Shi Shi Beach

Shi Shi Beach is hike-in only. Drive to the Makah Reservation trailhead near Neah Bay — the hike takes roughly 60 minutes each way through coastal forest. Day-use parking at the trailhead requires a Makah Recreation Pass (annual fee, approximately $10 USD); overnight visitors must also arrange paid parking at a private lot near the trailhead. Two separate permits are required: the Makah Recreation Pass for crossing tribal land, and an Olympic National Park wilderness permit ($8 per person per night plus a $6 per-permit fee) for overnight stays on the beach — youth 15 and under are exempt from the ONP wilderness permit fee. Book the ONP permit in advance; the reservation system is active through 2026.

The tide pool complex at Point of the Arches is the headline act — time your visit to a low tide and pick your way carefully among the sea stacks. About 14 km away, Cape Flattery offers dramatic sea cave views from a short boardwalk trail at the northwesternmost point of the contiguous US, and it's worth pairing with a visit to the Makah Cultural and Research Center in Neah Bay (12 km), which houses extraordinary artifacts from the 500-year-old Ozette archaeological site. If you have an extra afternoon, the Wedding Rock Petroglyphs at 12.7 km are a quiet and historically rich detour.

There are no food services at Shi Shi Beach — pack everything in and pack everything out. The nearest option is Linda's Wood Fired Kitchen, about 12.8 km from the trailhead. Stock up on supplies in Neah Bay before you head out; it's the last services point before the trail.

Most visitors base themselves near Neah Bay. Hobuck Beach Resort (9 km, 4.5/5 across 461 reviews) is the area's most established option and also offers South Cabins a little closer at 8.4 km. For a more laid-back setup, Hide Away RV Park (8.8 km, 4.5/5) and Sandy Feet Cabins and Camping (9 km, 5/5) round out the choices — all within easy driving distance of the trailhead.

The Point of the Arches frames extraordinary shots at low tide, especially in the soft light of early morning when mist lingers over the grey water and dark sand. For wide-angle compositions of the full two-mile sand arc, shoot from the forest edge where the trail first opens onto the beach — the contrast between the tree line and the open Pacific is stark and compelling.

You must carry both a Makah Recreation Pass and an ONP wilderness permit before you set foot on the trail — rangers check both. No pets are allowed anywhere on the trail or beach. Overnight campers are required to carry a bear canister; campfires are only permitted in designated areas, and Leave No Trace principles apply strictly. Sneaker waves strike without warning on this exposed beach — do not approach the waterline casually, and never turn your back on the surf. The Point of the Arches and tide pools are only safely accessible at low tide, so download tide tables before you leave, because there is no cell service here. Filter or boil all water from coastal streams — cryptosporidium and giardia are present. The trail becomes muddy and slippery in the wet season, and coastal stream crossings can become impassable during heavy rain or high surf.