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Cape Flattery Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 4.8 (19)
  1. Areas
  2. WA
  3. …Olympic Peninsula
  4. Neah Bay
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“The northwesternmost corner in the lower 48 United States. ”

Donovan Fitzgerald
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Map Key

1.2

Miles

2.0

KM

Out and Back

357' 109 m

High

79' 24 m

Low

283' 86 m

Up

283' 86 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

23%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly This will be a very memorable hike for your children.

Overview

If you're looking for a remote and beautiful destination that allows you to get away from the crowds, here is a great option. Cape Flattery is located on the Olympic Peninsula at the furthest northwestern point of the contiguous United States, where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the Pacific Ocean. - Overview by Shane Kucera, Outdoor Project

Need to Know

This trail is on the Makah Reservation, and any activities here require a Makah Recreation Permit. These can be purchased at several stores and tourism locations in the area, or online at the Makah Tribe recreation website.

Description

This 0.7-mile trail leads you down to the northwesternmost corner of the lower 48 United States. It starts out as a wide dirt trail and then incorporates hewn logs, wooden bridges, and boardwalks to get you to the ocean. The hike through the trees will remind you of a rainforest, and the coastline is rough and beautiful. Be sure to investigate the side trails to additional lookout points along the way.

At the end of the trail you'll find four observation decks providing spectacular views of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, including Tatoosh Island with the Cape Flattery Lighthouse. Picnic tables are provided near the observation decks, but the area is minimally maintained, so you are required to pack-in and pack-out anything you bring with you.

History & Background

The location is within the Makah Reservation, and it is the northern boundary of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.

Contacts

Land Manager: Makah Tribe

Shared By:

Donovan Fitzgerald
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 19 votes

#1

in Neah Bay

#543

Overall
  4.8 from 19 votes
5 Star
84%
4 Star
11%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Neah Bay

#47

in Washington

#543

Overall
5 Views Last Month
2,260 Since Sep 11, 2017
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
35%
6%
47%
12%
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Photos

View from the trail.
Jun 10, 2023 near Forks, WA
View from the trail area.
Jun 10, 2023 near Forks, WA
View from the trail area.
Jun 10, 2023 near Forks, WA
Rock Spires off Cape Flattery
Jun 25, 2018 near Forks, WA
Cape Flattery views
Sep 11, 2017 near Forks, WA
Cape Flattery views
Sep 11, 2017 near Forks, WA

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Aug 30, 2024
Dianne Dacumos
Jun 20, 2023
Jared Stewart
Easy path to a scenic view and is also the Northwestern most point of the lower 48. 1.5mi — 1h 00m
Jun 10, 2023
Stewart Carnes
May 28, 2023
Ken Niebauer
0.6mi
Jan 1, 2023
Alex Moldovan
Sep 30, 2022
Travis Allen
Fog cleared after we arrived
Jun 20, 2022
Venkatesan Sumanth George
Apr 15, 2022
Elias Mueggler

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