Neah Bay is a town of about 900 people on the northwest corner of Washington state's Olympic Peninsula. It's the most northwestern town of the contiguous United States. The whole town and its surrounding areas are part of the Makah Indian Reservation.
Understand
[edit]Neah Bay is on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, facing north towards Canada's Vancouver Island. It is close to where the strait meets the open ocean at Cape Flattery, the northwestern most point of the contiguous United States. It is north of the coastal section of Olympic National Park.
The Makah (pron.: /məˈkɑː/, from the Klallam name for the tribe, màq̓áʔa) are a Native American tribe that lives in and around Neah Bay. Their reservation on the northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula includes Tatoosh Island. The Makah people refer to themselves as "Kwih-dich-chuh-ahtx" (Qʷidiččaʔa·tx̌) which translates as "the people who live by the rocks and seagulls".
This guide also covers the communities of Clallam Bay and Sekiu, within half an hour along State Route 112. They have a combined population of about 800 people.
A Makah Recreation Permit is required for every vehicle visiting the tourist attractions around Neah Bay. It can be purchased for $20 at the Makah Marina, the Makah Museum, Makah Mini Mart, Makah Tribal Center, and the Hobuck Beach Resort, The Cape Resort, and the Cape Flattery trailhead. It is valid for one calendar year.
Get in
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By car
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Neah Bay is at the west end of State Route 112. WA-112 follows the north coast from near Port Angeles, through Clallam Bay and Sekiu.
From US-101, take the intersection with State Route 113 at Sappho, 44 mi (71 km) west of Port Angeles and 12.3 mi (19.8 km) north of Forks. From the intersection it is another 37 mi (60 km) to Neah Bay. WA-113 becomes WA-112 when the road turns westwards in Clallam Bay.
By bus
[edit]Neah Bay is served by 1 Clallam Transit Route 16 from Forks via Sappho and Sekiu. The bus stop in town is in front of the Senior Center at Bayview (SR-112) & Kal-Chote.
From Port Angeles, take Clallam Transit Route 14 towards Forks and get off at Sappho (there is a gravel parking lot before the intersection with WA-113). Transfer to the #16 bus coming from Forks to get to Neah Bay.
By plane
[edit]The 2 Sekiu Airport(FAA LID: 11S) can be used for general aviation and air taxi. If your aircraft needs a longer runway, you may land at Forks or Port Angeles.
The nearest airports for commercial passenger flights are in Sea-Tac SEA IATA and Victoria YYJ IATA.
By boat
[edit]- 3 Makah Marina, 1321 Bayview Ave, ☏ +1 360-645-3015. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa-Su 8AM-3PM. A fully serviced marina, with both long term and short term parking for vehicles and trailers, docks, 200 slips, permanent and temporary moorage, water and electricity hookups, accommodations for vessels over 100 feet, access to restrooms and showers and a fuel dock.
Get around
[edit]Every attraction within the city proper can be reached on foot. You have to drive a car, however, to get to other attractions, especially Cape Flattery.
By bus
[edit]The Makah Tribe operates 1 Makah Public Transit to provide local public transportation in and around town on a single route.
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See
[edit]- 1 Cape Flattery (take Cape Flattery Rd all the way to the end). The far northwestern corner of the mainland US. A short 0.7 mi (1.1 km) trail through forest leads to a lookout point that overlooks the rocky coast, Tatoosh Island lighthouse, and both Canada and the Pacific Ocean in the distance.
- 2 Makah Museum, Cultural & Research Center, 1880 Bayview Ave, ☏ +1 360 645-2711. Daily 10AM-5PM. A visit to an Indian Reservation area would not be complete without learning about the local culture, with exhibits featuring the rich history of the first settlers of the area and how they cope with nature. $5 adult, $4 students.
- 3 [dead link] Makah National Fish Hatchery, 897 Fish Hatchery Rd, Clallam Bay, ☏ +1 360 645-2521, [email protected]. M-F 8AM-4PM. Get to know about the Pacific Northwest's love for salmon in this hatchery. Different species and life cycles of salmon can be seen at different times of the year. Free.
- 4 Fort Núñez Gaona, 185 Bayview Ave. A small monument with an interpretive panel where the first white settlement in Washington state used to be in 1792, though it was settled for only 4 months.
Do
[edit]- 1 Big Salmon Resort, 1251 Bayview Ave, ☏ +1 360 645-2374. A tackle shop that also provides boat rentals or charters for saltwater fishing and other boating necessities if you have your yacht parked at a nearby marina.
- 2 Shi Shi Beach, Shi Shi Beach Rd, Clallam Bay (from Makah Passage, take the right branch that has a sign to the fish hatchery to the trailhead). Deep inside the Makah Reservation is one of the few beaches on the peninsula that is flat and sandy for miles, with tidepools and vistas of sea stacks at the edge of the primordial sea. Getting to the beach requires a 2 mi (3.2 km) overland hike. The beach extends into Olympic National Park, which allows overnight beach camping with a permit. Overnight private cars must be parked at a private home 0.5 mi (0.80 km) from the trailhead for $10/night, cash-only.
Buy
[edit]There are no ATM branches from big banks in the area, though small ATMs may be found at fuel stations. A few major establishments accept cards but you are advised to bring a stash of cash.
