Rialto

At a glance

• Location: Rialto, in the Olympic area of Olympic National Park
• Type: Picnic area
• Setting: A short path reaches a pebble beach with an ocean view.
• Amenities: Information, picnic tables, restrooms, trash receptacles, and potable drinking water
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, with a wheelchair-accessible ramp on the beach path during summer
• Wildlife: Otters, seals, pelicans, bald eagles, and migrating gray whales may be seen.
• Pets: Leashed pets may go from the parking lot to Ellen Creek.
• Hours: Olympic National Park is open 24 hours daily throughout the year.
• Nearest gateway: Forks, Washington, about 12 miles away
• Airport: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Why visit

Rialto provides convenient access to one of Olympic National Park’s most popular and accessible beaches. Visitors can picnic, use the restrooms, and follow a short path to the pebble shore.

The beach offers ocean views and opportunities to watch marine life and birds. Visitors can also hike north along the undeveloped coast toward Hole in the Wall.

Getting there

Rialto is in the Olympic area of Olympic National Park. Forks, Washington, is about 12 miles away in a straight line. Port Angeles, Washington, is about 57 miles away.

The listed main visitor center, Olympic National Park, is about 57 miles away. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the listed airport for the area.

At Rialto, the parking area connects with a short path to the beach. The path provides a direct approach to the pebble shore and ocean viewpoint.

Olympic National Park remains open 24 hours a day throughout the year. However, roads, campgrounds, and other facilities may operate seasonally.

What to see and do

Use the picnic tables, obtain information, and walk the short path to Rialto Beach. Drinking water, trash receptacles, and restrooms are available at the picnic area.

The beach is covered with pebbles and opens onto an ocean view. Rialto is also a wildlife-watching location. Possible sightings include otters, seals, pelicans, and bald eagles.

Gray whales may pass the coast during their summer migration. Wildlife sightings are possible but not guaranteed.

Hikers can travel north along the undeveloped coastline. Hole in the Wall is about 1.5 miles from Rialto Beach. The coastal route continues beyond that formation.

Leashed pets are permitted between the parking lot and Ellen Creek. Ellen Creek is about half a mile north along the beach. Pets are not described as permitted beyond that point.

History and nature

Rialto’s coastal landscape has been the site of shipwrecks, loss, and rescue efforts. Memorials north of the beach honor people killed in wrecks involving Chilean and Norwegian vessels.

The Norwegian vessel wreck occurred in 1903, and the Chilean vessel wreck occurred in 1920. Together, the memorials commemorate 36 people who died.

The natural setting includes a pebble beach, open ocean, and an undeveloped coast extending north. Marine mammals and coastal birds may be visible from the area.

Otters and seals use the coastal environment. Pelicans and bald eagles may also appear. In summer, migrating gray whales can sometimes be seen offshore.

When to go

Summer weather is generally warm and fair. High temperatures typically range from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

The period from July through September usually receives the least precipitation. Wetter conditions are typical during the remainder of the year.

Winter conditions are generally mild at lower elevations. Heavy snow can fall in the park’s mountains. Conditions may differ across Olympic National Park at the same time.

The wheelchair-accessible ramp on the beach path is available during summer. Summer is also the season when migrating gray whales may be visible.

Olympic National Park is open throughout the year and at all hours. Seasonal roads, campgrounds, and facilities may affect a visit.

Accessibility

Rialto is designated wheelchair accessible. The picnic area has accessible amenities, including restrooms, information, picnic tables, trash receptacles, and potable water.

A short path leads from the parking area to the beach and ocean view. During summer, a wheelchair-accessible ramp is installed along this path.

The beach surface consists of pebbles. No additional accessibility details are provided for travel along the shore or the coastal hike.

Fees and rules

Olympic National Park lists these entrance fees:

• Private vehicle: $30
• Motorcycle: $25
• Per person: $15
• Commercial van: $75

Leashed pets may accompany visitors between the Rialto parking lot and Ellen Creek. That permitted section extends about half a mile along the beach.

Follow posted rules, use the provided trash receptacles, and leave no trace. Check the park’s National Park Service website for current alerts, seasonal operations, and facility status.

Nearby trails and places

Rialto Beach restrooms are at the same location as the picnic area. The Rialto Beach (Mora) trailhead is also at Rialto.

From that trailhead, hikers can proceed north along the coast. Hole in the Wall is about 1.5 miles from Rialto Beach, and the route continues beyond it.

Mora Boat Launch is about 0.9 miles away. First Beach–La Push is about 1 mile away.

Forks, Washington, is the closest listed gateway town at about 12 straight-line miles from Rialto. Port Angeles, Washington, is about 57 straight-line miles away.

Before you go

Check current conditions and alerts on Olympic National Park’s National Park Service website. Confirm whether roads and facilities are operating, since some are seasonal.

Prepare for changing weather during every season. Conditions can vary between different parts of the park at the same time.

Carry water even though potable water is listed at Rialto. Pack layers and rain protection, particularly outside the relatively dry period from July through September.

Keep pets leashed within the permitted section between the parking lot and Ellen Creek. Follow all posted rules, dispose of trash properly, and leave no trace.

Questions