Best time to visit Olympic National Park, WA

Ozette Triangle Loop Trail in Olympic National Park, WA

Set out on an adventure in one of the Pacific Northwest's wildest places

Best time: April–October

Ozette Triangle Loop Trail
Ozette Triangle Loop Trail
Ozette Triangle Loop Trail
Ozette Triangle Loop Trail
Ozette Triangle Loop Trail
Ozette Triangle boardwalk

The Ozette Triangle Loop backpacking trail is an easy to moderate 9-mile (15-km) loop that stretches over mostly flat terrain in Olympic National Park's coastal forest. There are three aspects of this trail that make it one of the most exclusive experiences in the country. These are beaches, boardwalks, and bears. The best time to hike this trail is between April and October, so pack your raincoats and tide chart for this inspiring journey through one of the last bastions of old-growth forests in the country.

The 3-mile (5-km) stretch of trail that traverses the beach between Sand Point and Cape Alava has a peculiar type of beauty. During high tides, or when families of black bears (Ursus americanus) have decided to scavenge driftwood logs for a quick meal, this portion of the trail can be impassable. The highest tides can push massive logs around like matchsticks preventing travelers from forwarding progress between these two designated camping areas on the course. If you are lucky enough to be on the coast during a windstorm, hunker down and soak in the show. Watching the wind dance across the surface of these coastal waters while white-capped waves froth and swirl is a vision that few are lucky enough to witness.

The portions of the trail that run from between the trailhead at the Ozette Ranger Station to either Sand Point or Cape Alava utilize a wooden boardwalk. Stick to this walkway to avoid sinking into the spongy soil and minimize your impact on the surrounding environment. The path artfully winds its way through the cathedral-like forests that can sometimes be so dense, and shade you with a canopy so thick, that you feel like you are indoors. Whether you are on the boardwalk or on the beach, there is a high likelihood that you will come across a black bear. Olympic National Park has made carrying a bear canister mandatory for all backcountry hikers.

Before heading out, don't forget to snag a backcountry permit to walk this trail. A good plan is to start the loop an hour or two before low tide, so that when you reach the beach walk, you will not have to wait for the waters to recede. Making the decision to camp at Lake Ozette the night before will allow you the leeway to adapt your plan to the weather, which during winter months can sometimes be as turbulent as it is unpredictable.

Practical info

When is the best time to hike the Ozette Triangle Loop Trail, and why?

Hiking the Ozette Triangle Loop Trail between April and October is advisable due to milder temperatures and fewer showers. Low tide for beach walks is best an hour or two before and can be conveniently timed. Trekkers can have optimal hiking experiences in these conditions. Show more

Where is the Ozette Triangle Loop Trail located, and where does it take you?

The Ozette Triangle Loop Trail spans 9 miles in Olympic National Park's woods renowned for being a moderately easy hike on mainly flat terrain. Visitors get to explore the coastline's two beaches, Sand Point and Cape Alava, while traversing the loop via boardwalks and beaches, offering breathtaking Pacific Northwest coastal views. Show more

What type of terrain does the Ozette Triangle Loop Trail cover?

The Ozette Triangle Loop Trail includes level terrain through the coastal woods with boardwalks surrounded by forest areas having mushy soil. Similarly, on beaches, expect sand and pebbles, with obstacles like driftwood. To prevent erosion and sinking, walkers should stick to the trail and walkway on boardwalks. Show more

What kind of wildlife can you expect to encounter while hiking this trail, and how do you prepare for it?

Hiking the Ozette Triangle Loop Trail offers opportunities to spot various animals, including black bears, raccoons, and elks, among others. As a safety measure, Olympic National park mandates hikers to carry bear canisters. If they encounter wildlife, hikers should not startle them and try to maintain noise levels, keep an eye on food and other amenities, and avoid getting too close. Show more

What kind of permits or equipment are required to hike the Ozette Triangle Loop Trail, and where can you obtain them?

Before starting on the Ozette Triangle Loop Trail, you must acquire a backcountry permit, which you can obtain from the Wilderness Information Center at Olympic National Park either in person or online. The Park Authority requires the use of bear canisters as a safety measure, and visitors must check and carry other necessary equipment depending on seasonal changes, trail conditions, and weather forecasts, including tide charts and raincoats. Show more

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin