Rialto Beach

Sunset at Rialto Beach

NPS/Baccus

Notices:

• Wilderness Camping Permits are required for overnight hikes. Visit our Wilderness Backpacking Reservations page to learn how to obtain a permit.
• All food, garbage, and scented items must be stored—overnight and when unattended—in park-approved bear canisters along the entire Olympic National Park Wilderness Coast.
• Utilize existing fire rings. Do not gather firewood from the forested areas; use driftwood only.
• Leashed pets are allowed on Rialto Beach 0.8 mile north to Ellen Creek during daylight hours (camping with pets is prohibited.)

 

Description

• Ecosystem type: Coastal Forest and ocean beach
• Trail tread types: beach
• General elevation trend: Flat with steep overland trails
• River crossings: Ellen Creek
• Unique features: Beach hiking, natural arch
• Level of difficulty: Easy
• Distance: 1 mile to Hole-in-the-Wall camp area
• Elevation change: None
• Best Season: April through October

 

Camping

• Group Size Restrictions: Groups are limited to no more than 12 people. Associated groups of more than 12 must camp and travel at least 1 mile apart and may not combine at any time into a group of more than 12.
• Campsites: Numerous campsites between Ellen Creek and Hole-in-the-Wall.
• Toilet Facilities: A pit toilet may be available just south of Hole-in-the-Wall near the "split rock". In other areas bury waste 6-8" deep and 200 feet from campsites and water sources.
• Water Sources: Ellen Creek, various streams. Most coastal water sources have a tea-stained appearance. The light tan color originates from tannin leached from leaves. Cryptosporidium and giardia exist in coastal streams and rivers. Always filter or boil water. Iodine is ineffective against cryptosporidium.
• Stock: Prohibited on all park beaches and beach trails.

 

Trail Conditions

 

Special Concerns

• Practice Leave No Trace principles during your stay to protect vegetation and other wilderness resources. Camp in preexisting sites or on sand to prevent damage to vegetation.
• Fires: Only permitted in existing fire rings. Do not gather firewood from forested areas; use driftwood only.

 

Safety

When traveling along the coast:

• Know the tides.
• Bring a topographic map and a tide chart to plan your route.
• Be prepared to hike over headland trails during high tides. Some headlands cannot be rounded during the lowest of tides.
• When camping on the beach, camp above the high tide water line.