“Where is Shi Shi Beach?” was the most common question I got when telling people where I was off to for my long weekend away. If you live in Seattle like me you’ll drive, you may take a ferry, and then you will drive some more before making the 4+ mile hike in to your camping spot. Something to note about camping at Shi Shi Beach is that you will need two permits, you’ll want to bring cash to pay for parking, and you’ll need a bear canister. You can pick up the bear cannister and your first permit in Port Angeles at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center. The little Visitor Center is worth the stop, there are friendly Olympic National Park employees that will tell you everything you need to know, get you your bear canister and your permit, and send you happily on your way. They’ll also tell you at the visitors center that you’ll have to pick up another pass from the Makah Indian reservation (this can be purchased at a gas station in town) you’ll see the gas station once you enter the reservation and start driving through town. After all that you’ll finish the short remainder of the drive to Shi Shi beach, the best place to park is on one of the two private properties that offer parking on their land for cash. The benefit of this is that no one will mess with your car, and you are a short walk from the trailhead. Remember you are backpacking over 4 miles to your camping spot, so pack appropriately, and you are in Washington -- so it might rain! Rain gear is lightweight so I would say just bring it in case. You will also need to make sure your food items will fit in a bear cannister (so don’t bring a whole chicken ;) and you will need to pump your own water from one of two water sources on the beach. Make sure you bring a pump and not the little tablets that you drop into your water, that does not work on this water according to the rangers. They recommend that you filter it before you boil it too. Once you get through all the packing, permits, preparation, and driving you are in for a treat! You’ll take a short walk down to the trailhead from the parking lot and then you slip into the woods. Once you enter the woods you will be completely encased in a canopy of trees, and it is beautiful. There are several little bridges and walkways you will pass by on your way, and a section with benches for a rest. Once you get past the easy part of the trail you will come upon the part that is usually wet. Chances are you will be hiking at least a mile on the wet, muddy part of the trail. At the end of the wooded part of the trail there are two sections where you told onto ropes to help you down because it is very steep! Be careful at this part as that would be a very lame start to your trip to twist your ankle. Shortly after the ropes you will be down on the beach. Walking on the beach is the most comfortable part of the trip, but if you want to camp close to the water source you’ll have to hike quite a ways more once you get to the beach. You can camp in the woods so you will be somewhat protected by the trees, or you can set up your tent right on the beach. Either way you will wake up each morning to glorious views and the wonderful smell of saltwater in the air. Hopefully you will be there at a time where you will catch a sunset or two. My favorite part about camping is always exploring, and drinking that camp coffee. These are two things that are amazing at Shi Shi beach because of the view and the ocean air. You can also hike the beach, or the woods, and explore the awesome tidepools. The views are amazing no matter which way you look, and you will not be disappointed by this amazing spot. This is a place that anyone who fancies him/herself an outdoor person should make at least once in their life!