Visiting Cape Flattery – The U.S.’s Far Northwestern Point

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to arrive at the far corner of a country—drive to the end of the road, hike through a forest, and feel like you’ve reached the edge of the world—let me introduce you to Cape Flattery, the northwesternmost point in the contiguous United States. Earlier this year, we took a road trip through the Pacific Northwest, exploring everything from the two-tiered cascade of Multnomah Falls to the moody, rugged coastline of Ruby Beach. Halfway through our adventure, we found ourselves standing at the furthest edge of the contiguous coastline.

“Reveal” videos, with their sweeping camera movements that slowly unveil breathtaking views, are everywhere on social media these days. But Cape Flattery takes that concept to another level. Over the course of three-quarters of a mile the trail transitions from a dense Sitka spruce forest to jaw-dropping views of cliffs, sea stacks, and a lighthouse in the distance. If you’re lucky, as we were, you might even spot whales exploring the shoreline!

There’s so much I want to share about Cape Flattery—from its natural beauty to the magic of the trail. So let’s dive in!

Our Stay in Sekiu

We made the classic mistake of not planning our road trip lodging far enough in advance (whoops!). By the time we were looking to book, our options were either limited or way outside of our comfort zone budget-wise. If you’re better at planning ahead than we are, you can find plenty of places to stay closer to Cape Flattery on Makah Tribal land, like Hobuck Beach Resort, Cape Resort, or Inn at Neah Bay.

For us, the small fishing village of Sekiu (pronounced seek-you) became our home base for the three days we spent exploring the far northwestern edge of Washington. This quiet, unassuming town turned out to be one of our favorite surprise finds.

Sekiu has an air of peaceful serenity—an unhurried, laid-back vibe that feels rare these days. It’s the kind of place where time seems to slow down. Staying here was the most relaxed we’ve felt in ages—not just while traveling, but in general. Our Airbnb was just a few feet from the bay, so every morning, we’d wake up, pull back the curtains, and watch fishermen (and women) setting out for the day, their boats gliding over the calm, glassy water.

Now, Sekiu isn’t a foodie’s paradise. It doesn’t have a bustling restaurant scene like other small towns, but it does have a gem: By the Bay Cafe. We couldn’t pin down their hours—they seemed to be open whenever you needed them, from early morning to late at night. On our first night in Sekiu, we rolled in after 11 PM, starving from a long day of driving, and were amazed when they offered to make us dinner. It was such a thoughtful gesture, and the food hit the spot.

The cafe isn’t just a place to eat; it’s where the community gathers. Locals stop by for coffee and conversation, fishermen swap stories, and time seems to pause. We felt the laid-back spirit of Sekiu most when we saw a family come in stressed and in a rush, trying to grab a quick meal before their next stop. When they complained to the waitress about the wait, her calm response was, “You have the rest of the day.” It stuck with us—why rush when you’re in a place designed for slowing down?

Another reason we loved Sekiu was its proximity to so many incredible places. We would highly recommend hiking the beautiful coastline of Shi Shi Beach, stargazing near Shipwreck Point and exploring the rich history of the Makah Tribe at the museum in Neah Bay.

Driving from Sekiu to Cape Flattery

As much as we loved the laid-back vibe of Sekiu (we could have stayed there forever), it was time for us to hit the road and explore Cape Flattery. The 45-minute drive follows a two-lane road that hugs cliffs plunging into the ocean. Waves crashed against the massive sea stacks, and the Canadian landscape could be seen across the Salish Sea.

But fair warning: If you love winding roads like I do, your passengers might hold on a bit tighter!

We drove with the windows down, taking in the salty ocean air. Our two dogs loved the view while safely seatbelted in the backseat as well!

Looking for a place to stay near Cape Flattery? You can book hotels and unique stays around the region using this link.

Arriving in Neah Bay

We pulled into the coastal village of Neah Bay 30 minutes into the drive. Just like Cape Flattery, Neah Bay is located on the Makah Reservation. The land here is more than just breathtaking; you can feel the deep history, significance, and pride that the Makah people have placed on it for thousands of years.

