Brandon Walker Nestled away from the bustling city life, there are hidden gems scattered across the United States where you can escape to and enjoy tranquility. These secluded beaches, difficult to access, offer a unique blend of natural beauty and serenity. In this article, we uncover the top 10 elusive beaches in the U.S., each with its own distinct charm and allure.
1. Polihale, Kauai, Hawaii
Situated on the remote west side of Kauai in Polihale State Park, Polihale beach is a secluded paradise. To reach this beach, you will need to navigate a rough and rutted five-mile-long road, which can sometimes become impassable due to flooding.
Access and Attractions
The journey is a bit challenging, as some car rental companies prohibit the use of their vehicles here, so you’ll need to check your contract carefully. But once you arrive, you’ll be greeted with a secluded strip of golden sands, guarded by the tallest sea cliffs in the world. With emerald spires rising 4,000 feet, there are 17 miles to roam, making it a haven for solitude seekers.
Although the surf is too powerful for swimming, refreshing dips can be enjoyed in the Queen’s Pond tidal pool, located at the northern end. If you stick around until dusk, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking sunset.
2. Secret Beach, Brookings, Oregon
Oregon’s Secret Beach, located near Brookings, lives up to its name. It is hidden within the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor with no signposts leading the way.
Access and Attractions
The beach is accessible through a moderately challenging hike on a steep 0.8-mile trail. One crucial point to note is that Secret Beach can only be enjoyed at low tide. Once you arrive, the sight is a Pacific Northwest fantasy with jagged bluffs thrashed by waves while soaring spruce trees line black volcanic rocks. The massive rocks help protect the beach from wind and waves, offering a tranquil oasis.
3. Bound Brook Island Beach, Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Located in the popular summer destination of Cape Cod, Bound Brook Island Beach is a hidden gem, often overlooked by both tourists and locals.
Access and Attractions
Reaching the beach requires driving a mile on the narrow, bumpy Bound Brook Island Road or hiking, which typically takes around 25 minutes. Once at the shore, you’ll discover one of the most secluded places in all of Cape Cod. The beach is a great place to explore tide pools at low tide, or just relax and enjoy a sunset over Cape Cod Bay.
4. Greyhound Rock Beach, Davenport, California
Greyhound Rock Beach, located north of Davenport near Santa Cruz, is part of the Greyhound Rock State Marine Conservation Area. This beach earns its nickname from the iconic Greyhound Rock, which juts out into the Pacific from the golden sands.
Access and Attractions
The beach is hidden from the highway, with only a large parking lot indicating its presence. To reach the beach, visitors need to descend a short but steep cliff, which may not be accessible to everyone. Surfers will find a couple of lefthand breaks, but most visitors come to relax and enjoy the views.
5. Second Beach, La Push, Washington
Located on the remote and lush Olympic Peninsula, Second Beach is a standout among the many wild and breathtaking beaches along the peninsula’s west coast.
Access and Attractions
The beach requires a 0.7-mile hike, accessed just outside the town of La Push. Soaring sea stacks rise out of the waves, creating a picturesque view. Expect to see plenty of wildlife, including seals, bald eagles, and occasionally whales during their migration months.
6. Carova Beach, Outer Banks, North Carolina
Visiting Carova Beach might make you feel as if you’re at the edge of the world. Located in the northern Outer Banks, it’s far from the beaten path, accessible only by 4X4.
Access and Attractions
This spectacular, unspoiled scenery is often home to the famous Corolla wild horses, descendants of Spanish mustangs, that roam free here. The beach is perfect for water sports like kayaking and kiteboarding, or simply soaking up the sun and the serene atmosphere.
7. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Dry Tortugas National Park is not exactly a well-kept secret as a national park, but it isn’t easy to get to. Located 70 miles off the shores of Key West, you’ll need to catch a ferry or charter a seaplane to visit this pristine location.
Access and Attractions
Just 1% of the park is dry land, with the turquoise water that surrounds the islands home to the third largest reef system in the world. It’s a top spot for diving and snorkeling, with everything from shipwrecks to abundant marine life.
