it just doesn't get better than sleeping on sand. It is a short approach hike (< 1 mile) through lush forest to get there. Tons of wildlife- assorted marine mammals, tide pools, and a few eagles! There are natural bridges and other cool rock formations including tall cartoon like islands just offshore. Bring your own water!
I love beach camping. Bring your TP and follow LNT principles. Also, bring your bear cans. Just like every other beach around here, if you don't store your smelly goods in the can the ranger will make you trek it to your car. It's a mile from the parking area to the beach. Hauling a cooler over a mile is not a fun way to spend your time.
I felt a little sketchy about leaving the car up by the road, but nothing was left in it and it turned out fine.
Our weekend was wet and windy. Sand pelting you in the face windy. We brought a tarp so we were able to make a drift wood covered shelter to hang out in. Beats the tiny tent for hours of sitting.
The next morning was nice. Still cloudy, but no wind. Surfers came out to play. Fun view of Rialto Beach and Hole in the Wall. Lots to explore.
This is about a mile plus hike to the beach from the parking lot where you can set up camp and continue to hike on. In July, it was pretty busy, but with the ocean waves and driftwood, you can find a spot away from the sights and sounds of other campers. Truly beautiful.
small hike to get to the beach but beautiful!
I camped here the Saturday before July 4th, so I should have expected crowds... but it was raining, and didn't know enough people were as crazy as I was. After the pleasant 0.7 mile hike to the beach, I was amazed by how many tents I saw right by the end of the trail. It almost looked like a tent city! Luckily, after walking a mile or so down the beach, the tents spread out significantly and we were able to find relative solitude.
Amenities: There were a few small streams coming in to provide drinking water. We didn't use the privy, and I wouldn't count on finding a place in the woods to dig a cat hole. There was enough driftwood at the edge of the beach to set up tarps for rain/sun protection.
Plan ahead! you have to get a permit in either Quinault or Port Angeles, and bear cans are required.
Highlights: We saw a pod of orca!!! And lots of cool tidepools :)
I loved every minute of this place. Perfect hike to the beach and amazing camping. Even the ocean was perfect. I felt like I was in Southern Oregon. We brought our dog, but there were signs saying we shouldn’t have.
You have to hike about a mile and have a permit from the Rangers station, but it’s all worth it for the unbelievable low tides.
Super beautiful long stretch of beach on an easy hike around 1 mile each direction. Start in the large parking lot about a half mile from the La Push store and resort, plenty of parking with an overflow lot. Trail is pretty steady until it drops down to the beach itself with a winding set of stairs. Once you cross the driftwood pushed up against the tree line you have a wide open beach to roam. Camp anywhere you see fit to pitch a tent.
Tip: Make sure to use the facilities at the trailhead instead of the "at capacity" outhouse down by the beach. Also if camping bring your own water and firewood as both are hard to come by out on the beach. Make sure to have your permit and bear canister too in case a ranger is checking.
Second Beach is a bit of a drive for most of us out to the coast near Forks, WA but the smell of the sea, the ability to camp right on the beach, waking up to the crash of the pacific ocean, not to mention the view; make it totally worth the trip!
This is a relatively quick and easy hike. The trek is about 2 miles, up a hill and back down the other side. Upon arrival to the beach there is a large log jam to scramble over before being able to shed your shoes and sink your toes in the sand while you meander the beach choosing the perfect camp site.
There is one pit toilet near the trail exit to the beach and there are rumors of another on a hill overlooking the beach but I’ve yet to find it. There are few streams exiting the forest onto the beach to collect your water from.
When the tide is in you can roam the upper beach, play Frisbee, surf or relax. When the tide is out get out and explore the whole new world that has opened up, the beach is alive with sea life in the tide pools and rocks that have now been exposed. Admire the sea stacks known as the Quillayute Needles jutting out of the sea and up from the beach. Make it around to the backside of the largest rock, Crying Lady Rock, and there is a cave on the back side facing the sea where we enjoyed a vibrant sunset from. Though ensure you get off the rock before the tides come back in or you will enjoy a swim back to shore.
** Holiday weekends make this normal solitude a wild, packed and crazy place to camp.**