Before you travel further, if you plan to camp or visit trails and beaches on the reservation, you must pick up a recreation permit. Permits can be purchased at several locations on the reservation, including the Makah Marina, Museum, Pat’s Place, Makah Mini Mart, Tribal Center, Hobuck Beach Resort, The Cape Resort and near the Cape Flattery trailhead during the summer months.

We stopped at the Museum at the Makah Culture and Research Center to grab ours. It’s $20 per vehicle and good for the entire year. While you’re there, don’t skip the self-guided tour. We learned about a massive mudslide near Lake Ozette that preserved an Ozette village for over 400 years, the tribe’s incredible whaling and canoeing history, and how Europeans settlers impacted their way of life and culture.

If you need any last-minute hiking supplies before reaching Cape Flattery, we recommend stopping at the Washburn General Store.

Parking at Cape Flattery

After picking up our recreation pass, learning more about the Makah people and grabbing any last-minute hiking supplies, we were ready for the final 15 minutes of the drive to Cape Flattery.

The parking lot is unassuming with a row of spots which can fit about 20 cars. There are pit toilets and, during our visit, a large dumpster for trash and dog waste-a helpful touch for this dog-friendly trail! At the back of the lot, near an RV turnaround spot, you’ll find the sign pointing you toward the trailhead.

Cape Flattery Interactive Map

Use our interactive map to explore the best spots at Cape Flattery, including the trail, viewpoints, parking areas, and nearby attractions.

A Short Hike with Amazing Views

From the parking lot, the trail gently descends toward the coast. The first tenth of a mile is the steepest, with about a -16% grade. When we visited in early August, it was a little muddy, wet, and slippery. The cape usually receives more than 100 inches of rain annually. Normally, we’d bring hiking poles for trails like this, but we decided we didn’t need them this time.

Neah Bay Weather

Since it’s a dog-friendly trail, we packed water, snacks, and binoculars for whale watching—plus treats for our puppers, of course! The trail transitions to well-maintained boardwalks for the rest of the way. We kept a close eye on our small dogs while walking the boards since there were a few gaps between them, just wide enough for little legs to slip through.

As we hiked, our Verizon cell service decided to “slip” away too. We even got a surprise notification: “Welcome to Canada!”—despite never leaving Washington!

As we continued, the woodland surroundings gave way to reveal the dramatic cliffs and coastline of Washington’s farthest corner. Words—and even photos—can’t truly capture the full beauty of this place.

Some of our favorite locations, where we sat for hours, were at Camel’s Toe Rock, the area directly across the trail from it, the Cape Flattery Observation Deck, and Miracle Point.

The observation deck had a steady flow of hikers coming and going, but fortunately, it wasn’t crowded during our visit. From there, you can see the Cape Flattery Lighthouse on Tatoosh Island. Built in 1857, this lighthouse has played a vital role in guiding ships safely into the Pacific.

While enjoying the beauty, we occasionally heard a faint, high-pitched sound and watched as hikers would point excitedly. Baby gray whales were swimming close to the coastline! Every so often, one would surface, sending a spray of water from its blowhole into the air. The sight was mesmerizing, but even more captivating was when they dove back down, showing off their massive tails.

Stunning Views at the Edge of the U.S. (Gallery)

While words can’t fully capture it, here’s a glimpse of the incredible views we experienced.

A View Worth the Miles

We stayed in Sekiu, exploring the surrounding area for 3 days. Our last full night in Sekiu, we decided to attempt capturing sunset photos at Cape Flattery. So, we again set out on a 45 minute drive and corresponding hike down to the coast with our dogs. We were optimistic that, like our first time at the cape, that it would be clear skies and sunny. However, as the sun continued to set, clouds rolled in and blocked the sunset and the temperature plummeted. Good thing we brought along a few things to keep warm, like our hand warmers and thermal blankets!

Though we weren’t able to capture the sunset, our hike out there wasn’t a complete waste. We had a chance to listen to the baby gray whales again, get out in the woods and talk with other hikers hoping to also take in the sunset.

The peaceful vibes really made it the perfect way to end our visit to Sekiu and the farthest corner of the contiguous United States.

Have you been to Cape Flattery or spotted gray whales along the coast? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below. Share your favorite moments with us!