Ever thought about what the most northwestern point in the lower 48 states is?  Probably not, and to be fair neither had I until I had a chance to visit it!  Cape Flattery as it’s known is the most north westerly point in the lower 48, and is reached by a short but somewhat steep hike!

At just over a mile round trip, this is not a long hike, but prospective hikers should be aware of the 200+ feet of climbing required to get back to the parking lot.  And while this trail lies on the Olympic Peninsula, this trail is actually in the Makah Indian Reservation.  You probably haven’t heard of this one, but it’s a worthwhile stop if you ever find yourself in this distant corner of the United States!

Miles/Elevation:

1.2 miles

229 feet vertical gain

About The Makah Indian Reservation:

The Makah Indian Reservation is the home of the Makah people on the tip of the Olympic Peninsula.  The reservation is about 47 square miles and is the home of about 1,300 people.  The Makah people are closely related to native groups who inhabit Vancouver Island in nearby Canada, and have a long history of whaling and relying on the resources of the sea.

Hikers coming to visit the Makah Reservation need to purchase a recreation permit before utilizing the trails and beaches of the area.  Recreation permits are available for purchase at a number of local businesses, and cost $20 for a calendar year as of 2023. 

Getting To The Trailhead:

Follow Highway 101 to the Olympic Peninsula, and then all the way out towards the northwest corner of the peninsula.  Once you reach the community of Sappho, turn onto Highway 113 and follow it for about 10 miles.  After 10 miles, continue straight onto Highway 112.

Once on 112, follow it for just under 27 miles until reaching the town of Neah Bay.  Follow the main road through Neah Bay until it turns left and begins leaving town.  You will now be on Cape Flattery Road.  Follow Cape Flattery Road for about 7.5 miles until you reach the Cape Flattery Parking area.  There is extensive parking along the side of the road that is impossible to miss.

Tips:

• Expect fog.
• Be prepared for wet and potentially muddy or slippery conditions.  Good shoes are a must.
• The climbing all comes on the way back to the trailhead.  Every step down on the way out is a step up on the way back.

The Cape Flattery Trail:

The hike begins with a moderate, though steady, descent downhill through the forest.  You’ll be hiking downhill all the way to the lookout point above the coastal cliffs, so be prepared to climb back up on the way out.  All in all it’s only about 200 vertical feet, so while that might be a lot if you aren’t in shape, it’s pretty manageable overall.

The trail quality as you hike through the woods is largely pretty good.  One not ideal aspect of the trail is the numerous tree roots that present obstacles that could cause a rolled ankle, but otherwise the trail is pretty well made.  It was a bit muddy, and on the steeper sections of trail that could cause some slips.  I don’t really think you can complain about a wet trail considering the climate of the Olympic Peninsula though!

Help keep this place beautiful.  Follow Leave No Trace!

After a bit over a quarter mile you will begin nearing the coastal cliffs.  There are some pretty cool lookout points off to the side of the main trail, so definitely check those out!  The main attraction of this hike is the end point, but I think some of the better views of the day come on the way there!  

Also be sure to look back into and under the coast a bit.  Beneath the surface are pretty significant caves that stretch under the forested ground.  Super cool, but it’s a little disconcerting to think you might be above one of those caves!

After just over half a mile you will reach the end point of the hike: the viewpoint at Cape Flattery.  Here you are at the most northwestern point on the mainland of the lower 48 states!  

Looking out over the water, you may notice some islands out a ways over the ocean.  On a clear day you may be able to see the Cape Flattery Lighthouse, first built in 1854!  If you visit on a typically foggy day like I did however, that may not be visible.  I spent most of my time looking back towards the coastal cliffs instead, which was still pretty cool.

After you’ve taken in the views it’s a quick walk back to the parking area.  Remember, you will have over 200 feet to climb before reaching the trailhead, so take it slow if you need.  Before long though, you will be back at your vehicle after a cool little hike!

Topdown Lifestyle Rating: 9/10

For a 1 mile out and back trail, this one is very good.  Does it have the best views I’ve ever seen on a short hike like this?  No, it doesn’t, but you can’t complain about the views here either!  It’s also pretty cool to reach the most north westerly point in the lower 48, so that alone might make it worth checking this trail out!  This is a fun little hike, but nothing life changing, and if you don’t feel like driving all the way out to it, I get it!

Pros:

• Good views
• Dramatic coastline

Cons:

• Very remote
• Busy
• Muddy

Alternative Hikes:

Shi Shi Beach

Rialto Beach To Hole-in-the-Wall

Sol Duc Falls 

Sunrise Viewpoint 

When To Hike Cape Flattery:

The Olympic Peninsula gets 4 strong seasons, and while the area can be visited all year, summer definitely has the best weather for being outdoors.  The high elevation regions of the peninsula receive huge snowfall totals during winter which makes for great skiing, but not so great hiking!  Winter at low elevations means lots and lots of rain.

While you certainly can hike in the rain, the warmest, sunniest, weather of the year occurs during July and August.  June and September can also have excellent conditions, but the risk of adverse weather and lingering snow at elevation are much higher.

I would personally recommend late July or August for a trip here, but if you want to avoid the worst of the crowds and aren’t interested in exploring the higher elevation backcountry, the shoulder months of June and September could be pretty nice. 

I personally would not visit here October through May because of the weather, but if you’re ok with tons of moisture and just don’t want to run into other people, by all means go for it.  Be aware though the backcountry and high elevation reaches of Olympic National Park will likely be snowed in.

Links For Further Reading:

Cape Flattery Trail – Makah Tribe (Neah Bay, Washington)

Cape Flattery Trail: 1342 Reviews, Map – Washington | AllTrails

Cape Flattery Trail: One of Washington’s Most Bucket List-Worthy Hikes – Uprooted Traveler

Cape Flattery — Washington Trails Association