Second Beach
La Push, WA
A short forest trail drops you onto sand framed by towering sea stacks just offshore, with tide pools worth exploring at low water. Local surfers paddle out here in full wetsuits year round, since the water off the Olympic Peninsula never really warms up.
A short trail to sea stacks and tide pools that local surfers paddle out to year round in full wetsuits, the trail itself can get muddy regardless of season.
How we score beachesThe trail can be muddy year round, and boots hold up better than sandals on this one.
Dogs are not allowed on Second Beach or the trail leading to it, as it lies within Olympic National Park, where pets are prohibited on backcountry trails and beaches.
Local surfers paddle out here in full wetsuits regardless of season, since the water off the Olympic Peninsula rarely leaves the 50s. Summer, June through September, is the drier, more forgiving window for the trail in and the beach itself.
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