
  • Best Season: Late spring through early fall
  • Permits: Wilderness camping permit required (Recreation.gov)
  • Camping: Primitive sites above the high tide line (no designated spots — pick a flat driftwood-sheltered area)
  • Water: Very limited freshwater — bring extra and a filter or purification tablets

💡 Don’t be fooled by the mileage. Hiking with a full pack through sand and over driftwood is way harder than the stats suggest.

Why Families Love Rialto Beach

The trail itself is short, but the payoff is huge. Kids can spend hours climbing driftwood, spotting crabs in tide pools, or just running along the sand while parents set up camp. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure spot where there’s always something to explore — and it feels totally different at high tide versus low tide.

Yes, Hole-in-the-Wall is popular during the day. But here’s the secret: once the day-trippers leave, it’s just you, the sound of the ocean, and maybe a couple other campers down the beach. Sunrise with the sea stacks glowing gold? It feels like you have the Pacific all to yourself.

Getting to Rialto Beach from Seattle

If you’re coming from Seattle, ferries make the trip faster and more fun. The Bainbridge ferry from downtown is the classic route, but the Edmonds–Kingston ferry is better if you’re starting north of the city. From there, it’s a 3.5–4 hour drive around Hood Canal and through small towns on the Olympic Peninsula.

The last stretch along Mora Road winds through old-growth forest before ending right at the sand. By the time you step out of the car, you can already smell the mix of salt and cedar.

Planning Your Coastal Adventure

  • Permits: Reserve on Recreation.gov — summer weekends book fast.
  • Bear Canisters: Required for food storage (rentable at ranger stations).
  • Tide Charts: A must for tide pooling and campsite safety.
  • Weather: The coast changes fast — always pack rain gear and layers.

Choosing Your Campsite

Camping here is choose-your-own style. Look for a flat spot tucked behind driftwood, above the high tide line, and at least 100 feet from streams. Deer and elk sometimes wander the beach, so avoid wildlife paths.

💡 Pro tip: Watch the tide line before you set up. I’ve seen people wake up surrounded by water when they set up too close.

Gear for Coastal Backpacking

Beach camping is harsher on gear than the mountains: salt, sand, and constant wind. Bring sturdy, simple gear that can take a beating.

My go-to picks:

Kid extras we loved:

  • REI Tarn 40 — fits well, grows with them.
  • Crocs or water shoes for tide pools + camp.
  • Tide pool kit: small nets + waterproof notebooks (ours got a ton of use).
  • Extra warm layers in dry bags — nothing worse than wet fleece at night.

🌊 Coastal Safety Essentials

  • Read tide charts: some sections only passable at low tide.
  • Watch sneaker waves: bigger sets can surge up farther than you expect.
  • Be careful around driftwood: even small waves can move big logs.
  • Teach kids: where to stand, what not to touch, how tides change.

Tide Pools & Hole-in-the-Wall

At low tide, head north to Hole-in-the-Wall. It’s like a living aquarium — purple urchins, bright orange sea stars, crabs, anemones. My kids could have spent all day here. South, the beach widens out toward the Quillayute River mouth, perfect for beachcombing or kite flying.

💡 Tide pool etiquette: step on bare rock, not living creatures. Look but don’t take. If you lift a rock, put it back how you found it.

Beach Cooking & Bonfire Magic

Cooking here is simple but fun — pasta, couscous, foil-wrapped veggies all work well. Bring extra snacks; salty air makes everyone hungrier.

But the real magic? The bonfires. Driftwood piles make for epic campfires (when permitted), and there’s nothing like sipping hot chocolate while the sun sets behind the sea stacks. We roasted marshmallows until our fingers were sticky, then curled up in the sand listening to the waves.

Why Rialto Beach Stays With You

Backpacking Rialto isn’t about summiting or big mileage. It’s about letting the ocean slow you down. The waves here have been crashing for thousands of years and will keep crashing long after us. Camping on the sand, you feel like a small part of something timeless — and your kids feel like they own the biggest playground in the world.

Every time we’ve left Rialto, we’re already planning the next trip back.

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