The Best Beaches and Tide Pooling in Olympic National Park With Kids
There is something about the beaches in Olympic National Park that feel truly magical.
Instead of the warm sand and calm water we usually picture when we think of a beach day, Olympic’s coastline is wild and rugged, with massive driftwood logs, towering sea stacks, moss-covered forests, and waves crashing against the shore. And then, when the tide pulls back, you get the chance to explore an entire underwater world.
For families, exploring the beaches and tide pooling in Olympic National Park is a must-do activity. Your kids will love searching for sea stars, climbing over driftwood, splashing in the waves, and holding a hermit crab in their hand.
After spending some time along the Olympic coast during our Washington and Oregon campervan road trip, I quickly realized that the beaches are not just stops between other attractions. They are an entire destination of their own.
Here are some of the best beaches and tide pooling in Olympic National Park to add to your family itinerary.
1. Second Beach
If you only have time for one beach near Olympic National Park, I highly recommend Second Beach.
The adventure begins before you reach the water. You must first hike a short, 0.8 mile trail that winds through a lush coastal forest, and then suddenly the trees open up to reveal a beautiful sandy beach surrounded by sea stacks and crashing waves.
Once you reach the shoreline, there is plenty to explore. Your kids will love exploring the interesting rocks, splashing in the waves and searching the tide pools for sea creatures.
Second Beach is a fantastic place for tide pooling in Olympic National Park. Make sure you check the tide chart and visit as close to low tide as possible for the best experience.
Family tip: Wear shoes that can handle mud and uneven terrain. The rocks are slippery and can be sharp, so you want footwear that will protect your toes. We love the Keen sandals for adventures like this.
2. Salt Creek Recreation Area
Best for: Easy coastal exploring and tide pooling near Port Angeles
While Salt Creek is not technically inside Olympic National Park, it is one of the best coastal stops to add to an Olympic Peninsula itinerary—especially if you are staying near Port Angeles or exploring the northern side of the peninsula.
Located along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Salt Creek offers beautiful ocean views, rocky shoreline, tide pools, and plenty of space to explore. It’s also a great spot to watch for marine wildlife, such as whales, seals and porpoises.
At low tide, the rocky areas reveal marine life such as anemones, crabs, mussels, and other small creatures.
Salt Creek is also a nice option when you want a coastal adventure without committing to a longer beach hike.
Family tip: Check the tide chart before visiting, and bring sturdy shoes with good traction. The rocks can be slippery.
3. Ruby Beach
Best for: Dramatic scenery with a relatively short walk to the shore
Ruby Beach is one of the most recognizable beaches along Olympic’s southern coast, and it is easy to understand why.
A short walk from the parking area leads to a shoreline filled with enormous driftwood logs, sea stacks, smooth rocks, and beautiful views of the Pacific. The beach feels wild and remote, but it is still relatively easy to access for a family outing.
This is the perfect beach for kids who love to explore. They can climb around driftwood, search for unusual rocks, watch the waves, and look for tide-pool creatures when the tide is low.
Ruby Beach is also a great stop to pair with the Hoh Rain Forest or Kalaloch because it is located along the southern portion of the Olympic coast.
4. Rialto Beach
Best for: Big waves, giant driftwood, and a classic Pacific Northwest beach
Rialto Beach is the beach has some amazing scenery and offers unique tide pooling during low tide.
The shoreline is rocky, with enormous driftwood logs, pounding waves, offshore sea stacks, and a rugged beauty that feels completely different from the sandy beaches many families are used to visiting.
A short path leads from the parking area to the beach, making it an accessible option for families who want dramatic scenery without a long hike.
Another unique thing to do here is take a walk north along the beach toward Hole-in-the-Wall, a sea-carved arch located about 1.5 miles from the beach access. Note that this should be treated as a tide-dependent adventure.
5. Beach 4
Best for: Tide pooling
If your kids are fascinated by sea creatures, Beach 4 should be near the top of your list.
Located in the Kalaloch area, Beach 4 is one of the most popular tide-pooling spots in Olympic National Park. At low tide, the rocky shoreline reveals sea stars, anemones, mussels, barnacles, and other marine life.
This is the kind of place where you can spend an hour exploring just a few feet of shoreline, and it turns an afternoon at the beach into a hands-on science lesson.
Make sure you are careful not to disturb the animals. Tide pools are living ecosystems, and even small actions can cause harm.
What Kids Can Find in Olympic’s Tide Pools
Depending on the beach and tide conditions, you may see:
- Sea stars
- Sea anemones
- Hermit crabs
- Shore crabs
- Mussels
- Barnacles
- Limpets
- Sea snails
- Sea urchins
- Small fish
- Kelp and other marine plants
Tide Pooling Safety With Kids
The Pacific coast is beautiful, but it is not a typical swimming beach.
Before heading out, check the tide chart and make sure you understand when the water will begin coming back in. Some coastal areas can become impassable during high tide, and sneaker waves can be dangerous.
A few things I would always bring:
- Sturdy shoes with good traction
- Warm layers and rain jackets
- Extra clothes for kids
- Snacks and water
- Quick drying towel
And remember: look, but do not touch or remove tide-pool creatures, shells, rocks, or driftwood.
Which Beach Should Your Family Visit?
If you are choosing based on the kind of experience you want:
For the best overall family adventure: Second Beach
For an easy stop near Port Angeles: Salt Creek Recreation Area
For the most picture-perfect scenery: Ruby Beach
For dramatic waves and driftwood: Rialto Beach
For tide pooling: Beach 4
All of Olympic National Park’s beaches feel wild and unique, and whether you have time to visit 1 or multiple, you will still get a taste of the magic of this park.
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