Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach offers an unforgettable, rugged coastal experience, perfect for a quick stop or a leisurely exploration. The short path from the parking area leads you down to a dramatic shoreline, where you'll find towering sea stacks, like Abbey Island, rising from the Pacific. The beach itself is a fascinating landscape of sand, pebbles, and an incredible collection of massive driftwood logs, creating a unique and ever-changing scene. At low tide, vibrant tide pools reveal a hidden world of marine life, making it a captivating spot for nature lovers and photographers.

This easy 0.6-mile (0.9 km) hike has no elevation gain and takes only about 14 minutes to reach the beach, though you'll want to spend much longer exploring. The trail is easily accessible from Highway 101, with a parking area right at the trailhead. For the best experience, plan your visit around low tide to explore the tide pools and safely cross Cedar Creek, which can become impassable at high tide. Arriving early can help you secure parking during busy periods.

Ruby Beach is renowned for its unique geological features and the sheer volume of artistic driftwood that washes ashore, setting it apart from other Olympic Coast trails. It's an excellent spot for wildlife viewing, with opportunities to see bald eagles, seabirds, and even whales offshore. The beach's name comes from the reddish crystals in the sand, which shimmer in the sun, adding another layer of natural beauty to this iconic Olympic National Park destination.