Cape Flattery - near Olympic National Park

Cape Flattery - near Olympic National Park

Cape Flattery is situated on the far Northwest point of the Continental US near the Olympic National Park, and is amongst the most breathtaking sights in Washington State. The only way to Cape Flattery is along the 61-mile "Strait of Juan de Fuca Highway" (Highway 112), starting at Port Angeles.  It's recommended visitors spend the night in Port Angeles, then venture out to Cape Flattery the following day.

The Cape Flattery Trail (3/4's mile)

The Cape Flattery Trail is an easy  ¾’s of a mile walk along boardwalks and tracks. The First Observation Deck is a 15-minute walk downhill from the parking lot.  The word “wow” is frequently uttered as visitors arrive at the First Observation Deck, in awe of the sheer cliffs and pounding waves below.  Brownish-red kelp floats on the surface of the water, and there are regular sightings of sea lions, sea otters and puffins. 

A short distance down the path, the Second and Third Observation Decks are just as spectacular.  As visitors venture further out along the narrow headland, they eventually reach the Final Observation Deck, perched high above a cliff with views of Tatoosh Island.  The lighthouse on Tatoosh Island was built in 1857 to assist mariners entering the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and is now fully automated and owned by the US Coastguard.

What's the drive like from Port Angeles to Cape Flattery?

Port Angeles is the gateway to the 61-mile “Strait of Juan de Fuca Highway” to Cape Flattery (Highway 112), passing through through the townships of Clallam Bay, Sekiu, and Neah Bay.

After leaving Port Angeles, the highway travels through the adjacent towns of Clallam Bay and Sekiu, with views of Vancouver Island in Canada.  These ramshackle towns are a mixture of old shacks, RV Parks, camping sites and weathered buildings.  The main beach is a popular place for beachcombing and exploring tidepools, and the bay is bookended by two dramatic headlands. The key attraction at Clallam Bay and Sekiu is the world-class fishing, and  people come from all over the world for fishing charters on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  The rich coastal waters are also popular for scuba diving. If visitors want to stay overnight in Clallam Bay, the two best accommodation options are the "Winter Summer Inn" B&B , or the "Chito Beach Resort" offering cozy beachside cabins.

There are spectacular views around every corner of the next stretch of highway from Sekiu to Neah Bay.  The road winds past lush forest, secluded beaches, rocky outcrops and forested headlands, and there are a number of pull-offs to gain access to these beaches.  One of the most dramatic sights is the twin Sail and Seal Rocks, a known feeding ground for whales.  The Strait of Juan de Fuca is home to Gray, Orca and Humpback whales.

Further along Highway 112, visitors enter the Makah Indian Reservation and the small township of Neah Bay.  A $10 fee is required when entering the reservation, and can be paid at many locations including the local mini-mart.  Visitors can spend some time at the Makah Museum to see exhibits from a Makah Village buried 500 years ago by a mudslide at Cape Alva near Ozette Lake.  **It's advisable to fill up on gas at Neah Bay, as there are no gas stations beyond this point**.  Cape Flattery is then the final stop after Neah Bay.