Clallam County: Coasts, Rainforests, and Special Trails
Accommodation in Clallam County
Clallam County connects the coasts of the Pacific Ocean and the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the forests, mountains, and trails of the Olympic Peninsula. The southern boundary runs through Olympic National Park. This makes the county particularly versatile for planning a trip around different interests: you can combine coastal landscapes, wildlife watching, hikes, bike rides, and Indigenous history.
Between the Pacific Coast, Rainforest, and Wildlife Watching
Clallam County’s park system comprises 19 day-use parks spread throughout the county. Glaciated mountains, old-growth temperate rainforests, and more than 70 miles of untouched coastline convey an impression of the landscape of Olympic National Park. The park is partly located in Clallam County and covers approximately 922,650 acres.
In the Hoh Rain Forest, the 0.8-mile Hall of Mosses Trail and the 1.2-mile Spruce Nature Trail lead through old-growth forest and along Taft Creek and the Hoh River, respectively. Those who prefer to combine the coast and wildlife can find bald eagles, brant geese, rough-skinned newts, harbor seals, and black oystercatchers at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. An easy, half-mile path leads to a viewpoint there; it then continues as a five-mile trail along the Dungeness Spit to the lighthouse.
Hiking Trails and Tours for Different Day Plans
Dungeness Trails County Park covers 395.5 acres and has a 10- to 15-mile, non-motorized trail network for multiple uses. Parts of the park are accessible to mountain bikers, walkers, runners, hikers, and horseback riders. The Olympic Adventure Trail is a 21-mile natural-surface trail for cycling and hiking. The Olympic Discovery Trail also runs through Sequim, Port Angeles, and Forks.
For a shorter loop hike, the five-mile Striped Peak Trail, with 850 feet of elevation gain, is a good option. At Railroad Bridge Park, the Olympic Discovery Trail crosses the Dungeness River on a historic railway trestle with a smooth surface and safety railings. The park covers 75 wooded acres and provides access to the bank of an undeveloped section of the Dungeness River. It is designated an Important Bird Area and is regularly visited by eagles, hawks, songbirds, Canada geese, snow geese, and trumpeter swans.
Cape Flattery and Makah Culture
The Cape Flattery Trail runs three-quarters of a mile each way through the forest to a viewpoint on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Four viewing platforms offer views of Tatoosh Island, rugged rocks, and birds. The trail is open daily year-round from sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. A permit from the Makah Tribe is required for parking at the trailhead. A Makah Recreation Permit is required for recreational activities such as sightseeing, hiking, beach walks, kayaking, diving, and birdwatching.
Hobuck Beach lies on the Pacific Ocean on the western side of the Makah Reservation and offers opportunities for walking, birdwatching, surfing, camping, and swimming. The Cape Flattery Scenic Byway runs from the eastern boundary of the Makah Indian Reservation to Cape Flattery. The Cape Flattery Tribal Scenic Byway was the first tribal road to be granted scenic byway status by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Makah Museum displays artifacts dating back 300 to 500 years from the Ozette archaeological site. At the annual Makah Days, traditional dances, canoe races, a salmon feast, Native American arts and crafts, a parade, and fireworks are part of the festival program.
Museums and Further Discoveries
The Carnegie Museum displays cultural and historical artifacts relating to the history of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and other tribes on the Olympic Peninsula. A family-friendly exhibit also addresses the necessary measures and steps 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; exhibitions and displays explore the history of Sequim and Dungeness. At the Dungeness River Nature Center, exhibits explain the diversity of the Dungeness Watershed and the thousands of years that people have used this landscape. The Feiro Marine Life Center offers an up-close experience of local marine life.
When searching for a vacation rental in Clallam County, you can therefore first determine the focus of your trip: extensive nature experiences, days of cycling and hiking, coastal observation, or culture. For further orientation by location, you can also find the pages for Forks, Port Angeles, Sequim, and Carlsborg. This allows you to tailor your accommodation search to the type of vacation you would like to spend in this varied landscape.
For the higher-level travel overview: Washington.
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