Third Beach, La Push - Mora Beach Trails, Olympic National Park, Washington
Third Beach - 2.7 miles
La Push - Mora Beach Trails
| Round-Trip Length: | 2.7 miles |
| Start-End Elevation: | 265' - 0' (277' max elevation) |
| Elevation Change: | -265' net elevation loss (+292' total roundtrip elevation gain) |
| Skill Level: | Easy |
| Dogs Allowed: | No |
| Bikes Allowed: | No |
| Horses Allowed: | No |
| Related Trails: |
Third Beach - 2.7 Miles Round-Trip
Third Beach is located 1.35 miles from La Push Road in Olympic National Park. Third Beach spans a lengthy crescent on Strawberry Bay between Teahwhit Head (north), and Taylor Point (south).
A well-maintained access trail drops 265' in a lush hemlock-Sitka forest to the beach, where you'll cross a surf log barrier to continue on the coast. Dramatic headlands and stacks bookend Third Beach, but you'll have to walk a bit to reach them.
Hike .4 miles south of the entry point to a waterfall with great views of the Taylor Point stacks. The beach tapers quickly and grows rugged here, so be mindful of the tide as you explore. Rounding Taylor Point is not recommended even at low tide - use the overland trail.
The beach is wider, travel is milder, and surf is lighter to the north, where campsites are nestled between driftwood piles and the forest.
There's no overland outlet trail on Teahwhit Head, so it's important to have a very good understanding of the tide - and your abilities - when exploring this area.
Interactive GPS Topo Map
Key GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84
- N47 53.435 W124 35.963 — 0.0 miles : Third Beach Trailhead on La Push Road
- N47 52.953 W124 35.501 — .8 miles : Mild descent in hemlock - sitka forest
- N47 52.711 W124 35.289 — 1.35 miles : Third Beach
- N47 52.482 W124 34.766 — 1.7 miles : Beach tapers on approach to waterfall
Worth Noting
- Third Beach Trail is one of the longer beach access walks in Olympic, and a good place to examine the coastal forest ecosystem. A wide and accessible coastal stream joins the trail as you reach the beach, where you may find deer, coyote, raccoon, fish and eagles.
- Always carry - and know how to use - a tide table, topo map, and watch when hiking the Olympic coast.
- Many points along the coast are only passable at low tide. Passable points on the way out may not be safe on the return, and it's possible to become stranded. Tide tables are available at visitor centers and coastal ranger stations. Red and black symbols mark departure points from the beach on headland - overland trails where it's unsafe to continue on the beach.
Camping and Backpacking Information
- Permits are required for all overnight stays in Olympic National Park. Contact the Wilderness Information Center (360.565.3100) for backcountry camping reservations, permits, and trail conditions. Visit the WIC: 600 East Park Avenue, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
- There's a $5 registration fee per group, plus $2 per person (children under 16 excluded).
- This is a self-registration trailhead, where you will find forms, permits, and pay boxes.
- There are no quotas or required reservations for La Push - Mora area beaches. Campsites are not individually assigned, but are available to permit holders on a first come, first served basis.
- Camp only in established sites, which are generally located on the forest edge, or on the beach behind high tide lines. These sites are often concealed behind surf log piles.
- Food Storage: Hard-sided containers (such as bear canisters) are required all along the Olympic coast.
- Campfires: Fires are permitted. Use driftwood only.
- Water: Water is available from coastal streams. This water is typically stained with tannins leached from decaying matter in the forest. Treat or filter all water thoroughly.
Fishing Information
- A Washington State Fishing License is not required to fish in Olympic National Park except when fishing in the Pacific Ocean from shore. No license is required to harvest surf smelt.
- A Washington State catch record card is required to fish for salmon or steelhead and they must be accounted for as if caught in state waters. Fishing regulations are specific to site, species, and season. Contact the Park before setting out.
- Recreational fishing in freshwater areas of Olympic National Park is restricted to artificial lures with single, barbless hooks (exceptions may apply).
- The use of seines, traps, drugs, explosives, and nets (except to land a legally hooked fish or dip-net smelt) are prohibited.
Rules and Regulations
- There's a $15 fee to enter Olympic National Park ($30 annual pass).
- Pets are not permitted on trails. Pets are permitted in campgrounds and must be leashed at all times.
Directions to Trailhead
Third Beach Trailhead is located on La Push Road, 11.5 miles west of US 101. La Push Road is located 53 miles from Port Angeles, just as you're entering / leaving the north end of Forks.
Contact Information
Olympic National Park
600 East Park Avenue
Port Angeles, WA 98362-6798
Visitor Information: 360.565.3130
Road & Weather Hotline: 360.565.3131
Wilderness Information Center and Backcountry Permit Office (WIC)
360.565.3100
Mora Ranger Station (seasonal)
360.374.5460
Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center
360.374.6925
Forks Information Station
360.374.7566 or 360.374.5877
Quinault Wilderness Information Office
360.288.0232
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