In most states some portion of beaches are public land and all members of the public have a right to use that portion of the beach. The ability to walk along the beach is known as lateral beach access.

But the land between where people can park or walk to the beach and where they can enjoy the beach is often private property, making it difficult to provide access to the public while protecting personal property rights. The ability to reach the beach is known as vertical beach access.

Laws regarding public access to beaches vary from state to state but many states recognize the public trust doctrine, a legal doctrine that certain natural resources such as beaches are owned or held by the government in trust for the public’s use and enjoyment and that the government has an obligation to protect and maintain these resources for the public.

In Washington State, the public trust doctrine applies, ensuring that the state holds certain natural resources, including beaches, in trust for public use and enjoyment. This means that the public generally has the right to access and use the beaches. Lateral beach access, the right to walk along the beach, is typically allowed in Washington, as the area up to the mean high water mark is considered state-owned and therefore public land. However, vertical beach access, which is the ability to reach the beach from upland areas, can be more complicated when the land is privately owned. Washington has made efforts to provide public beach access points to facilitate vertical access, but in some areas, private property rights can limit the availability of such access points. The balance between public access and private property rights is an ongoing issue, and specific regulations can vary by locality. It is advisable to check local ordinances and state regulations for the most current rules regarding beach access in a particular area.