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National Parks / Olympic National Park

Shi Shi Beach – Washington’s Must-See Coastal Hike

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by

Sam
A tide pool near the base of rocky sea stacks shows a small rainbow forming in the mist, with waves lapping at barnacle-covered rocks under a bright blue sky at Shi Shi Beach WA.

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Once you make your way through the forest, trudge through the mud, and descend a steep slope, you’ll understand why hiking to Shi Shi Beach (pronounced shy shy) is one of the most memorable hikes we’ve ever done.

Shi Shi Beach is tucked into the northwestern coast of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, about an hour south of Cape Flattery. And after a short 2-mile hike (4-miles out and back) through the forest and mud, you’ll arrive at a stunning stretch of beach that runs for two and a half miles along the coast.

Wide panoramic shot of Shi Shi Beach showing calm tidepools and seaweed-covered rocks stretching to the ocean, bordered by forested cliffs and a slightly overcast sky meeting the horizon.
Panoramas are where Shi Shi Beach really shines

How to Get to Shi Shi Beach

Reaching Shi Shi Beach takes a bit of a drive and a short hike—but that’s part of what makes it feel so remote and peaceful. We stayed in Sekiu while exploring the northwest corner of Washington, and it took about an hour (roughly 24 miles) to reach the Shi Shi Beach trailhead.

If you’re looking for a place to stay near Shi Shi Beach, check out hotels around Sekiu and Neah Bay.

A hiker with a backpack crosses a rustic wooden bridge surrounded by lush green forest, dappled in sunlight filtering through tall evergreen trees along Shi Shi Beach trail.
Just getting started on the trail to Shi Shi Beach

You’ll drive through and hike on the Makah Tribal Reservation which means that you must purchase a Makah Recreation Pass before parking at the trailhead and beginning the hike. It’s $20 per vehicle and good for the entire year which can be picked up at the Makah Marina, Museum, Mini Mart, Tribal Center, or Hobuck Beach Resort.

If you want to learn more about the Makah culture, we’d recommend stopping at the Makah Culture and Research Center. Their self-guided tour was an incredible introduction to the tribe’s history, culture and way of life—it added so much depth to our time on the reservation.

And since Shi Shi Beach is in Olympic National Park, you will also need a National Park entrance pass.

🐾 Heads Up: Dogs aren’t allowed on this trail. Ours stayed back at the Airbnb, happily snoozing in the AC (check out our Airbnb & Hotel safety tips for leaving pups behind if you’re doing the same).

Once you’ve got your pass and permit, the drive to the trailhead is pretty straightforward. Just be aware: the day-use parking lot is tiny—maybe 10 cars, max. There’s no overnight parking allowed here (if you’re camping, there’s a separate lot for that.

We ended up parking along the side of the road, and as we were pulling in, someone else was getting ticketed for parking in a clearly marked no-parking zone. So yeah—definitely double-check the signs before you leave your car.

If you’re curious about the weather at Shi Shi Beach, we’ve got you covered. The 7-day forecast below is for Neah Bay, which is nearby and gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect during your visit.

Neah Bay Weather

Hiking the Shi Shi Beach Trail

This trail? Muddy. Like, six-inches-deep-in-some-spots muddy. Even in early August, we were dodging puddles and tiptoeing around swampy sections just to keep moving. There’s a clear trail from point A to point B—but the mud means you’ll see a ton of social trails (unofficial side paths) branching off. Some help you avoid the mess. Others just lead to… more mud.

A muddy Shi Shi Beach trail winds through a dense forest, with tree branches casting shadows over the wet ground and green foliage lining both sides of the path in Washington.
Expect a few muddy sections to maneuver through

The entire hike is under tree cover until you reach the beach, which is great for shade, but it also means things stay damp. If you’re visiting in spring or summer, don’t expect it to be dry. Definitely wear shoes you’re okay getting filthy (and maybe bring a backup pair for the drive back).

Shi Shi Beach Hike Distances:

  • Trailhead to Shi Shi Beach: 2.15 miles each way (4.3 miles round trip)
  • Trailhead to Point of the Arches: 4.4 miles each way (8.8 miles round trip)

If you’re heading all the way to Point of Arches, you’ll keep walking down the beach after reaching Shi Shi. It’s an out-and-back trail either way, so just make sure you’re up for the return trip.

Loading AllTrails Map…

Right at the end of the 2-mile trail, there’s a steep (150-foot descent) downhill stretch—and then a lone port-o-potty. We really can’t sugarcoat it: it was rough. Hot weather, humidity and no airflow lead to a very fly-filled experience. It wasn’t exactly a highlight, but if you gotta go, you gotta go.

View from a forested trail leading down 150 feet to Shi Shi Beach, with a wooden handrail in the foreground, dappled sunlight filtering through tall evergreens, and a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean in the distance.
The final stretch: a 150-foot descent to the beach

We saw old buoys hanging in the trees as we walked along the coast, marking wooded campsites, but you can also camp along the beach.

Once we hit the sand, I kicked off my shoes… and immediately regretted it. That sand was hot. Like, run-across-it-whispering-a-panicked “hot, hot, hot” under my breath kind of hot.

