Ruby Beach, pebble shore with white foamy waves lapping the shore and light blue sky at dusk
Washington State’s Secret, Secluded and Scenic Beaches

Although you might think you know every beach in Washington, there are plenty of hidden gems to be discovered along the state’s 3,026 miles of coastline. Many of the state’s most beautiful beaches don’t get many visitors, because they are difficult to access. In fact, a handful of the beaches on this list require at least a few miles of hiking. Some even require some scrambling down cliffs and rocks! Once you reach the striking shoreline, you will quickly forget any struggles on the trail along the way. Now that you’re mentally prepared for the journey ahead, let’s dive into Washington’s most remote, hidden shores.

Meadowdale Beach Park

Meadowdale Beach Park is a beautiful sandy beach in Edmonds, flanked by lush, green forest. To access the beach, take the wider trail from the trailhead at the parking lot. The trail quickly descends, and you will climb down a staircase built into the hillside. One mile in, take the left fork of the trail, cross the bridge, and go through the tunnel under the train tracks to reach the beach. From the sandy shores of Puget Sound, you’ll enjoy views of Whidbey Island, Kitsap Peninsula, and the Olympic Mountains. When you’re done at the beach, head back through the tunnel and turn left to loop back to the trailhead to finish out your 2.5-mile round-trip hike.

After a day at the beach, return to your comfortable room at Greenlake Guest House in North Seattle. Nosh on your complimentary fresh-baked cookies as you enjoy the stunning views of Green Lake.

Foggy skies in forest overlooking winding river

Old Pipeline Bed Trail

This 2.4-mile out-and-back trail in Leavenworth navigates the path of an old pipeline from the early 1900s. Notably, the electricity generated by the pipeline was used instead of coal to power a Great Northern Railway train through a tunnel in the Cascade Mountains. Now, the scenic, wooded trail follows along the Wenatchee River, which eventually empties into the Columbia River. The thrills start early in the hike as you cross the old steel pipeline bridge over the river. After ¾ miles of fairly flat trails, you will reach an idyllic sandy beach. The trail gets a little busy in the summer, so plan to head out early to beat the crowds.

After a day spent in the Wenatchee River, treat yourself to some R&R at Abendblume, a gorgeous B&B in Leavenworth, WA. The inn itself is packed with Old-World charm, and their themed rooms are intricately decorated with gorgeous vintage-inspired furniture.

Port Williams Beach

While it isn’t technically a secret, you will often find only a handful of people at Port Williams Beach at any given time. No hikes required here, as this quiet beach in Sequim is located right at the end of Port Williams Road. The beach exists within the 1-acre Marlyn Nelson County Park. Bring a kayak or perhaps sit on a piece of driftwood and watch the waves of Sequim Bay lap the shores. Because the beach is on the smaller side, we recommend checking out the tide tables when planning your visit.

Stay awhile in beautiful Sequim, WA by booking a room at GreenHouse Inn by the Bay. All of their exquisite rooms have a stunning view of the water, the mountains, or both!

Glass Beach at McCurdy Point

Before you think, “Secluded sea glass beaches don’t exist...” let us explain. The beach at McCurdy Point In Port Townsend is teeming with sea glass, agate, and sometimes even fossils. To access the sea glass, however, you must hike 3 miles from North Beach Park across rocky terrain. The key to a serene visit to the park is twofold. First, you have to look at the tide tables. If the tide comes in while you are hiking, you won’t get very far. Second, get there early to snag a spot in the parking lot. Glass Beach typically doesn’t get too crowded, but the trailhead parking lot usually does. With these tips, you’re sure to find lots of beautiful sea glass on a calm, tranquil shore.

Camano Island State Park

While Camano Island visitors typically head to Cama Beach, you know better. Camano Island State Park is actually the best place to go for a serene shore experience. The park features 6,700 feet of rugged shoreline and beaches. Enjoy walking along the rocky shores or hike the 3.1-mile Camano Island State Park Trail for incredible views of local wildlife and the water.

If you’re loving the secluded beach at Camano Island State Park, you’ll love staying at Camano Island Inn. In addition to access to their private beach, you will also enjoy your private deck with views of the waterfront, Saratoga Passage, and the Olympic Mountains.

Normandy Beach Trail

One of the best kept secrets in the area is the beach at Marine View Park, located about 15 miles south of Seattle. The upper part of the park is a typical wooded recreational area with trails and views of the sea. However, if you head to the edge of the park, you will find two sets of steep wooden stairs that lead you to a quiet, secluded beach. Don’t be afraid to stray from the stairs either. The farther away you go, the more you’ll feel like you’re on your own private beach.

La Push Third Beach

As you might have gathered from the name, there are three beaches in La Push. First and Second Beach both get many visitors, because they are fairly accessible. Third Beach, however, stays fairly secluded because of its difficult trek. To access the beach, start at the Third Beach Trailhead, walk along the coastal forest trail, and, finally, traverse the 200-foot descent down to the sand. One of the most unique and rewarding views from Third Beach is of Strawberry Bay Falls, a 100-foot waterfall that flows into the ocean. The falls are typically strongest from November to May, but the beach remains a beautiful destination all year long.

Moran Beach

Moran Beach is a scenic, hidden sandy area of shoreline in Oak Harbor. From this secluded beach, you can see impressive views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Olympic Mountains, and San Juan Islands. This beach is close to the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and kids love to sit and watch jets fly nearby. In addition, Moran Beach is the perfect spot to watch the sunset at the end of a long day.

Just 11 miles away from Moran Beach, Wildwood Farm B&B is ready to welcome you home after a tiring beach day. Interestingly, this B&B is located within a working equestrian facility. You will love walking around the tranquil 80-acre estate or gazing at deer by the pond.

Shoreline Street Ends

Perhaps the most secret beaches of all exist smack dab in the middle of Seattle. When a public street ends at a waterfront, the space between the street and the water is considered public property, thanks to the Seattle City Council. Some of these secret beaches live in the neighborhoods of multimillionaires, while others exist at the end of dirt roads. Fortunately, the Shoreline Street Ends program works to improve those spaces to make them beautiful, functional community assets. Scan this map before you head out on your quest to determine which shores are right for you. The map details shore material, public access uses, and current status.

Use The Guest House Bed & Breakfast as your Seattle homebase during your secret city beach adventure. Conveniently located near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, this charming B&B hosts only one set of guests at a time. You will leave feeling refreshed, pampered and rejuvenated.

 

Tag us at @wainnsiders on Instagram! Let Washington INNSiders guide you to the perfect retreat. While we have highlighted a few great inns close to beautiful destinations, the Washington INNSiders boasts an exhaustive list of independent inns all over the state. Filter by desired characteristics to select the ideal B&B, inn, or hotel for your dream outdoor getaway. The experts behind Washington INNSiders inspect and approve all member properties, so you can confidently plan the perfect escape today.

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