Cape Flattery Trail

Do you know where the furthest northwest tip of the contiguous United States is? It’s Cape Flattery, part of the Makah Indian Reservation in the state of Washington. Named by Capitan James Cook in 1778 on his third and final voyage of discovery in the Pacific Ocean, he wrote in his journal,  “… there appeared to be a small opening which flattered us with the hopes of finding an harbour … On this account I called the point of land to the north of it Cape Flattery.” In order to use the trail that takes you to Cape Flattery, you’ll need to pick up a permit at the Museum at the Makah Cultural and Research Center, which is also a great place to learn about the Makah culture, the region’s animals, and the sights that are possible on the Makah land. The trail is an easy 1.5 miles, out and back, along a boardwalk through a lush rain forest and overlooks to sea caves and sea stacks. At the end of the trail is an observation platform that affords views of the ruggedness of the Washington Coast, the Pacific Ocean, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Tatoosh Island with Cape Flattery Lighthouse. For outstanding vistas and the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States, check out the Cape Flattery Trail.