Rialto Beach, WA: Dog-Friendly Guide, Tips & What to Expect

When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. See our Affiliate Policy. Our plan for our last full day along Olympic’s western coast was to hike the Hall of Mosses in the Hoh Rain Forest. That is, until we saw that the entrance line was over two hours long. Since we figured we could come back the next morning before leaving Forks for Sekiu, we turned around and headed back to Rialto Beach instead. What we found there wasn’t sunshine or tidepools, but a foggy, rugged coastline that felt more untouched than the other beaches we’d seen on our trip last year. By this point, we’d gotten used to the overcast, drizzling, moody weather, and Rialto was no exception. We pulled into the parking lot a little after 7pm, broke out our plastic ponchos, my wife, Minerva, threw on her Crocs, and we wandered out across a blanket of smooth stones that covered the beach. Getting to Rialto Beach from Forks Getting to Rialto Beach is simple and scenic. From Forks, we took US-101 west until we hit WA-110 / La Push Road, then turned right onto Mora Road. About 14 miles and 22 minutes later, we reached the parking lot. There are public restrooms, and the beach is just a short walk from there. First Impressions: Fog, Sea Stacks & Wildlife If you’ve been to Ruby Beach or First Beach, Rialto feels like their rougher cousin. It’s not as picture-perfect, but it feels raw and wild. Fog rolled in and out over the sea stacks, James Island and Little James Island, the same islands we’d seen from First Beach, now just from the north. The smooth stones invited me to try to skip a few into the ocean, but the Pacific waves swallowed them before they got anywhere. And as we wandered along the coast, we spotted a seal popping its head in and out of the waves. These look like awesome skipping rocks This seal kept popping its little head up! Exploring Rialto Beach with Dogs Rialto is one of Olympic’s dog-friendly beaches (leashes required here), so Toby and Lily came along for another beach adventure. By this point, both pups were over the constant drizzle, but they still sniffed around the driftwood, sand, and stones. We didn’t hike north to Hole-in-the-Wall (the 3.3-mile round trip along the beach to an arch carved by the ocean) as it felt like a little much for two soggy dogs on our last full day on the coast. Instead, we wandered a little way from the parking lot, sat on some of the driftwood and enjoyed the foggy coastline. Two soggy pups on a soggy beach The moment when Minerva spots the seal! Things to Know Before Visiting Rialto Beach Rialto is about a 20-minute drive from Forks with easy parking, bathrooms, and direct access to the beach. Bring ponchos if it looks like rain (which is often) and binoculars to spot wildlife. If you want to see Hole-in-the-Wall, check the Rialto Beach tide chart first. You can check Rialto Beach weather below: Rialto Beach Weather Where to Stay Near Rialto Beach We stayed at Mossquatch Resort and the sauna there was perfect after a camp coastal walk. Forks has plenty of hotels and the Mora Campground is just a couple miles from the beach. Other Things to Do Near Rialto Beach If you’re in the area and have a little extra time, there’s plenty more to explore along the Olympic coast: First Beach / La Push – Just a short drive south, this beach is another dog-friendly stop and has softer sand and dramatic driftwood for photos. Read our guide to First Beach for more tips. Ruby Beach – A classic for sea stacks and sunset photos. It’s a bit more polished than Rialto, but the views are incredible. Check out our Ruby Beach article to see why we loved it. Hoh Rain Forest / Hall of Mosses – If you plan ahead, it’s worth visiting for its moss-draped trails and enchanting rainforest vibes. See our Hall of Mosses guide to plan your visit. Even if you’re just stopping at Rialto for a quick walk, these nearby spots make it easy to spend a full day (or more) exploring Olympic National Park‘s dramatic west coast. Is Rialto Beach Worth Visiting? Rialto didn’t blow me away quite the same way Ruby or First Beach did, but it has its own personality. The fog, the stones, and that seal sighting made the stop worth it, even if it was just for an hour with two tired pups. If it had been our first Olympic coast beach, I think it would’ve felt even more dramatic. Either way, we were glad we fit it in before heading north to Neah Bay and Sekiu.