- Washburn General Store, 1450 Bayview Ave, ☏ +1 360 645-2211. M-F 9AM-7PM, Sa Su 9AM-6PM. Groceries and deli, hardware and most of the things you may need for some last-minute necessities.
- Makah Mini-Mart, 931 Bayview Ave, ☏ +1 360 645-2802. Gas 24 hours. This is where you can fill up your gas tank and also get some refreshments in a convenience store.
- Arts and crafts can be bought at the museum shop.
Eat
[edit]Neah Bay
[edit]- 1 Linda's Woodfired Kitchen, 1110 Bayview Ave, ☏ +1 360 640-2192. Tu-Su noon-7PM. A pizza place, but more memorable for its wood-fired oven baked salmon with potatoes and vegetables. It also houses a 2-room motel at the back.
- 2 Pat's Place, 1111 Bayview Ave. Tu W F noon-6PM, Th Sa noon-5:30PM. Anyone visiting this restaurant comes back for its Indian frybread tacos.
- 3 Take Home Fish Co., 898 Woodland Ave (look for a small blue and green shack), ☏ +1 360 645-2334. A seemingly off-the-beaten-path shack, but don't let that deter you from coming in to smell and savor the smoked fishes sold by the pound; the type of fish varies by season but usually salmon is available.
- 4 The Warm House, 1471 Bay View Ave, ☏ +1 360 645-2077. Su-Th 7AM-7PM, F Sa 7AM-8PM. A more upscale option in town. Sandwiches and seafood for lunch & dinner that's on the heartier side.
Sekiu
[edit]- 5 By the Bay Cafe, 343 Front St, Sekiu, ☏ +1 360 963-2998. M-Th 8AM-8PM, F 8AM-9PM, Sa 7AM-9PM, Su 7AM-8PM. The only place to eat in this tiny town. Look for the jogging fish statue. Typical American cafe plus sandwiches, fish and chips and seafood.
Clallam Bay
[edit]- 6 [dead link] Breakwater Inn, 15582 WA-112, ☏ +1 360 963-2428. Su-Th 7AM-9PM, F Sa 7AM-10PM. Classic diner and local fares, midway between Clallam Bay and Sekiu.
Drink
[edit]You won't find alcohol in Neah Bay, as it is forbidden in the Makah Indian Reservation Area. The above restaurants in Sekiu and Clallam Bay serve alcohol.
Sleep
[edit]Places to sleep mostly consist of motels and small houses that are scattered throughout the area. You can choose a city-center location or a secluded beach. You are in luck if you want to enjoy the great outdoors, as many sites offer camping and RV hookups.
- 1 Bullman Beach Inn, 1663 WA-112, ☏ +1 360 645-2306. 4 rooms in a house, each accommodating 2 guests. Rooms are complete with a kitchen. Directly behind the beach. Closed November-April. From $100 per night.
- 2 Butler's Motel, 910 Woodland Ave, Neah Bay, ☏ +1 360 640-0948. A quaint 9-room motel at the city center. Call for price quote..
- 3 Cape Resort, 1510 Bayview Ave, Neah Bay, ☏ +1 360 645-2250. A place of stay adjacent to the beach and in the city. Your choice of sleeping in cabins, bunkhouses, or tent. Or just park your RV and stay in. Cabins $95/night off-season,$115/night summer; bunkhouses $50 per night for two & $5 per additional person; tent $25 for duration of stay; RV $40/night with hookup, $25/night without hookup.
- 4 Hobuck Beach Resort, 2726 Makah Passage, ☏ +1 360 645-2339. Another beach resort, but in a more quiet area of the reservation. More cabins and space for tents and RVs. Cabins from $150/night April-September, $110/night October-March; RV $40/night; campground $35/night.
- 5 [dead link] The Inn at Neah Bay, 1562 WA-112, ☏ +1 360 374-2225. 4 room options that can cater from couples to families. 4 miles from Neah Bay Oct-Mar from $88/night, Apr-Sep from $120/night.
Stay safe
[edit]Alcohol and marijuana are prohibited in the Makah Indian Reservation area, although it is in Washington state where both are legal for ages 21 and above. Please do not attempt to or inadvertently bring them into the area to avoid any further hassle.
Certain species of dogs are prohibited from roaming the reservation area. Dogs are not allowed on Shi Shi Beach as it's part of the Olympic National Park.
If you are traveling in the wintertime, you are advised to check the weather forecast as it is frequently rainy and sometimes stormy. High winds can cause power outages and rain can cause mudslides. Check with your resort regarding travel advisories before you get there.
Connect
[edit]Mobile connection can be spotty and so far, only Verizon phones can receive signal well in this "remote" part of the USA. When you use your phone along the highway, it can sometimes switch to a Canadian cellular network without you knowing it. Turn off the international roaming to avoid paying a high roaming fare.
It is advisable to bring a physical map in addition to the map on your smartphone, especially if you are venturing out further into the Indian Reservation where you may have little luck in finding a signal.
Wi-Fi is usually available at hotels and some restaurants.
Go next
[edit]As Neah Bay is the last frontier of western Washington, there's no other way but to get back to land and explore the rest of the Olympic Peninsula.
- Olympic National Park is the main attraction of the peninsula.
- Port Angeles, the largest city in the peninsula, can be reached by taking a left on the US-101 intersection.
- Forks is straight at the same junction.
| Routes through Neah Bay |
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→ Port Angeles → END |