Cape Flattery Discover Explore Experience Enjoy

Introduction.

Cape Flattery is the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States. While it is not part of Olympic National Park, due to the location, this turned out to be an incredible add-on to our visit to the Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park. Cape Flattery is situated in the Makah tribal wilderness, a short distance outside of Neah Bay. This edge of the world location is unmatched in what it offers visitors.

Below are some highlights and tips that made our visit to Cape Flattery worth the effort of reaching this beautiful, remote spot.

General logistics information.

There are a variety of lodging and eating alternatives in close proximity to Cape Flattery, with Neah Bay providing the best options. For visiting Cape Flattery you will need to obtain a parking permit from the Makah Tribe, who manage the wilderness area. Parking permits can be purchased in Neah Bay, and you will be able to get driving directions there, to reach the Cape Flattery parking area. It should be noted there are no services at the Cape Flattery parking area, so you need to make sure you bring what you might need (e.g. beverages, food, etc).

While you may be tempted to visit Cape Flattery for sunset views over the Pacific Ocean, as I was, I would personally warn against this. The hike to and from the parking area goes though beautiful and thick forest. Coming back through this after sunset would be challenging at the very least, and would certainly require you to have head lamps or lighting, to be safe.

Cape Flattery Discover Explore Experience Enjoy.

• We spent an awe inspiring afternoon for our Cape Flattery Discover Explore Experience Enjoy adventure.
• After a drive through coastal forests that give you some great scenery and glimpses of the ocean, you arrive at the parking area.
• The path is well marked and is a winding trail through a forest of red cedars, western hemlocks, and Sitka spruce. The path descends on dirt trails, wooden boardwalks, mud, gravel, and heavily rooted areas, so you must be prepared for this navigation.
• While you will surely enjoy the beauty and scents of the journey through the forest, your goal is the 3 observation decks at the coastline.
• The first observation site provides views to the south, where you will observe sea stacks and sheer cliffs, carved by the never ending crashing waves.

Proceeding further west along the trail is another observation area that is made of two tiers. These spots look to the north, overlooking deep caves and grottoes and a magnificent view of the coastline, with the Canadian shoreline in the distance.