Clallam County: Coast, Nature and Culture

Clallam County is bordered to the west and north by the coasts of the Pacific Ocean and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. To the south, the county boundary runs through Olympic National Park. Coasts, forests, and mountains give the region a variety of draws: you can explore trails, observe wildlife, or learn about the history and culture of the Olympic Peninsula.

Landscapes and Trails in Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is partly in Clallam County and covers about 922,650 acres. The landscapes the park protects include glaciated mountains, old-growth temperate rainforests, and more than 70 miles of unspoiled coastline. In the Hoh Rain Forest, two loop trails pass by different natural features: the 0.8-mile Hall of Mosses Trail winds through old-growth forest. The 1.2-mile Spruce Nature Trail follows Taft Creek and the Hoh River. The shorter Hall of Mosses Trail (0.8 miles) winds through old-growth forest; the 1.2-mile Spruce Nature Trail follows Taft Creek and the Hoh River.

The Cape Flattery Trail can also be described with clear trail details: each way is three-quarters of a mile through the forest to a cliff-top platform overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Four viewing platforms also offer views of Tatoosh Island, rugged rocks, birds, and the ocean. The trail is open daily year-round from sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. A Makah Recreation Permit is required for recreational activities such as sightseeing, hiking, beach walks, kayaking, diving, and birdwatching. A Makah Tribe permit is also required for parking at the trailhead.

Hurricane Ridge is the most easily accessible mountain area in Olympic National Park. In clear weather, it offers impressive views in every season. Those interested in wildlife will find a different focus at Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, where visitors can observe bald eagles, brant, rough-skinned newts, harbor seals, and black oystercatchers. An easy, half-mile trail leads to a viewpoint; from there, it continues as a five-mile trail across Dungeness Spit to the lighthouse. The viewpoint and the lighthouse provide different destinations for the two sections.

Parks, Riverfronts, and Multi-Use Trails

Clallam County's park system includes 19 day-use parks spread throughout the county. Dungeness Trails County Park has a 10- to 15-mile non-motorized trail network across 395.5 acres. The park is still being developed and is partially open to mountain bikers, walkers, runners, hikers, and horseback riders.

The 21-mile Olympic Adventure Trail is a natural-surface trail for biking and hiking. The Olympic Discovery Trail passes through Sequim, Port Angeles, and Forks. At Railroad Bridge Park, it crosses the Dungeness River on a historic railroad trestle with a smooth surface and safety railings. The park covers 75 wooded acres and provides access to the riverbank along an undeveloped stretch of the river. It is designated an Important Bird Area; eagles, hawks, songbirds, Canada geese, snow geese, and trumpeter swans regularly visit. The bird designation and access to the riverbank describe two distinct aspects of the park.

At Striped Peak Trail, the hike itself is the focus: the loop hike is five miles long and has 850 feet of elevation gain. Details like these help you compare trails by distance and elevation gain rather than choosing one based on its name alone.

Culture, History, and Coastal Experiences

Museums and events offer further ways to connect with the region's history and culture. The Carnegie Museum displays cultural and historical artifacts about the history of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and other tribes on the Olympic Peninsula. A family-friendly exhibit covers the measures and steps needed to promote ecological growth in the region. Visitors are asked to make an appointment in advance.

Sequim Museum & Arts collects, preserves, and displays artifacts and information about human and natural history through research, education, and exhibits. Its exhibits focus on the history of the Sequim and Dungeness areas. At the Dungeness River Nature Center, exhibits introduce the diversity of the Dungeness Watershed and the thousands of years people have used this landscape. At Feiro Marine Life Center, visitors can experience local marine life up close.

The Makah Museum displays artifacts from the Ozette archaeological site that are 300 to 500 years old. Makah Days is an annual celebration featuring traditional dances, canoe races, a salmon feast, Native arts and crafts, a parade, and fireworks; details may vary from year to year. One route also has a special cultural distinction: Cape Flattery Tribal Scenic Byway was the first tribal road to be designated a National Scenic Byway by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

At Hobuck Beach, on the west side of the Makah Reservation along the Pacific Ocean, visitors can go for walks, birdwatch, surf, camp, and swim. This makes it easy to plan your trip around the experiences that interest you most.

Explore more destinations: Forks, Port Angeles, Sequim, Carlsborg, Thurston County, Yakima, Stevens County, Cowlitz.

For the overview of the wider region: Washington.