Cape Flattery Trail

Known for its sunsets, Cape Flattery is a nature sanctuary on the northwestern-most point in the continental United States where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the Pacific where sea meets dramatic headlands, sea stacks, and deep narrow coves. View seabirds, whales and sea lions too. Preserved by the Makah Indian Nation, the well-maintained trail leads through wet areas, along coastal cliffs and across boardwalks. Start through a mist-drenched forest of Sitka spruce. Utilizing boardwalks and steps, drop to a series of promontories that provide great vistas of rugged Cape Flattery. At 0.75 mile is the viewing platform where you can see the Cape Flattery lighthouse on Tatoosh Island. Birds include Puffins and guillemots. Murres nest in the fortress-like cliffs. Oyster-catchers search tidal pools. Sea otters can be seen in the protected coves. Whales can often be spotted farther out. The area is often draped in fog and receives over 100 inches of annual rainfall. Directly offshore, Tatoosh Island was named for a Makah chief, once serving as a summer fishing camp for the Makahs. The U.S. Coast Guard first constructed a lighthouse on the island in 1857, and the current structure is automated. Now only sea lions, seals, and seabirds live on Tatoosh.