It is not very often that a location checks off everything on my list of desires for an adventure, but the Quileute Oceanside Resort did just that! Anxious to spend some time on the Pacific Ocean, my list included being on the beach, camping, low light pollution for stargazing, great amenities, and a fabulous base camp location for hiking and exploring the Olympic Peninsula.
This well-maintained property is located in La Push, about 20 minutes from Forks and US-101. On the Quileute Nation’s land, the tribe has called this land home since time immemorial and is rich in history and tradition. The tribe chose to open the resort on the mile long First Beach to invite others to visit and be able to experience their amazing land. It is an absolute honor to be welcomed to stay here. The ever-picturesque James Island, or A-Ka-Lat, is of great importance to the tribe, and it makes an amazing addition to the sunsets, though please remember no one is allowed on the islands as they are sacred. Check out https://quileutenation.org/history/ to learn more about these amazing people, their stories and traditions.
Resort Amenities
The resort offers every comfort level including deluxe and standard oceanfront cabins, two oceanfront motel units, camper cabins and now, two full-service RV parks, and for those roughing it, tenting is also available! All the rental units have a fully stocked kitchen, beautiful Native American décor and historic photos of the location. Many units have ocean views, but all are just a few steps to the beach. Two things that are wonderfully missing from the resort are Wi-Fi and TV’s and the only cell carrier is Verizon. The Lonesome Creek store has any last minute or forgotten items, including ice! A lovely, onsite coffee stand is available to fix your caffeine cravings. Laundry facilities, bathrooms and showers are available at the north end. In the camping area at the south end, there are additional porta potties that are regularly cleaned and maintained, and fire rings are available at each campsite too.
Start your day with coffee on the beach or on your private deck and watch the sun cast its first light onto James Island. After that, the options are endless! There are sandcastles to build, beach walks to take, kites to fly, driftwood forts to build, or a beach blanket and a book might be your pace. And First Beach is a great place for surfing! It is a fun time just watching these brave athletes and rooting them on to find the perfect wave. Look for whales while you soak in the view of the crashing waves and listen to the sound the rocks make as the waves are carried back out into the ocean. Play fetch with your four-legged friend as there is no shortage of the perfect sized stick! Ride bikes through the resort. After dinner (do check out the Rivers Edge Restaurant that is just a short walk away by the marina) enjoy a campfire or even a fire on the beach while watching the sunset! (Be sure to pick up a fire permit for beach fires at the office and bring your own wood as there is no burning of driftwood.) After dark, the stars fill the sky. The light pollution here is so low it is an amazing location for stargazing!
This is an all-weather resort. In the spring, the Quileute Tribe has a yearly welcoming of the whales event! In fact, winter may even be better than summer as the storm watching from the comfort of your rental is unbeatable. Crack open those windows and just listen! It’s a wonderful time to make more memories as you bring out the puzzles, the board and card games and snuggle in next to the fireplace. Don’t forget the hot chocolate. I do encourage you to still head out to the beach, just dress accordingly and keep an eye on the tide.
Beach Recommendations
As I mentioned before, Quileute Oceanside Resort makes a great base camp for the vast and spectacular Olympic Peninsula! If you can pull yourself away from the resort there is so much to see, adventure and explore! For hikers, I recommend going to Second Beach. It is a short hike down to this magnificent beach which is also a great location for an easy backpacking trip to spend a night or two directly on the beach. Third Beach is a little longer hike, but well worth every step through the gorgeous forest. Be sure to find the waterfall! Second and Third Beach can be walked to from the resort on a trail or they are a very short drive away.
Rialto Beach is a fantastic Beach that you can see from the end of the resort and the Quileute Marina, but you must drive about five miles inland to cross the Quillayute River that dumps into the Pacific Ocean at that location. Back out on US-101 there is Ruby Beach, though it is closed right now until September. Kalaloch Beach is where you can find the Tree of Life, something you definitely want to see! For more beach exploring, check out Kalaloch Beach 3, Beach 4, and hidden Beach 6! Look for the Big Cedar tree too, on the east side of US-101!
Explore The Area
Another gem is our Olympic National Park which is pure awesomeness! The Hoh Rainforest is a marvelous experience! There is the short .8-mile Hall of Mosses trail and the Spruce Nature Trail at 1.2 miles. If you want to hike further the Hoh River trail is a fantastic option. Many backpackers use that trailhead to get deep into the Park. Another option for going into the National Park is the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and Campground which has three mineral soaking pools and a freshwater pool for day use. Further up the road, be sure not to miss the 1.6-mile round trip hike to the breathtaking Sol Duc Falls. You won’t regret that decision.
When you check out, don’t forget to pick up a souvenir, art, book or some jewelry at the beautifully stocked office and welcome center, and please, be sure to review the Tribe’s Photography and Video Policy here.
The Quileute Oceanside Resort really does check all the boxes and it is definitely a yearround location! One hint, book EARLY! The resort fills up quickly as it is loved by many that return repeatedly. A true gift to us all from the Quileute Tribe.
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