Shi Shi Beach
Shi Shi Beach: From Trail to Tides and Sea Stacks.
These are our photos of the Shi Shi Beach Trail beginning in Neah Bay, wandering through two miles of temperate rain forest to Shi Shi's sandy crescent beach, and the additional two miles southward to the sea stacks known as the Point of Arches.
Trail to Shi Shi Beach
Below: Because of the reliable amounts of rainfall every year (at least 100 inches {2.54 m} per year), the trail from Neah Bay to Shi Shi Beach needs some "help" in areas that are consistently puddled or slippery. These photos, taken in August which is the season of least rain, still reveal a damp muddy trail with log rings as stepping stones, and a boardwalk on which moss is thriving in areas not continually trodden.
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Getting to Shi Shi Beach
Shi Shi Beach is about 77.5 miles (125 km) west of Port Angeles WA, a drive of about 2 hours 15 minutes.
Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park
If Port Angeles is not your starting point, then:
- Forks WA is 56 miles south (90 km), a drive of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Aberdeen WA is 163 miles south (262 km), a drive of about 3.5 hours.
Makah Recreation Pass Required
The trail to Shi Shi begins on Makah Reservation land, before entering the Olympic National Park. For this reason, a Makah Recreation Pass is required in order to park at the trailhead and hike the trail to Shi Shi Beach.
The Makah Nation website provides directions to the Shi Shi beach trailhead parking area.
A deserted Shi Shi Beach at 5 o'clock AM, Olympic National Park. Photo by Ed Hogle, used with permission.Photo above: Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches during a 2019 overnight camping trip.
Photo Credit and Thanks to: Ed Hogle.
Shi Shi Beach
Below: An elevated view of this string of sea stacks is likely to be your first introduction to Shi Shi Beach. Watch for a turnout along the trail to a viewpoint overlooking the beach, sea stacks, and Pacific Ocean. I arrived here in mid-morning; the tide was low.
A friend and I hiked the 2 miles to Point of Arches, ate sack lunches, and hiked back. What an experience! What beauty in the nature-carved rocks and diverse formations, in the tide pools, and in the multiple species of sea birds. I'll be back for sure, and will not hesitate to capture even more digital memories.
The photos that follow begin at the point where the trail meets the sand, and then follow, more or less, our trek south along Shi Shi Beach to Point of the Arches.
Above: This is the same view of Shi Shi Beach as that of the first beach photo above. A few hours can make a big difference in the tide! This is why they tell you to carry a watch and tide tables.
It was a great day. With eight miles under our belts, we headed back to Neah Bay and then home to Port Angeles Washington.
More info about Shi Shi Beach wilderness on the Olympic National Park website.
Sunset over Point of the Arches at Shi Shi Beach. Photo by Ed Hogle. Used with permission.Photo above: Sunset behind Point of the Arches - a beautiful end to a wonderful day.
Photo Credit and Thanks to: Ed Hogle.
Enjoy your own visit to Shi Shi Beach, and then let us know how you enjoyed it!
Do You Have Your Own Story or Photos of Shi Shi Beach?
Do you have a great story or exceptional photos about Shi Shi Beach in the Olympic National Park? Have you visited the beach? Hiked to Point of Arches? Camped at Shi Shi Beach? Share it! (We're happy to ensure professional and amateur photographers get credit for their work! We can do this if you leave us your name and online website or FB page info.)
More Pages You Might Enjoy
Olympic National Park Beaches in Washington State
Olympic National Park Beaches: Descriptions and photos of the impressive beaches in the Olympic National Park, not too far from Port Angeles WA, and tide table links
Olympic National Park Camping: 14 ONP Campgrounds
Olympic National Park Camping: Details on 14 campgrounds in the Olympic National Park, and links to additional status, access, and updates on conditions
Lake Crescent WA near Port Angeles in Olympic National Park
Lake Crescent WA: Beauty, history, details such as hiking, camping, boating in the Lake Crescent area of Olympic National Park near Port Angeles, WA
Click for Events, Festivals, Cultural Activities in Port Angeles and The Olympic Peninsula!
Click the Pic and See the Beautiful Photography of Our Featured Photographic Artist, Roger Mosley.
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