The Dungeness Spit trail is a true hidden gem for anyone craving a seaside hike in Washington State. This trail takes you 10miles roundtrip down the shores of a sandbar to a lighthouse located at the tip. On a clear day, you can see views of Vancouver and the Olympic Mountains.
This trail is located in Sequim, Washington, which has a unique wind-sheltered microclimate. In fact, on the weekend that I hiked this trail, it was one of the few spots in Washington State that wasn't entirely overcast.
Adventure Stats
Hiked on: February 5, 2023
Hike Time: 3hrs (but it included a run)
Weather: 50F/44F partly cloudy
Popularity: Low
Route Finding: Easy
Trail Hazards: Fallen logs
Key Sights: Ocean, mountains, lighthouse, marine animals
Gear Recommendations: Nothing special required
Route
Distance: 10mi out-and-back
Elevation: +137ft
Location: Olympic Peninsula
Direct Link to Trailhead: Google Maps
Here's the hike on a few different platforms:
Trail Report
The Dungeness Spit recreation area closes it's gates at 9pm, but signs at the trailhead recommend that you are off the trail by 5pm.
At the trailhead, you can find restrooms, informational signs about the area, and a self-issue permitting station. Permit fees are $3 cash-only but are also covered by other recreational passes, including the America the Beautiful Pass.
The first quarter mile of the trail is a well-maintained hard-packed dirt trail through the woods. As the trail drops down to the beach, there is a vantage point where you can view the whole length of the sandbar.
You need to hike to the north of the wood drifts if possible, because the south side of the spot is a wildlife reserve.
Consult a tide table before heading on this trail. You will have a better experience walking on the sand bar during low tide. It's possible to hike this trail at higher tides, but you may be hiking over uneven rocks or scrambling over the wood drifts on the median.
It's 5 miles from the trailhead to the lighthouse. If you're trying to make it to the lighthouse, be sure to budget enough time. Walking on sand is slower than walking on regular trails. Because we had a late start, we jogged a portion of the beach to get to the lighthouse and back before sundown
It probably would have taken us 4 hours total if we didn't run.
Near the lighthouse, we saw a seal swimming close to shore.
On the trek back, the wind picked up and was gusting at maybe 30mph. We were lucky to have jacket hoods and gloves to keep us warm.
The silverlining was that the wind helped blow clouds away, exposing the Olympic Mountains in the distance as we made our way back.
