Camping on Second Beach in Washington | A Complete Guide

Falling asleep to the sights and sounds of the ocean, waking up to mist shrouded sea stacks rising out of the water, feeling completely immersed in Olympic's rugged beauty. Camping on Second Beach is full of experiences that will stick with you.

It's one of our favorite backpacking trips on the west coast, especially for beginners or anyone looking for a no-fuss adventure. But, before you throw on your pack and head out to the water, there are a few things you'll need to know.

We've covered everything, including each step to getting a permit, what type of bear canister you'll need, and how to avoid getting your tent full of seawater. Keep reading to plan your night on Washington's Second Beach.

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Getting To Olympic National Park's Second Beach

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Second Beach is near the small town of La Push, a Quileute village on the western edge of the Olympic Peninsula.

Most likely, you'll be coming here from Seattle, but there are some other much smaller cities nearby that can serve as a convenient base for exploring the general area.

The most direct driving route from Seattle-Tacoma Airport is just under four hours. If you're planning a full trip around Olympic National Park, you can expect a visit to Second Beach to be around the mid point.

While driving here, you'll pass all kinds of amazing spots including Lake Crescent and the Mount Storm King hike, Sol Duc, and even Cape Alava, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time.

Port Angeles is a popular stopping off point to see the northern end of the loop, though we personally found it quite run down and not very charming. It's a little over one hour from Second Beach.

Forks exists on the other end of the spectrum. It's a tiny little town, made famous by the Twilight series. While lacking in some areas, it makes up for it by brimming over with rustic charm and PNW vibes. It's also just 20 minutes away from the beaches of La Push.

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Parking

The main parking area for Second Beach is limited. It can fill quickly, so arriving early is recommended, especially during peak season. There is, however, an overflow lot just east of the main lot.

You'll actually reach the overflow lot entrance first, since La Push Road dead ends in the village and you have to approach from the east. Look for a gravel drive marked by a sign.

It's a narrow drive and the overflow lot is nothing more than grass and dirt. When full, it becomes pretty congested and getting in or out could be a little difficult, so drive slowly and pack an extra dose of patience.

From here, it’s a short walk to the Second Beach trailhead. There you'll also find trash cans and porta potties.

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Hiking Second Beach Trail

The Second Beach Trail is a pretty short hike - less than one mile each way - with minimal elevation gain.

It's truly one of the best beginner backpacking trips in the PNW, because you won't be carrying your pack very long or over much elevation, and the pay-off is fantastic.

The journey to get there ain't half bad either.

If you're a fan of the lush coastal forests in this corner of the United States, you're in for a treat.

The trail winds through some dense Sitka spruce and endless clusters of ferns for about three quarters of a mile, before reaching the beach. It's mostly well cleared, with timbers in place to create steps and help prevent erosion.

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As the trail meets the beach you'll descend more rapidly down the hillside. Here, the trail also becomes more narrow and you'll be squeezing through some overgrown bushes.

Emerging from the forest, you're greeted by a shore strewn with large pieces of driftwood, followed by a clear sandy beach, and then the iconic tree covered sea stacks rising out of the Pacific.

The trail spits you out toward the northern end of Second Beach, which is bounded by Quateata Head to the north and Teahwhit Head to the south. You can't get around these points, as they're both impassable and dangerous, even at low tide. Nevertheless, there's plenty of beach to stretch out on and you might find yourself wanting to walk the full length to take it all in and choose an ideal spot.

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Overnight Beach Camping

Camping on the beach is such a unique experience. You'll go to sleep to the rhythmic crashing of waves and wake to either a beautiful sunrise lighting the giant sea stacks, or a classic moody PNW morning with everything shrouded in mist.

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Tips & Things to Know

It's certainly one of the best spots for beach camping on the Washington coast and one of our favorite places to backpack. We've taken our first hand experience and condensed it all down into some helpful tips for you.

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How to Obtain a Permit

To camp on the beach in Olympic National Park wilderness, you'll need to obtain a permit.

The National Park Service has a pretty informative page about how to do this, but we'll cover the basic steps.

First, you need to visit the Recreation.gov page for Olympic Wilderness Permits. Choose 'Check Availability' and then select 'South Coast' as your starting area. Put in your group size and you should see upcoming availability.

Permits for the summer season (May 15th - October 15th) become available on April 15th.

Permits for the winter season (October 16th - May 14th) become available on September 15th.

Once you find a date with availability, you can select it and continue the booking process. Fees are $8 per adult, plus a non-refundable $6 reservation fee. So, if you have two people, you'll pay $22.

Three days before your reservation, the permit will be issued and you can log in to Recreation.gov to print it yourself. You can also stop by a Wilderness Information Center and pick the permit up in person.

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Bear Canisters & Storing Food

A bear canister is required for storing all your food, trash, and other scented items overnight and while your campsite is unattended.

Black bears are present along the Olympic coast, but they're not a safety hazard. They, and raccoons, will however, raid all your delicious trail snacks and backpacking meals if they get the chance. And not just in the middle of the night. They can actually be active 24 hours a day.

Canisters are available for loan from Wilderness Information Centers on a first come, first served basis, but it's possible they could run out. We've found that the Garcia brand the NPS loans are also a bit bulkier and heavier than our preferred canister: the BearVault 450. It's the perfect size for up to four days solo, or a weekend for two people.

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Where to Set Up Your Tent

The most important factor in pitching your tent is choosing a spot well above the high tide line.

As you'll see, many campers choose a nice dry spot among the larger pieces of driftwood. While walking down the full length of the beach, you'll see an especially broad collection of logs a little south of where the trail pops out. This is probably the most densely occupied area and you can use the driftwood to your advantage to block any wind.

