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The Makah Reservation is the home of the Makah tribe. It’s on the northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington.
Introduction to the Makah Reservation
The Makah were a whale hunting tribe native to the Olympic Peninsula. They ceded all their lands to the US Government in January 31, 1855, except for Cape Flattery which became their reservation. Today, there are plenty of opportunities for visitors such as recreational activities such as fishing, hiking, beaches, and camping. Check the official website for more information.
To participate in recreational activities on the reservation, you must purchase a recreation permit. This can be done at the Makah Museum, Pat’s Place, the Makah Mini Mart, and other businesses in and around Neah Bay. It costs US$20 (as of January 2025) and is good for the whole calendar year. Just place it on your dashboard when parking at trailheads or beaches.
Neah Bay
Neah Bay is the main settlement of the Makah Reservation. It was originally called Poverty Bay by traders, and in 1841 Charles Wilkes (1798-1877) named it Scarborough Harbour in honor of Captain James Scarborough (1805-1855) of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Captain Henry Kellett (1806-1875) changed the name to Neeah Bay in 1847, after the Makah Chief Dee-ah. It eventually shortened to Neah Bay. Today, it’s a popular destination for sport fishing.
Makah Museum
The biggest attraction in Neah Bay is the Makah Museum, which opened in 1979. It’s an excellent place to learn about Makah culture, traditions, and history. Admission is US$10 for adults, US$8 for seniors age 62+ and students age 6-college with a valid ID, and free for kids under 6 (as of January 2025). The museum is open daily, and photography is prohibited inside.
The fascinating exhibits tell about every aspect of the Makah way of life, including fishing, hunting, basketweaving, and more. On display are several authentic artifacts. Many were found at an excavation site in the Ozette area, which was inhabited until a mudslide destroyed it around 1750.
Cape Flattery Trail
Cape Flattery is the most northwesterly point of the contiguous 48 states, offering dramatic views of sea stacks and caves. The trail is about ¾ mile one-way with a 200 foot elevation loss, so coming back will be a bit tougher. You’ll walk on combination of boardwalk and dirt through a forest, and there will probably be a few muddy bits along the way. There are picnic tables near the end of the trail but no garbage cans. A restroom is located at the parking lot.
First Viewpoint
The first viewpoint you come to allows you to see the south side of the cape. This was my favorite view, which included some gorgeous sea stacks.
The rocks and sea stacks just off Cape Flattery are part of the Flattery Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, which stretches from the cape several miles to the south along the coast. The refuge is a section of the Washington Islands Wilderness.
Second Viewpoint
A second two-tiered viewpoint lets you see the north side and some sea caves.
Third Viewpoint
Finally, after climbing a short ladder, you come to the end of the cape and the third and final viewpoint. To the south, you can spot Kessiso Rocks, and to the north, the Cape Flattery Reef. The Makah ancestors used this vantage point to spot early European expeditions entering the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Tatoosh Island
Across the way is Tatoosh Island, where a decommissioned lighthouse has stood dating back to 1857. The island was once used seasonally by Makah fishermen and later by the US Coast Guard, Navy, and Weather Bureau. It’s constantly beaten by waves and wind, and we wondered how lonely it would feel to have been stationed there.
Bahobohosh Point
On the way to the Shi Shi Beach Trail, we stopped at Bahobohosh Point to take pictures of Hobuck Beach to the north and the mouth of the Sooes River to the south.
Where to Eat on the Makah Reservation
Your only real options are in Neah Bay.
Warmhouse
For lunch, we popped into the Warmhouse Restaurant, which has a nice view of the marina. I had a fish and chips meal while Marisol had the clam chowder. The fish and chips was very good but the chowder wasn’t that great. Prices were fair.
