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Experience the Best of Forks & the Coastal Beaches
These days, Forks might be best known as the setting for the Twilight series, but there’s much more to this small Olympic Peninsula town than its literary fame. Originally a logging community, Forks still carries that rugged, no-frills charm, offering a glimpse into the rich history and breathtaking, untamed beauty of the Olympic Peninsula. There’s a vast array of things to do in Forks, particularly as the town serves as the gateway to the untamed beauty along the Pacific coastal beaches.
Though visiting the beaches is one of the top draws out to the west end of the Olympic Peninsula, we recommend you take the time to explore the region’s deep connection to the timber industry and the people who built their lives around it. The town itself is lined with quirky shops, local diners, and a few fun nods to its pop culture status, making it an enjoyable stop whether you’re a Twilight fan or just looking for a quiet, welcoming place to explore.
Beyond its historic and pop-culture appeal, Forks is the perfect launching point for some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in the Pacific Northwest. Just a short drive away, Rialto Beach delivers dramatic sea stacks, crashing waves, and weathered driftwood that tell the story of time and tide. At low tide, visitors can explore the iconic Hole-in-the-Wall rock formation, a natural arch carved by the elements.
Nearby, First, Second, and Third Beaches in La Push provide stunning, windswept shorelines with tide pools, towering cliffs, and the ever-present calls of seabirds overhead. These beaches feel like the edge of the world, where nature reigns supreme, and every visit offers a different experience depending on the tides, weather, and season. Not too far away, you can wander through the moss-draped Hoh Rainforest for an experience that feels out of this world.
Spending time in Forks and its surrounding landscapes is essential to any Olympic Peninsula adventure. It’s the place to experience both the quiet simplicity of a small town and the raw, untamed beauty of the Pacific Coast. It’s the perfect counterpoint to the towering evergreens and the rugged mountain peaks found elsewhere in Olympic National Park, making it a must-visit for those wanting to see the full range of what this incredible region offers.
These areas are wild and remote, but Forks and the coastal beaches are an easy day trip from our Sequim and Port Angeles vacation rentals. We offer a range of accommodations for couple’s getaways, family vacations, and adventures with friends. Whatever you need, our Olympic Peninsula vacation rentals will be your perfect home base as you explore the vast wilderness this coastal area is known for!
Hoh Rainforest
The Hoh Rainforest, just outside Forks, is one of the most magical places in the Pacific Northwest. As one of the few temperate rainforests in the world, you’ll find yourself walking beneath ancient trees dripping with moss and a forest floor carpeted with ferns stretching as far as the eye can see. Mist lingers in the air, giving everything a dreamlike quality, and the quiet is almost otherworldly, interrupted only by the distant call of birds or the gentle rush of the Hoh River.
Hike along the Hall of Mosses or the Spruce Nature Trail, both of which showcase the towering Sitka spruce and bigleaf maple trees draped in thick green canopies. Wildlife is abundant here, too—keep an eye out for Roosevelt elk moving through the undergrowth. The mix of lush vegetation, constant moisture, and rich biodiversity makes the Hoh Rainforest feel like a prehistoric landscape, untouched by time.
Rialto Beach
One of the best things to do in Forks and the surrounding area is head to Rialto Beach. Unlike some coastal destinations, Rialto Beach is relatively accessible, requiring a short walk to a beach that feels wild and untamed in the best way possible. With its dramatic sea stacks rising from the Pacific, massive driftwood logs scattered along the shore, and waves that crash with an unrelenting rhythm, it’s a perfect spot for anyone who loves the raw beauty of the Washington coast.
One of the highlights at Rialto Beach is the famous Hole-in-the-Wall, a rock formation carved by the relentless power of the ocean. A two-mile hike along the beach at low tide will take you there, revealing tide pools teeming with colorful sea stars, anemones, and tiny crabs. The journey is just as rewarding as the destination, with bald eagles soaring overhead and the occasional glimpse of seals, sea lions, or whales frolicking in the waves.
La Push
Just outside Forks, La Push is home to the stunning First, Second, and Third Beaches. First Beach is the easiest to access, with its expansive shoreline and dramatic sea stacks rising from the waves—perfect for a long walk or simply watching the power of the ocean.
Second Beach, reached by a short but rewarding hike through a moss-draped forest, is a favorite for those who love tide pools, natural arches, and the chance to spot bald eagles soaring overhead. For the more adventurous, Third Beach requires a bit more effort to reach but rewards visitors with a quiet, dramatic landscape where the waves meet towering cliffs and driftwood-strewn shores.
Beyond the beaches, La Push offers a glimpse into the culture and history of the Quileute Tribe, whose connection to the land and sea has shaped this area for centuries. Visitors can learn more about their traditions, explore the marina where fishing boats come and go, or even plan a trip during the annual Quileute Days celebration, which features traditional drumming, dancing, and storytelling.
Forks Timber Museum
One of the most popular things to do in Forks is to visit the charming Forks Timber Museum. It’s the perfect place to learn more about this area’s unique history and the culture that shaped this rugged part of Washington. Logging has been at the heart of Forks for more than a century, and this museum brings that story to life with fascinating exhibits, vintage tools, and detailed displays about the people who worked in the industry.
Housed in a log cabin built by local high school students, the museum has an authentic charm that makes you feel like you’re stepping back in time. Whether you’re interested in old-growth forests, the evolution of logging techniques, or the industry’s role in shaping the Pacific Northwest, there’s plenty to take in.
Beyond the exhibits, the Forks Timber Museum makes it easy to appreciate how much grit and determination went into building the town that so many visitors now pass through on their way to the Olympic Peninsula’s outdoor wonders.
Cape Flattery
If you want to feel like you’re standing at the edge of the world, then one of the most popular things to do near Forks and the western edge of the Olympic Peninsula is to visit Cape Flattery. Cape Flattery is the northwesternmost point in the continental United States. It’s reached by a short but scenic hike through a mossy, old-growth forest before it opens up to dramatic cliffs where the Pacific Ocean crashes against sea stacks and hidden sea caves.
The swirling blue-green water, often dotted with seabirds and the occasional puffin gives the whole scene an almost cinematic quality. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Vancouver Island, while stormier weather adds an extra layer of excitement to the already breathtaking views.
This part of the Olympic Peninsula is also rich in history and culture, as it lies within the Makah Reservation. A visit to Cape Flattery pairs perfectly with a stop at the Makah Museum in Neah Bay, where you can learn about the deep connection the Makah people have to the land and sea.
Kalaloch Beach & The Tree of Life
There’s no shortage of Instagram-worthy spots along the Pacific Coastline of Washington, but perhaps no views are more interesting or inspiring than the Tree of Life at Kalaloch Beach. The beach itself is beautiful and is one of those rare places where the rugged beauty of the Washington coast meets an almost endless stretch of sandy shoreline. It’s a prime spot for spotting bald eagles, seals, and even the occasional gray whale migrating along the coast.
Just north of the main beach, you’ll find one of the area’s most famous landmarks—the Tree of Life. Suspended between two eroding cliffs, its massive roots stretch out in all directions, defying gravity in a way that seems almost impossible. Despite years of storms and shifting land beneath it, the tree continues to thrive, making it a striking symbol of resilience. It’s a favorite stop for photographers, but even if you’re passing through, it’s worth taking a moment to stand beneath its tangled roots and marvel at how nature finds a way to endure.
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