Enchanted Valley via East Fork Quinault River
1 week ago
Fall color is stunning, valley teeming with yellows and reds
3 this month · 41 reports
Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches
Olympic Peninsula
updated 5 days ago
The trail to Shi Shi Beach is predominantly characterized by significant muddy sections, particularly in the latter half of the forest portion, as reported by multiple visitors throughout the summer. While some users managed to skirt the worst of it via social trails or by "trudging through," it is not a trail to attempt in casual footwear. The boardwalk sections are present in the initial part of the trail, but give way to challenging mud. Past the initial forest hike, beach access is via stairs with a railing. Once on the beach, navigating towards Point of the Arches is generally straightforward, though some report overgrown sections and downed trees on routes beyond the main beach area, especially when heading north past the Arches. Tide pool viewing around Point of the Arches is a highlight, with starfish and anemones noted. Parking and camping fees are also a consideration.
Generated from 41 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 5 days ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
Recent reports from September 20, 2026, indicate the trail is muddy and wet. However, users have also noted the existence of user paths skirting larger muddy areas. This suggests that while mud is present, it might be manageable or avoidable in places.
All trip reports from June 24, 2026, to September 20, 2026, state that the road is suitable for all vehicles. No issues with potholes or other obstacles have been mentioned recently.
Reports from August 27, 2026, mention trees down across the trail and overgrown sections, particularly on the North Coast Route past Point of the Arches. Some of these obstacles were described as needing to be squatted under or stepped over.
A report from August 27, 2026, indicates overnight parking costs $20 per night, cash-only and paid via a lockbox. Another report from July 29, 2026, suggests permits are easily obtainable online, though the parking payment process is described as 'scout around the house'.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
This was our first visit here, wonderful place. The shorter, forested portion goes by quick. We noticed many user paths skirting the larger wide muddy areas of the main trail.The stairs/switchbacks do...
Recent4 weeks ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
I’ve been interested in beach camping at Shi Shi for years, and it was just as beautiful as I hoped. We started hiking shortly after noon on a Thursday and camped for 2 nights. Overnight parking is $2...
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
A group of six, going for 3 days/2 nights at Shi Shi beach, with day hike south past Point of Arches as far as we could get/wanted to go. We arrived to the Shi Shi trailhead about 1630 on Thursday - l...
Older1 month ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
We had a great family trip yesterday on our first outing to Shi Shi beach and Point of Arches. The trail is fairly flat compared to the ones we do near home on Mt Loop, but still had an overall downhi...
Older1 month ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
The forest portion of the trail was well maintained and the muddy sections were not overbearing. I was able to get in and out without sinking above the toe of my boots. Outhouses were in good conditio...
Older1 month ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
Trail: muddy and wet! As many others have recently pointed out the trail is extremely muddy and the boardwalk is slick with a few board on each section a little loose.Despite the mud the trail is easy...
Older1 month ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
My friend and I adjusted our timing to camp 2 nights between rains. After the pleasant board walk we got to the mucky mud. Although we took a couple of side trails around the worst (more than about 3 ...
Older1 month ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
After a quick visit to Cape Flattery Tuesday, our Wednesday goal was to hike to Shi Shi Beach.The trail started out very nicely, with walkways for the first part of the route.After about a quarter mil...
Older2 months ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
The hike that compelled me to write my first trip report in ten years (!) is best summarized by author Michael Rosen in the classic children's bookWe're Going on a Bear Hunt:"Oh no, mud! Thick, oozy m...
Older2 months ago
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
We camped two nights to take advantage of the low tide window and do some tidepool exploring around the Arches. This is a real high reward, low effort adventure! Mud was not bad at all and easily avoi...