If you are looking for a beginner-friendly backpacking trail or simply looking to kickstart your backcountry adventure for the season, look no further. Shi Shi Beach in Olympic National Park offers a white sand beach flanked by dramatic sea stacks, a coastal forest approach, and a Point of the Arches payoff that rewards every step of the muddy approach trail.
Trail Stats
Quick facts
- Trailhead: Shi Shi Beach Trailhead (~80 miles from Port Angeles, ~2hr drive)
- Distance: ~9 miles out & back (to Point of the Arches)
- Type: Out and back — can be shortened as camping is allowed anywhere on the beach
- Difficulty: Moderate — marshy and muddy in sections, waterproof boots essential
- Bear canisters: Required — rent from Olympic NP visitor center in Port Angeles or REI
- Water: Carry all water for 2 days — there is a shallow creek but water quality is questionable
How to Get to Shi Shi Beach
The trailhead is close to 80 miles from Port Angeles — the biggest town on the Olympic Peninsula and the gateway to Olympic National Park. Allow about 2 hours of drive time. Port Angeles has everything you need for supplies before heading out.
Overnight Parking
Overnight parking at the Shi Shi Beach trailhead is not allowed — the trailhead parking lot is for day hikers only. There is a designated private overnight parking lot nearby. Drop your gear at the trailhead, drive to the overnight lot, then hike back to the trailhead to begin. Factor in an extra 30 minutes for this.
Camping Permits — Two Required
Two separate permits are required to camp at Shi Shi Beach year-round:
Olympic NP Wilderness Permit
Must be obtained in advance via recreation.gov. Summer permits (May 15–Oct 15) open April 15 at 7am PST. Winter permits open separately. Numbers are limited — apply on opening day.
Makah Recreation Pass
Required because the trailhead and part of the trail lie on Makah tribal land. Costs $20 per vehicle. Purchase in-person at any of the Makah tribal locations near Neah Bay.
Camping Tips
- Camp as close to Point of the Arches as possible — the views of sea stacks are dramatically better at that end of the beach
- Established campsites are available in the forested area behind the beach, or camp directly on the sand (pitch well behind the high tide line)
- Use established fire rings in the forested area — plenty of driftwood on the beach for fires
- Carry a fire starter — driftwood can be damp after rain
- Store all scented items in your bear canister — required here
- Three pit toilets are available on-site
- Carry in all water — don't rely on the beach creek
Our Experience
We had a 1-night permit for May 27th. Departing Port Angeles around 9am, we reached the trailhead at 11am — add another 30 minutes to drop gear and sort out the overnight parking logistics before actually starting.
The first section of the hike moves through lush forest — mostly flat, with wooden boardwalks and bridges for the first mile and a half. After that the trail gets extremely marshy and muddy. Waterproof boots are not optional here.
After crossing several muddy stretches with on-and-off ocean glimpses, we arrived at the edge of a cliff. From here the trail descends steeply via switchbacks to the beach — you lose elevation quickly while still carrying full packs.
We turned left at the beach and walked toward Point of the Arches. Along the way we passed several established campsites — both on the beach and in the forest behind. We set up camp close to the Point, cooked lunch, then explored.
During low tide it's possible to explore sea caves, get close to the sea stacks, and admire their reflections in the wet sand. This is the payoff that makes the muddy approach entirely worth it.
We gathered driftwood from the beach for a campfire at sunset, cooked dinner, and went to sleep listening to waves crashing on the shore — one of the best ways to fall asleep we've experienced on any trip.
The next morning we packed up by 9am. Overcast conditions continued but low tide allowed us to explore Point of the Arches more thoroughly. Back at the trailhead by 1pm — we drove straight to Linda's Woodfired Kitchen in Neah Bay for post-trail pizza. Highly recommended.
Check our beginner gear checklist before you pack.