And yes—I jumped in the ocean. I had joked with Minerva that I wanted to jump into the water at Cape Flattery, the northwestern-most point in the contiguous U.S., but since you can’t do that there, I figured Shi Shi was the next best thing. (Though if you’re planning something similar, Hobuck Beach is technically closer to Cape Flattery than Shi Shi is.)

A person stands waist-deep in foamy ocean waves at Shi Shi Beach Washington under a clear blue sky streaked with wispy clouds, enjoying the surf on a sunny day.
There one second
Pacific Ocean waves crest along Shi Shi Beach Washington. The sky is blue and full of wispy clouds. Frothy ocean water is pushed up onto the sand.
Almost toppled the other

It was a sunny day, and the ocean looked inviting… but looks can be deceiving. That water was freezing and the waves were intense. A few steps in and I was already being shoved around by the current.

We had originally planned to hike farther south along the beach to Point of Arches, which is known for its beautiful sea stacks and natural arches (about 2 miles past where we stopped), but with no dogs allowed and a long drive ahead, we decided against it. Instead, we wandered north along the beach and stumbled across some incredible tide pools filled with sea life—anemones, starfish, sea urchins, and some kind of clam or shellfish.

The beach itself? Absolutely stunning. Between the sea stacks, driftwood, and rugged coastline, it reminded us a lot of Ruby Beach—but with even fewer people around. Totally worth the muddy adventure.

A close-up of a purple sea star clings to a rock covered in barnacles and seaweed in a tidepool at Shi Shi Beach WA, with jagged sea stacks and gentle waves in the background under a bright blue sky.
Clear tide pool at Shi Shi Beach filled with smooth pebbles, purple seaweed, and a vivid green sea anemone nestled among rocks, all visible beneath the reflective surface of the water.
Panoramic view of Shi Shi Beach's rocky shoreline and tidepools, with dramatic sea stacks jutting into the Pacific Ocean and waves splashing against the textured rocks under a clear sky.
A small tidepool with a flat rock covered in algae and a single sea urchin, surrounded by clear water, pebbles, and patches of brown and green seaweed.
A small sand flea or beach hopper with red antennae sits on a mound of fine, gray sand under bright sunlight, creating a soft texture across the beach surface at Shi Shi Beach WA.
A close-up of black mussels and barnacles tightly clustered on a rocky shoreline, speckled with yellowish seaweed, with the ocean and tidepools blurred in the distance under a blue sky.
Golden-brown seaweed clusters cover a tidepool rock at Shi Shi Beach, glistening in the sunlight as waves roll in behind it, framed by rugged sea stacks and a vibrant blue sky.
A bright orange starfish rests beneath the clear, shallow water of a tidepool, surrounded by smooth green stones and floating bits of sea foam, with barnacle-covered rock and seaweed in the foreground.
A person wades through a shallow tide pool at Shi Shi Beach in Washington, surrounded by rugged seaweed-covered rocks and driftwood. The sky is clear with wispy clouds, and a large, uniquely shaped rock formation rises in the background near the crashing Pacific waves. Footprints dot the wet sand, hinting at recent beachcombing activity.

Best Time to Visit Shi Shi Beach

Shi Shi Beach is open year-round, but summer is when it sees the most foot traffic. Some hikers even set up tents along the beach—so don’t be surprised if it’s a little more crowded (especially on sunny weekends). If you’re hoping for a quieter visit, fall can be a great time to go. The weather’s still fairly mild, and the crowds start to thin out. Just keep in mind that it can get wet and muddy no matter when you go—so pack accordingly.

We hike.
We road trip.
We get muddy.

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    What to Pack & Know Before You Go

    This hike is beautiful—but it’s also remote. Cell service is spotty, there are no water refill stations, and there is plenty of mud. So come prepared.

    A sign at the Shi Shi Beach Trailhead which reads, "Welcome to the Makah Tribe's Shi Shi Beach Trail". Which then gives information about the trail. Hiker's experience is written on the sign.
    Welcome sign at the Makah Tribe’s Shi Shi Beach Trail

    Here’s what we’d recommend:

    • Water & snacks: Especially if you plan to hang out on the beach or hike farther to Point of Arches.
    • Good shoes: Ones you don’t mind getting covered in mud.
    • Hiking poles: It’s easier to dodge puddles of mud when you have support.
    • Tide chart: Super important if you’re exploring near the rocks or tide pools.
    • Sun protection: That shaded forest won’t help you once you hit the beach.
    • Backup socks or sandals: Your feet will thank you.
    • Leave a trip plan: Let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to be back.

    And keep in mind: no dogs are allowed on the trail, and there are no trash cans—so be ready to pack everything out. If you’re looking for more gear recommendations, check out what we use for all of our adventures.

    Final Thoughts

    Shi Shi Beach feels like one of those experiences you earn. The muddy hike, the remote trailhead, the steep drop to the beach—it all adds up to an experience that’s a little gritty, a little challenging, yet unforgettable.

    Wide view of Shi Shi Beach in Washington featuring driftwood logs scattered across dark sand, with two people sitting near the shoreline and sea stacks from the Point of Arches rising in the distance beneath a partly cloudy blue sky.
    Point of Arches from a distance, and still a stunner

    Between the dramatic coastline, the sea stacks, and the peaceful vibe, it’s the kind of place that sticks with you. If you’re up for the mud and the miles, it’s absolutely worth the trip.

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