8. Sandbridge Beach, Virginia
Located in Virginia, the Sandbridge Beach offers a calm and quiet respite from the more crowded Virginia coastal destinations. The beach, strictly sand and sea along a 5-mile coastline, is dotted with private beach homes.
Access and Attractions
The beach doesn’t have many facilities, making it less crowded and more appealing to those seeking solitude. It’s the perfect place to unwind, enjoy the sun, and soak in the tranquility of nature.
2. Secret Beach, Brookings, Oregon
Oregon’s Secret Beach, located near Brookings, lives up to its name. It is hidden within the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor with no signposts leading the way.
Access and Attractions
The beach is accessible through a moderately challenging hike on a steep 0.8-mile trail. One crucial point to note is that Secret Beach can only be enjoyed at low tide. Once you arrive, the sight is a Pacific Northwest fantasy with jagged bluffs thrashed by waves while soaring spruce trees line black volcanic rocks. The massive rocks help protect the beach from wind and waves, offering a tranquil oasis.
3. Bound Brook Island Beach, Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Located in the popular summer destination of Cape Cod, Bound Brook Island Beach is a hidden gem, often overlooked by both tourists and locals.
Access and Attractions
Reaching the beach requires driving a mile on the narrow, bumpy Bound Brook Island Road or hiking, which typically takes around 25 minutes. Once at the shore, you’ll discover one of the most secluded places in all of Cape Cod. The beach is a great place to explore tide pools at low tide, or just relax and enjoy a sunset over Cape Cod Bay.
4. Greyhound Rock Beach, Davenport, California
Greyhound Rock Beach, located north of Davenport near Santa Cruz, is part of the Greyhound Rock State Marine Conservation Area. This beach earns its nickname from the iconic Greyhound Rock, which juts out into the Pacific from the golden sands.
Access and Attractions
The beach is hidden from the highway, with only a large parking lot indicating its presence. To reach the beach, visitors need to descend a short but steep cliff, which may not be accessible to everyone. Surfers will find a couple of lefthand breaks, but most visitors come to relax and enjoy the views.
5. Second Beach, La Push, Washington
Located on the remote and lush Olympic Peninsula, Second Beach is a standout among the many wild and breathtaking beaches along the peninsula’s west coast.
Access and Attractions
The beach requires a 0.7-mile hike, accessed just outside the town of La Push. Soaring sea stacks rise out of the waves, creating a picturesque view. Expect to see plenty of wildlife, including seals, bald eagles, and occasionally whales during their migration months.
6. Carova Beach, Outer Banks, North Carolina
Visiting Carova Beach might make you feel as if you’re at the edge of the world. Located in the northern Outer Banks, it’s far from the beaten path, accessible only by 4X4.
Access and Attractions
This spectacular, unspoiled scenery is often home to the famous Corolla wild horses, descendants of Spanish mustangs, that roam free here. The beach is perfect for water sports like kayaking and kiteboarding, or simply soaking up the sun and the serene atmosphere.
7. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Dry Tortugas National Park is not exactly a well-kept secret as a national park, but it isn’t easy to get to. Located 70 miles off the shores of Key West, you’ll need to catch a ferry or charter a seaplane to visit this pristine location.
Access and Attractions
Just 1% of the park is dry land, with the turquoise water that surrounds the islands home to the third largest reef system in the world. It’s a top spot for diving and snorkeling, with everything from shipwrecks to abundant marine life.
8. Sandbridge Beach, Virginia
Located in Virginia, the Sandbridge Beach offers a calm and quiet respite from the more crowded Virginia coastal destinations. The beach, strictly sand and sea along a 5-mile coastline, is dotted with private beach homes.
Access and Attractions
The beach doesn’t have many facilities, making it less crowded and more appealing to those seeking solitude. It’s the perfect place to unwind, enjoy the sun, and soak in the tranquility of nature.
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