Cohassett Beach: Beaches, Trails and Maritime History

Cohassett Beach is known as a coastal area with miles of sandy beaches and wide-open spaces. State Route 105 runs through Cohassett Beach and is designated the Cranberry Coast Scenic Byway. The beach and coast are therefore at the heart of the area; trails, surfing, and maritime history add to the themes to consider when planning your trip.

Coast and Getting There

Surfing is available at Cohassett Beach, including opportunities to learn how to surf. Check surf and beach conditions before your visit. Cohassett Beach is also served by the Grays Harbor transit system; it is best to check specific connections directly with the provider.

A corridor description printed on March 28, 2018, mentions a park-and-ride lot along the SR-105 corridor near Cohassett Beach. It also notes a seasonal increase in traffic demand at low tide during the shellfish-gathering season. If you plan to use the lot to get there, check its current status beforehand.

Beach and Water

A range of activities are described for Westport’s beaches: walking, beachcombing, whale watching, and watching the sunset. Seabirds, seals, and migrating gray whales are also good subjects for observation there. This information refers to Westport; the surfing available at Cohassett Beach is a separate aspect of trip planning.

Westport’s three main surf breaks are suitable for surfers from beginner to advanced levels. Surf conditions can vary. If you are weighing up the beach and water activities, there are different options to consider: surfing at Cohassett Beach, on the one hand, and the breaks and wildlife-viewing opportunities described for Westport, on the other.

Trails and Parks

Westport Light State Park is a 560-acre day-use park with 1,215 feet of shoreline. It has an accessible concrete path and a walking trail along the beach. Classes are available in the park from May through September. The 1.5-mile Westport Light Trail connects the Westport Lighthouse with Westhaven State Park. You can walk or cycle along the bluff above the ocean.

At Twin Harbors State Park, the Shifting Sands Trail leads from the campground to the beach. The two trails have different starting and ending points: the Westport Light Trail connects two named places and runs above the coast, while the Shifting Sands Trail leads from the campground to the shore. For a longer stretch of coast, there is the South Beach Area of the Seashore Conservation Area: it extends for 18 miles from Willapa Bay to Point Chehalis in Westport and is preserved for public recreation.

Lighthouses and History

Grays Harbor Lighthouse is 107 feet tall and the tallest lighthouse in Washington State. Visitors can climb up to the original third-order Fresnel lens. The lens was made in Paris in 1895. The Westport Maritime Museum houses a working first-order Fresnel lens from the Destruction Island Lighthouse. Since exhibits can change, check before your visit whether the lens is currently on display. The museum is housed in the original U.S. Coast Guard station.

Cohassett Beach also has its own historical perspective: summer gatherings of the Grand Army of the Republic were held there in the 1880s. The “Cohassett Beach Chronicles” collection traces everyday life on the home front during World War II through newspaper columns. Together with the Fresnel lenses and the lighthouse, these topics offer different ways to explore the history of the coast.

Find a Hotel for Cohassett Beach

If you are looking for a hotel in Cohassett Beach, first decide what you want your trip to focus on: the beach and surfing, seaside trails, or lighthouse and regional history. With a clear priority, you can start searching for offers and compare them based on what matters for your own travel dates.

Explore more destinations: Elma, Quinault, Hoquiam, Ocean Shores, Ocean City, Grayland, Copalis Beach, Montesano

For the broader travel overview: Grays Harbor County.