The view from one of the campground paths near the cabin
We stayed at an Airbnb cabin that was located within a campground. The cabin was nice, but the lounge area was in the loft, accessible only by a set of very steep, slippery stairs, which our dogs couldn’t have safely navigated even in their younger years. This meant that all of our relaxing time was spent in the small dining room, which was less than ideal, but we made it work.
A massive pile of driftwood blocked the beach, but we still enjoyed the walk from the campground as far as we could go
The campground had a lot of beautiful flat paths to walk amidst tall trees with massive burls. And there is a trail with access to the beach below, but unfortunately our dogs couldn’t cross the massive pile of driftwood blocking the path to the beach. If you’re able to pick up your dog and safely walk across uneven, unstable logs with gaps in between, you’ll find that the beach is a lovely walk. Unfortunately many dogs, not just seniors, would have trouble crossing over all the logs. Given the limited amount of lodging options in the area that accommodate pets, I would consider staying here again, as it’s a lovely, quaint cabin, but I’d suggest looking for alternate options in case something better has become available. There are limited dining options in the area. We cooked most of our food but got a few meals at the Kalaloch Lodge restaurant (to-go) and thought it was pretty tasty.
The paths within the campground were lined with lots of native plants
Be sure to check the tide chart before starting your adventure each day. Many of the area beaches are not accessible or safe during high tide.
There are several beaches and wooded trails in the area, though some of the beach access points have stairs to climb, logs to cross or steep paths to traverse. This is my best recollection of access for each location. I found the Disabled Hikers site helpful when planning our trip. Keep in mind that beach access changes over time because of winter storms, construction and other factors. Be prepared to adjust your plans as needed. You can always speak with National Park Service rangers (the Kalaloch Ranger Station is open only during summer) or the staff at the Kalaloch Lodge regarding any access questions you have.
When doing your research, please note that Kalaloch Beaches 1-4 (which is the area covered in this blog post) should not be confused with La Push-area First Beach, Second Beach and Third Beach located farther north.
Tidepools
Sadly the tides weren’t in our favor and we didn’t get to see the tidepools during our visit. We have been able to explore tidepools elsewhere before (see photo above from Shi Shi Beach north of here) and highly recommend visiting at low tide if you can work it into your schedule and your pup is up for the adventure. Seeing the colorful sea stars, sea urchins and anemones is a real treat!
The NPS says that while Beach 4 is the most popular beach for viewing tide pools, the pools can also be found at Beach 3 and Ruby Beach. While you can see the pools when the tide is 1.5 feet or less, you’ll have a better viewing experience if you go when the tides are below 0. I believe the summer months are best for these super low tides. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before low tide so you have time to walk to your destination and look around before the tides come back in. Be wary of sharp rocks, as they could easily cut your pups paws! And remember that barnacles are alive, so be careful not to step on them.
NPS: Tidepool Activities on the Coast of Olympic National Park
NPS: Life in Olympic’s tidepools
Read about other hikes for senior dogs in Western Washington!
Hiking with Senior Dogs in Western Washington
