How do I get to Ruby Beach and is there parking?

Ruby Beach is located along Highway 101, approximately 27 miles south of Forks, Washington. The well-marked turnoff leads to a paved parking lot with space for about 30-40 vehicles. Parking is free, but the lot fills quickly during summer and weekends. There are vault toilets in the parking area. From the lot, a short 0.2-mile trail descends through coastal forest to the beach. The trail includes stairs and can be slippery when wet. No reservations are needed.

Are there food options or lodging near Ruby Beach?

Ruby Beach has no food services or amenities beyond vault toilets. The nearest town is Forks (27 miles north), which offers restaurants, grocery stores, and various lodging options including hotels and motels. Kalaloch Lodge, about 6 miles south, provides accommodations, a restaurant, and a camp store. Several campgrounds operate nearby, including Kalaloch Campground. Plan to bring your own food and water when visiting Ruby Beach, as services are limited along this remote stretch of Olympic National Park's coastline.

What are the sea stacks at Ruby Beach and can I explore them?

Ruby Beach is famous for its dramatic sea stacks—offshore rock formations carved by ocean erosion over thousands of years. Abbey Island is the largest and most prominent. During low tide, you can walk around the base of some sea stacks and explore tide pools teeming with starfish, anemones, and other marine life. Always check tide schedules before exploring, as incoming tides can trap you. The distinctive driftwood scattered across the beach adds to the scenic beauty that makes Ruby Beach one of Washington's most photographed locations.

Forks · Washington · USA

Ruby Beach

You'll descend a short wooden staircase to find a beach where rust-colored pebbles crunch underfoot and fog threads between monolithic rock formations. The air tastes of brine and fir resin, and tidepools brim with anemones the color of moss and wine.

1 / 8

Conditions right now

Reading live conditions…

Live from Open-Meteo · sea surface temperature and wave data modelled at 1-km grid resolution for Ruby Beach. Numbers refresh at the hourly tick.

Waves

—

01m2m3m+

Wind

—

kmh

Water

—

Air

—

OnlyBeaches IndexUpdated just now

OBI

—

Live-scored for Ruby Beach

Tuned for

Purity: 0%
Conditions: 0%
Crowd: 0%
Vibe: 0%

The OnlyBeaches Index weighs four pillars against your chosen persona. Purity comes from water clarity and air-quality heuristics; Conditions from Open-Meteo waves, wind and temperatures; Crowd from historical patterns; Vibe from nearby events within 50 km. The score rebalances throughout the day.

Forks·Washington·USA

No reviews yet

famous

Trending This Week

Photos

8 captures from Ruby Beach

About this beach

The beach earns its name not from gemstones but from garnet-flecked sand that glints burgundy when wet, a consequence of the Olympic Mountains' metamorphic bedrock grinding into the sea. You navigate a maze of driftwood logs—some as thick as your torso, stripped gray by relentless surf—while Harbor seals surface beyond the kelp line, their whiskers twitching…

Where it is

Ruby Beach

Forks, Washington, USA

47.7113°, -124.4160°

Open in Google Maps

Top things to do

At Ruby Beach

Sea Stack Silhouettes

Shoot Abbey Island at dusk

Tidepool Labyrinth

Explore channels at minus tide

Driftwood Fortresses

Climb bleached log sculptures

Storm Watching

Winter waves reach forty feet

Near this beach

Places, rentals, tours and events within walking and driving distance of Ruby Beach.

Loading nearby eat & drink…

Loading nightlife…

Good to know

Questions people actually ask about Ruby Beach.

Is it safe to swim at Ruby Beach?

Swimming at Ruby Beach is generally not recommended due to dangerous conditions. The Pacific Ocean here has strong currents, unpredictable waves, and extremely cold water year-round (typically 45-55°F). Sneaker waves can appear without warning and pull people into the water. There are no lifeguards on duty. The beach is better suited for tidepooling, photography, and beach walking. If you visit the shoreline, never turn your back to the ocean and stay well above the high tide line.

What is the best time to visit Ruby Beach?

Ruby Beach is accessible year-round, but summer (June-September) offers the most reliable weather with less rain and temperatures in the 60s°F. However, winter and spring provide dramatic storm-watching opportunities and fewer crowds. Low tide is ideal for exploring tide pools and sea stacks. Sunset visits are particularly spectacular. Morning often brings fog, creating mystical landscapes perfect for photography. Expect rain any time of year, as this area receives over 100 inches annually. Check tide tables before visiting for the best experience.