Moclips is a small unincorporated community located on the Pacific Coast of Washington State, in Grays Harbor County. It sits at the northern end of the Grays Harbor coast, just south of the Quinault Indian Nation lands.
Early History
The name "Moclips" is derived from the Quinault language, and the area has been inhabited by the Quinault people for thousands of years. The beach and river provided rich resources including salmon, shellfish, and other marine life.
In the late 19th century, the Northern Pacific Railway extended a line to the coast, making Moclips accessible to visitors from the Puget Sound region. By the early 1900s, Moclips had become a popular summer resort destination, with a hotel, dance hall, and numerous summer cottages.
Moclips in the 20th Century
The community continued to attract visitors throughout the early 20th century. However, a series of storms and a major fire in the 1930s destroyed much of the original resort infrastructure. The population declined, and Moclips became a quieter, more residential community.
Today, Moclips remains a peaceful beachside community with a small permanent population. It is known for its beautiful beaches, outstanding razor clamming, and proximity to the Olympic National Park and the Quinault Rain Forest.
Moonstone Beach
Hi-Tide Resort sits on Moonstone Beach, a stretch of coastline at the north end of Moclips. The beach is named for the smooth, rounded pebbles — sometimes mistaken for moonstones — that are found along the shore alongside the famous Pacific razor clams.
Visit Moclips
Today's visitors come for the wide, uncrowded beaches, exceptional clamming, surfing, kite flying, beachcombing, and the spectacular scenery of Washington's coast. Hi-Tide Resort has been welcoming guests to this special place since 1999.