Cape Flattery – The Northwest Corner of the 48 Lower US States

Cape Flattery is a scenic headland located on the northwestern tip of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula. It is known of its stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and its rugged coastline. It is the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States.

The area around the cape is part of the Makah Reservation, home to the Makah Tribe. To access the cape visitors pay a $20 fee per vehicle for an annual Makah Recreation Permit. They can be purchased at the Makah Museum, or at various local establishments. The museum is a worthwhile stop to learn a bit about the tribe’s culture and history.

You can access Cape Flattery via a short, well-maintained trail that leads through a forested area and emerges at several viewpoints overlooking the ocean. The cape features dramatic cliffs, sea caves, and rock formations that are a photographers dream. The trail length is .75 mi. each way, with not a lot of altitude gain.

Keep your eye out for puffins. We didn’t see them ourselves, but heard that they are sometimes visible in the summer.