{"ok":true,"data":{"id":3652,"slug":"third-beach-forks","name":"Third Beach","country":"USA","state":"Washington","city":"Forks","coords":{"lat":47.8992,"lng":-124.6378},"beachType":null,"tags":["scenic"],"article":{"hero":"The trailhead sits unmarked except for a small brown sign off La Push Road, and the descent begins immediately—mud-slicked roots and wooden planks guiding you through a rainforest so dense that daylight turns green. Your calves will feel the mile-and-a-half drop, but the sound of breakers grows louder with each switchback, pulling you forward.\n\nWhen the tree line breaks, you step onto coarse sand hemmed by Giants Graveyard sea stack to the north and Teahwhit Head's forested bluff to the south. Driftwood logs bleached silver by storms form natural benches; harbor seals surface beyond the breakers. At low tide, the southern rocks reveal anemones pulsing in shallow basins and purple sea urchins wedged into crevices. The water stays frigid year-round—48 degrees even in August—but the wide tidal zone offers hours of exploration.\n\nCampers pitch tents on the upper beach with permits from the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles, lulled to sleep by wave percussion. Most visitors arrive mid-morning and leave by three, ceding the shore to those who carried enough gear to stay. Fog banks roll in without warning, erasing the horizon and muting every color to grey and brown.","teaser":"You descend through Sitka spruce and western hemlock for 1.4 miles before the Pacific announces itself in salt spray and bird calls. Third Beach hides behind the forest curtain where few daytrippers venture, rewarding your effort with driftwood sculptures the size of shipping containers and tide pools teeming with ochre stars.","uniqueAngle":"One of the only Olympic coastal beaches where you trade elevation for solitude, filtering out crowds through a rainforest gauntlet.","accessType":"Hike-in 1.4 miles","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"hike","title":"Forest Descent","subtitle":"Switchbacks through old-growth canopy"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Sea Stack Frames","subtitle":"Giants Graveyard at golden hour"},{"icon":"hike","title":"Tide Pool Walk","subtitle":"Ochre stars in southern rocks"},{"icon":"kayak","title":"Surf Launch","subtitle":"Experienced paddlers only, heavy swell"}],"audience":{"surfer":"This beach punishes beginners. Winter northwest swells hit the exposed shore with force, creating heavy closeouts and powerful shore-break that snaps boards. Summer offers slightly cleaner conditions, but the water temperature demands a 5/4 wetsuit with boots year-round. Rip currents form near the southern headland during outgoing tides. The hike with a longboard tests your commitment. Locals from Forks surf dawn sessions to avoid the handful of visitors who make the trek.","couples":"Book a cabin at Misty Valley Inn in Forks, then pack a thermos of coffee and Norwegian wool blankets for a late-afternoon hike down. The beach empties by four o'clock, leaving you alone with the sea stacks as fog softens the light. Bring a backpacking stove and boil water for French press on driftwood seats facing Teahwhit Head. Dinner waits back in town at River's Edge Restaurant, where steelhead and locally foraged mushrooms arrive on cast-iron.","backpacker":"Wilderness camping permits cost eight dollars at the Port Angeles visitor center—reserve ahead in summer. Carry all water down; the creek at the beach needs filtration. Forks has a Thriftway for provisions under ten dollars: smoked salmon jerky, bagels, instant ramen. Skip expensive La Push and sleep free at the Mora Campground overflow lot before hiking in. The true budget move: day-hike from Forks, pack sandwiches, skip the permit, leave before dusk.","local":"November through February, you'll have Third Beach to yourself midweek—tourists won't brave the mud. Low tide at sunrise exposes the best agate hunting near the southern rocks, before weekend collectors arrive. Park at the upper lot, not the lower pullout where break-ins happen. After king tides, check the wrack line for Japanese glass floats that drift across the Pacific. Deer emerge from the forest edge at dusk to lick salt from driftwood.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Swimming at Third Beach is generally not recommended due to cold water temperatures year-round (typically 45-55°F), strong currents, and unpredictable waves common along the Olympic Coast. There are no lifeguards on duty. The beach is better suited for wading, tidepooling, and beachcombing. If you do enter the water, stay close to shore and never turn your back on the ocean, as sneaker waves can occur without warning on Pacific Northwest beaches.","q":"Is it safe to swim at Third Beach in Forks, Washington?"},{"a":"Third Beach is accessible year-round, but summer months (July-September) offer the most stable weather with less rain and temperatures in the 60s-70s°F. However, the shoulder seasons of late spring and early fall provide fewer crowds while still offering reasonable conditions. Winter visits can be dramatic with storm watching opportunities, though expect rain, mud on trails, and shorter daylight hours. Low tide periods are ideal for exploring sea stacks and tidepools regardless of season.","q":"When is the best time to visit Third Beach?"},{"a":"Third Beach is accessed via a 1.4-mile forest trail from the Third Beach Trailhead on Oil City Road, about 12 miles west of Forks. From Highway 101, turn onto La Push Road (Highway 110), then turn right onto Oil City Road. A parking area at the trailhead accommodates roughly 15-20 vehicles. The trail descends through old-growth forest before reaching the beach. A National Park Pass or day-use fee is required.","q":"How do you get to Third Beach and where can you park?"},{"a":"Third Beach has no facilities—no restrooms, food, water, or services at the beach or trailhead. Plan accordingly by bringing all supplies. The nearest town is Forks (about 12 miles east), which offers restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, and lodging ranging from motels to vacation rentals. La Push, a small community about 5 miles north, has limited lodging and a small store. Pack out all trash as this is a wilderness beach within Olympic National Park.","q":"Are there food, restrooms, or lodging options near Third Beach?"},{"a":"Yes, Third Beach has a designated wilderness camping area popular with backpackers, located in the forest just behind the beach. Camping requires a wilderness permit from Olympic National Park, available online or at the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles. Sites are first-come, first-served and fill quickly in summer. Food must be stored in bear canisters or hung properly. Campfires are allowed only on the beach below the high-tide line using driftwood.","q":"Can you camp on Third Beach?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Third Beach: Forks, Washington's Hidden Coastal Wilderness","description":"Hike through mossy rainforest to reach Third Beach's driftwood-strewn shore, sea stacks rising from mist-wrapped waves. A secluded Olympic Peninsula gem worth the trek.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8044/28691608865_577d3e371b_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"545442","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52399440549_913f27e0ca_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52399440549_913f27e0ca.jpg","alt":"Old camera colours"},{"id":"545443","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52120961038_c2db74d315_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52120961038_c2db74d315.jpg","alt":"San Simeon Bay - from Peninsula to Pier -- & beyond!"}]}}