Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches
The trail is a mud patch past the forest
1 this month · 42 reports
Olympic Peninsula
The trail to Third Beach is in good condition, with no snow or bugs reported as of September 19. Recent improvements have been made to the inland trail sections, making them easier to navigate, according to a report from September 5. However, hikers should be aware of multiple rope ladders on the way to the Taylor Trail, as noted on September 19. Tidal restrictions are present, particularly at the end of the trail and near Scott's Bluff, requiring careful timing or alternative routes. Parking at the Third Beach trailhead is a significant issue, with limited spots despite increasing popularity, as highlighted on September 5.
Generated from 11 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 month ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 1 month, so everything below is at least that old.
The rope ladders are in great condition, with four or five of them noted as of September 19. Hikers should be prepared for their presence.
Tidal restrictions are present, particularly at the end of the trail and near Scott's Bluff, which may require alternative routes or careful timing according to September 19. The trail up to Scott's Bluff is described as a mudslide with a rope, and can be slippery.
Parking at the Third Beach trailhead is a persistent problem, with a limited number of spots for a popular area, as reported on September 5. It is suggested that the parking capacity has not kept pace with the increasing number of visitors over the years.
Recent wildlife sightings include seals sunbathing in the distance, an otter, two herons, various birds, jellyfish, and anemones, as noted on September 19.
The trail is a mud patch past the forest
1 this month · 42 reports
Muddy trail and big steps await you
1 this month · 25 reports
Fall colors are stunning, meadow trails are puddles
43 reports
Rope ladder with broken rungs
34 reports
Boardwalks are in rough shape
30 reports
Golden leaves and fungi bursting forth
26 reports
Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Day 1: My sister and I spent 3 days, two nights out on the south coast trail. Trail started out nice and gentle, with that first mile and a half being pretty chill until the very end there was a short...
Beautiful trail conditions. We've done parts of the South Coast several times including Third Beach to Toleak several years ago. This time I was solo with my 11 year old and we stayed at Third Beach j...
My six-year-old and I managed a make-up backpacking trip last weekend, having gotten “smoked out” the week before. We snagged a permit for Third Beach and drove a looong way up into the Olympic Penins...
What was going to be a standard two night backpack on this gorgeous stretch of wild coast turned into a one nighter when weather moved in on 7.2. We spent the first (and only) night at Strawberry Poin...
The Third Beach trailhead parking lot was full when we arrived around 10AM and there were many people hiking in and out, so I recommend arriving a little earlier. We hiked first to Strawberry Point fo...
Just an FYI, as of April 2026 the parking lot for Second Beach is closed for major improvements. If you continue into La Push, stop at first store on the left and for $10 you can park there. It's a .5...
Got to Third Beach trailhead around 7:30pm and made it to the beach just after sundown. With light fading I plopped down at the first decent campsite that wasn't occupied and spent my first night at T...
We had a great hike from Third Beach south to Taylor Point today. The parking area was 3/4 full when we pulled in at 9:30. It was fog laden air and in the upper 50’s. This was a first foray into hikin...
North to South. Started in snow at the parking lot for third beach, upon returning to car days later snow was mostly gone. The first few overland trails are in fairly good condition. One night at Tole...
Highly suggest visiting this beach at low tide! I’ve never seen so many sea stars. It is a bit of a hike down to the beach - meaning a haul uphill on the way out. The trail is in good condition. Well-...