ADDRESS
National Park Visitor Center
3002 Mt Angeles Rd
Port Angeles, WA 98362
HOURS
Open Year Round
Seasonal roads and facilities
CONTACT
(360) 565-3130
Cape Alava
AMENITIES
Trails
Cape Alava is the westernmost point of the continental U.S. Located in Olympic National Park and the Ozette Indian Reservation, the Cape is accessible via a 3.5 mile hike along the Ozette Loop. The spectacular beaches at Cape Alava feature petroglyphs and abundant marine mammals sightings. Gray whales can be seen off the coast in late spring and summer on their migration to summer feeding grounds in the Bering Sea.
WHERE THE WHALES ARE
From the beach at Cape Alava, you might see gray whales during summer and fall, orcas any time of year. Sea otters are commonly seen at Cape Alava, too. Farther offshore, great whales like blues, humpbacks, fin and sperm whales pass through the waters of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. These whales are rarely seen from shore, though – even with great binoculars!
WHICH ANIMALS YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE
CAPE ALAVA LOOP HIKE
“When the doldrums and ho-hums of the winter blues come rolling in, hop back on the trail at a most unexpected place: the coast! While snow may be falling in the high country, the shoreline never sleeps and always abounds with life. On a recent trip, sea lions barked from a rocky sea stack, otters frolicked in ocean waves and eagles sat watching from high perches above. The Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) is two hikes in one: a forest stroll and a walk on the beach. Take the Cape Alava Trail out to the beach and back for a 6.2 mile hike, or continue south along the beach to connect up with the Sand Point Trail for a 9.4 mile loop.” For more information visit: Washington Trails Association.