In the soft sand, tent stakes can easily be pushed into the ground.

If you prefer a forested campsite you may be able to find a few previously used spots up in the trees, but the beach is bordered by a pretty steep hill, so they're not very flat.

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Campfires

Campfires are allowed on Second Beach, but should only be built on the sand, away from trees. You should also only use driftwood, which can be difficult to ignite, so make sure you pack some good fire starters.

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Drinking Water

There are two freshwater streams that flow into the ocean at Second Beach. The water here might be tea colored due to tannins leached from fallen leaves.

It's wise to pack in all your drinking water, but if you must collect it, just be sure to use a quality filter, since parasites like cryptosporidium and giardia are present.

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Leaving No Trace

As always, when enjoying our public lands, it's important to practice Leave No Trace principles.

In addition to what we've already mentioned, like storing everything in a bear canister, and carefully choosing your campfire site and fuel, here are a few other ways to help protect one of the best beaches on the Washington coast:

// Pack out all trash and waste. That includes food scraps and human waste.

// Leave everything how and where you found it. Shells and starfish aren't souvenirs. Folks don't want to see your initials carved into anything.

// Stay on the trail to and from the beach and avoid trampling plants.

// Respect other visitors. Keep noise down and don't blast loud music while others are trying to enjoy the natural setting.

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High Tide & Safety

Checking a tide chart before you head out can be helpful, but as long as you set up camp above the high tide line you'll stay dry.

The two headlands (rocks jutting out into the water) to the north and south of Second Beach are impassable. Even at low tide you can't get around them on foot, so don't attempt it.

Be careful when walking around on large pieces of driftwood, which could shift under you. Be especially careful on the rocky tidepools during low tide. A slip and fall here could lead to a nasty injury.

Lastly, stay safe if going in or near the water. Sneaker waves can come in unexpectedly and are overwhelmingly powerful. Similarly, logs and driftwood may float, but are extremely heavy and could knock you down or pin you under the water.

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The Weather at Second Beach & La Push, Washington

The Olympic peninsula has a unique climate and you can expect conditions to be somewhat unpredictable and variable. While traveling from one side of the park out to the coast, temperatures and rainfall can vary drastically.

The busiest time of year in Olympic is during the height of summer, when temperatures are warm but mild and most days are dry. Rain is still a constant possibility, along with afternoon thunderstorms, although those tend to happen inland and at higher elevations. Even on sunny days, coastal fog can linger well beyond the morning, adding a moody vibe to your camping experience.

Lower temps and an increase in rain brings thinner crowds during the fall. Rain and wind is more common, picking up rapidly by October.

While surprisingly mild for such a northern region, winter in Olympic is marked by rain. The coast can see more than 100 inches between November and April. Temperatures can sometimes drop below freezing.

Spring is especially unpredictable, but temperatures in La Push average in the 40s (5-10 C). Rainfall is still common, but tapers off heading into summer.

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What To Pack

Here are some recommendations on what we would bring to Second Beach whether we were just hiking out for the day, or for an overnight trip.

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For a Day Trip

Sturdy hiking boots | Though the beach might not feel like the place for them, you'll be glad you wore a good pair of hiking boots or shoes along the trail to the beach and when navigating driftwood and slippery tide pools.

Drinking water | Bring along an eco-friendly reusable water bottle or hydration bladder in your daypack.

Trail snacks | Something to keep energy up and enjoy while taking in the views.

Camera | So you can capture those stunning sea stacks and tide pools.

Rain jacket | A waterproof shell, just in case of a drizzle and to block out some of the cool coastal breeze.

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For a Backpacking Trip

All of the above | Plus the 10 essentials.

Tent and sleeping gear | We love our lightweight Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 and Sea to Summit sleeping pads.

Bear canister | We've covered this plenty, but they're a requirement.

Camp stove | And fuel, or an all-in-one solution like the Jetboil Flash system.

Packable towels | Our favorites are quick drying and very compact.

Extra layers | Including an insulated hoody for chilly nights.

Waterproof gear | It doesn't hurt to pack a few dry bags, just for the extra security.

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Common Questions about Second Beach

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When is the best time to go?

Summer is arguably the best time to spend a night on Second Beach. The temperatures are warmer and rain is least likely however, it will be the busiest season. Planning your trip for late spring or early fall can help avoid the crowds.

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How long is the hike?

It's a short and easy hike from the parking area to Second Beach - only 0.7 miles. All told, you should plan to walk at least 2 miles round-trip, including some time to explore the beach.

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Do you need a permit?

Yes, for overnight camping on Second Beach you'll need an Olympic National Park wilderness permit. These are easy to reserve online through Recreation.gov and we've outlined the full steps above.

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What are the best things to do at Second Beach?

Camp out for the night. Enjoy a stunning Olympic coast sunset. Have a fire and go to sleep to the sound of crashing waves.

Take a walk along the beach, exploring wildlife in the tide pools and getting a close up view of the sea stacks during low tide.

Just kick back, relax, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the ocean. Bring a book and have a peaceful afternoon reading.

Also, don't miss out on the other beaches in the area. Rialto Beach, as well as First and Third Beach are just a short drive away and they each have their own unique appeal.

Ruby Beach is a bit further, about an hour south, but is worth the stop, especially if you're already heading down toward Quinault and Hoh Rainforest.

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Where Can You Eat Near the La Push Beaches?

A backpacking meal while camping under the stars obviously has its appeal, but after getting back from your adventure you'll probably want something simple and satisfying.

The Salty Heifers Burger Shack serves up delicious food just down the road in La Push, from a lot with a great view of James Island.

Head inland a bit to Forks for wider variety. We can personally recommend Pacific Pizza for a classic pie, or the Native American frybread over at Longhouse Cafe.

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