Published: June 5 2023 | Read Time: 5 Minutes
Outdoor enthusiasts from all over the globe ping the Pacific Northwest as a top destination to visit and for good reason. Adventures are never in short supply in the PNW, especially a visit to the Washington coast and surrounding areas, whether you head north or south! We’ve compiled a list of some of the best destinations that are an easy day trip away from Seabrook, Washington, a beach town that offers plenty of outdoor activities on its own with an added bonus of resort-style amenities at more than 280 vacation rentals available year-round.
Plan A Morning Day Trip
If you’re looking for a relatively quick day trip destination, you’ll find plenty to see and do in the great outdoors within a few minutes of Seabrook.
For a fun and historical guided kayaking tour, you don’t want to miss the Ghost Forest Tour hosted by Buck’s Northwest (permanently closed), just a fifteen-minute drive from Seabrook. The tour usually lasts about 3 hours and goes through the estuary of the remnants of an old-growth forest that was devastated from a tsunami in the 1700s.
Spend a morning exploring scenic sites all throughout Ocean Shores, Washington, just a twenty-five minute drive from Seabrook. Pack a picnic and meander through Ocean City State Park, Damon Point, Oyhut Wildlife Recreation Area, and the North Jetty to see trails, coastal wildlife, and miles of Ocean Shores beach accesses.
The Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge
A thirty-five minute drive from Seabrook in Hoquiam, Washington is the national wildlife refuge that offers a great, flat boardwalk with museum-style signage and a binocular observation stand to see how many different types of shorebirds you can see within the refuge. No dogs are allowed in the refuge and it’s a good idea to wear good walking shoes as there’s a ten-minute walk beyond the airport gate to the Sandpiper Trail boardwalk entrance.
Plan An Afternoon Day Trip
If you’re looking to spend a morning and time into the afternoon on a coastal adventure, we recommend these great stops for a scenic drive and ample time outside.
Just a forty-five minute drive from Seabrook is Quinault where the Quinault Rain Forest just begs to be explored with hikes, old-growth forests, waterfalls, and the beautiful Lake Quinault that can be accessed from several picnic areas or from the Lake Quinault Lodge.
A two-hour drive away and part of the Olympic National Park is the Hoh Rainforest with a world-famous forest with towering trees, moss, and other greenery that feels like walking into a magical world in a storybook. There are shorter nature trails and also longer hikes throughout the area to explore.
One of Washington State’s most famous beaches is Ruby Beach with sea stacks, tide pools, driftwood, and more to explore in a breathtaking setting. An hour and eighteen minutes north, Ruby Beach is home to all kinds of wildlife in addition to plenty of paths and trails nearby to further explore the coast.
Plan An All Day Day-Trip
Pick a playlist and your favorite snacks and settle in for a relaxing, scenic drive to destinations that are going to take a few hours but are well worth the drive.
Two-and-a-half hours away is Lake Crescent with its notorious pristine, deep blue-green water and mountain views not to be missed on a trip through the Olympic Peninsula. Nearby, check out Marymere Falls or the Olympic Discovery Trail to take in even more memorable nature.
You’ll need to plan ahead for this hiking day trip, a three-hour drive away. Make sure to bring plenty of food and water and get ready to explore a beautiful combination of the beach and forests with a variety of trails and distances available.
Cape Disappointment State Park is a two-hour and fifteen-minute drive away with enough scenery to easily spend a whole day walking around exploring all of the trails nearby. Don’t miss out on the famous Dead Man’s Cove or the Cape Disappointment lighthouse recreation area that has an amazing view up and down the coast.
Stick Around Town For Some Of The Best Outdoor Activities
If you want to park your car and not drive for a few days, Seabrook has a lot to discover for outdoor enthusiasts, big and small.
Surfing, Paddleboarding, & Skimboarding
Watersports on the Washington coast offer an exhilarating and memorable experience for all ages. The crashing waves provide the perfect playground for adventure enthusiasts, as they carve through the water, ride the swells, and soak in the breathtaking coastal scenery, creating an unbeatable combination of fun and natural beauty. Bring your own gear or rent some from Buck’s Northwest (permanently closed) in Seabrook. Red Cedar Surf Co. also has all of your outdoor outfitting needs, from handcrafted surfboards, skimboards, wetsuits, and more.
Discover a hidden gem right in Seabrook’s backyard, where you’ll find an array of thrilling mountain bike trails. Whether you’re atop the bluffs, embracing the invigorating ocean breeze, or navigating through the untamed forest, the trails of Seabrook offer an unforgettable experience. From beginners to seasoned riders, there’s something for everyone to enjoy along the well-designed single-track, ensuring an exhilarating adventure for all skill levels.
Immersing yourself in the beauty of nature and embarking on refreshing hikes throughout the year is truly a remarkable experience. Hiking in Seabrook unveils a unique journey characterized by glistening sunbeams through cedar, spruce, and hemlock trees, vibrant undergrowth vegetation, and blooming flowers. No matter what captivates you about the great outdoors, you’ll discover that elusive “something” you seek while walking and hiking in this location with the sound of the ocean always heard through the trees.
Head down to the Pacific Glen beach access for volleyball games all summer long! If you don’t have a volleyball, stop by The Dugout located at the South Crescent Indoor Pool and ask the pool attendant to assist you with checking out a ball. There’s also beach volleyball with an instructor every Thursday beginning June 22, 2023 through August 31, 2023 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM!
Using The Beach As Your Artistic Canvas
Unleash your creativity and embrace the vast expanse of the beach as your personal canvas and playground. Whether you’re constructing intricate sandcastles, etching unique designs with stones, driftwood, or shells, or engaging in playful sand games, the possibilities are endless. As you immerse yourself in the sandy wonderland, you might stumble upon unexpected treasures like genuine glass floats or precious agates, adding an element of delightful surprise to your beach adventures.
Vacation Rentals Built With Adventurers In Mind
Whether you’re getting sandy, muddy, or wet from the crashing waves, cleanup in a Seabrook vacation rental is easy. Many homes have outdoor showers, spigots for rinsing sandy toes or paws, and mudrooms for a carefree transition from adventuring to relaxing. Check out homes that make evenings relaxed like private hot tubs, wraparound decks, fire pits, and outdoor lounge chairs. Many homes are also dog-friendly, so if your four-legged friends are also your adventure buddies, they can come for a stay, too.