Established Camping

Shi Shi Beach — Olympic National Park

15 Reviews

Do you own or manage this property?

About

National Forest

Olympic National Park

Wilderness Camping Permits are required for overnight stays at Shi Shi. Visit our Wilderness Backpacking Reservations page to learn how to obtain a permit. As of March 15, in alignment with the reopening of the Makah Reservation by the Makah Tribe, the coastal wilderness area north of Cape Alava (including Shi Shi Beach) has reopened. All food, garbage, and scented items must be stored—overnight and when unattended—in park-approved bear canisters along the entire Olympic National Park Wilderness Coast. A Makah Recreation Pass must be purchased in Neah Bay prior to arriving at any trailheads on the Makah Indian Reservation. Overnight parking for Shi Shi is permitted only at designated private parking lots. Utilize existing fire rings or build campfires on the beach to prevent damage to tree roots. Use driftwood only. Expect large crowds at Shi Shi Beach during summer months. There have been as many as 50 to 250 campers along Shi Shi Beach on busy weekends. Pets, use of weapons, and wheeled devices are prohibited on coastal beaches and trails.

Location and sites: Sites are scattered along the beach and in the forest. Toilet Facilities: Three pit toilets are available at Shi Shi Beach: one at the south end of the campsites in the woods at the park boundary; one behind the wooded campsites on south side of Petroleum Creek; and one near Willoughby Creek. Always use toilets. Water Sources: Petroleum Creek and Willoughby Creek. Most coastal water sources have a tea-stained appearance. The light tan color originates from tannin leached from leaves. Cryptosporidium and giardia exist in coastal streams and rivers; always filter or boil water. Iodine is ineffective against cryptosporidium. Stock: Prohibited on all park beaches and beach trails.

Suggest an Edit

The Dyrt Alerts

Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.

Learn More

Access

Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
Group

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Reservable
Toilets
Fires

Rent an RV near Neah Bay, Washington

Find RVs Nearby

Alex T.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 29, 2021

Stunning beach

After an easy hike you arrive at Shi Shi beach-. You can call anywhere on this stunning beach- just watch out for high tide! We saw all kinds of creatures, from starfish in the tide pools to otters on the beach and in the ocean.

There is a relatively difficult but short hike over the bluffs to a stunning cove. You can't camp at the cove but If you are camping on the beach it is definitely worth a day trip.

When I went in early April I had the beach to myself for two days and only saw through hikers and one other camping couple.

Month of VisitJune

(7) View All

Kelly M.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 29, 2018

epic but crowded beach camping

You do need a permit to camp here- obtain from the ranger station in Port Angeles (in person, or call). The hike in is mellow- almost all pretty flat until the final descent to the beach. Pack in your water or bring a filter for the creeks in the area. The beach can be a bit of a mob scene- packed out with photographers and instagramers who seem more interested in getting a cool selfie than the actual stunning beach. To each his own, I guess. It is well worth braving the crowds and sleeping to the sound of the ocean and living with the cadence of the tides for a while. Low tide reveals incredible tide pools- be sure to check them out.

Molly Y.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 22, 2018

Easy Hike Rewarded With Beautiful Views

The drive to Shi Shi (pronounced Shy Shy) Beach was amazing. WA 112 is a fun, winding road with breathtaking views of the ocean. To backpack overnight on Shi Shi Beach you will need a Makah Recreation Pass. It was $10 and we purchased it at the Washburn General Store in Neah Bay. We then followed the signs to the Shi Shi Beach Trailhead. Overnight parking is in someone's front yard (about .7 miles from the trailhead), it was $10 a night.

The hike to Shi Shi Beach is relatively easy, at times muddy, and contains 1 very steep hill. Once we were on the beach we continued to hike until we found a campsite. The site was private with a great ocean view.

In the morning the tide pools were amazing! Colorful starfish and sea anemones everywhere. I highly recommend visiting and spending the night!

Month of VisitSeptember