Olympic Coast Trail Permit
73-mile wilderness beach traverse along Washington's wildest coastline, from Shi Shi Beach to the Hoh River, with sea stacks, tide pools, and rainforest headlands.
“Walk one of America's wildest coastlines where tide tables replace trail maps and sea stacks rise from the mist like ancient sentinels.”
Get Availability Alerts
Be notified instantly when Olympic Coast permits become available due to cancellations.
Get Availability Alerts
Be notified instantly when Olympic Coast permits become available.
Olympic Coast Quick Facts
Key Information
Permit Details
What to Expect
Route Details
Highlights
- •Beach walking on sand, cobble, and slippery kelp
- •Multiple headland crossings with fixed ropes
- •Tide-dependent passages requiring careful timing
- •River crossings including the Ozette River
Best Time to Visit
June through September offers the driest weather. July and August have the longest daylight for tide timing.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Tidal headlands can trap hikers against cliffs
- !Slippery rocks and kelp
- !Hypothermia risk from wet conditions
- !Rogue waves can sweep beaches
- !No cell service for most of the route
How to Get This Permit
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
When to Go
Conditions
Warmest and driest season. Snow-free at most elevations by late July.
Crowd Level
HighAdvantages
- +Best weather
- +Snow-free travel
- +Long days
Challenges
- !Bugs in early season
- !Crowded popular trails
- !Permit demand peaks
Difficulty Assessment
Fitness and endurance required
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Route finding and trail clarity
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Experienced backpackers comfortable with challenging terrain and variable conditions. Must be able to read tide charts and make time-critical decisions.
Recommended Experience
Should have multi-day backpacking experience in wet conditions. Coastal hiking experience helpful.
Not Recommended For
Beginners, those uncomfortable with uncertainty, anyone unable to maintain a tide-dependent schedule.
About This Permit
The Olympic Coast Trail offers a wilderness beach experience unlike any other in America. This 35-mile journey traverses one of the most pristine coastlines where tide charts replace traditional trail maps.
The Experience
Why It Matters
The Olympic Coast remains one of the most pristine stretches of Pacific coastline in the lower 48, protected as both wilderness and marine sanctuary.
The Route
The North Coast route begins at Shi Shi Beach, descending through coastal forest to one of Washington's most beautiful beaches. Point of the Arches greets you with a maze of sea stacks before the route turns south through headland scrambles and tide-dependent passages.
The Feeling
Salt spray stings your face as you scramble over slippery boulders, watching the tide charts like your life depends on it—because sometimes it does. At camp, the sunset paints sea stacks gold while bald eagles patrol overhead.
Rules & Regulations
- •Wilderness permit required year-round
- •Makah Recreation Pass required for Shi Shi
- •Bear canisters required
- •Campfires only below high tide line
- •Group size limited to 12
Gear Checklist
Required
- Current tide table (printed)
- Bear canister
- Water filter
- Waterproof boots with aggressive tread
- Rain gear
Key Landmarks
Landmarks (6)
Safety & Planning
Emergency Info
Download the PermitSnag app for offline access to emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Olympic Coast.
Food Storage
Check bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations in the PermitSnag app.
Olympic Coast FAQ
How do I get a Olympic Coast permit?
Olympic Coast permits are obtained through a reservation system. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.
When is the best time to visit Olympic Coast?
Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Olympic Coast permit?
This permit has a demand score of 8/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
What if I can't get a Olympic Coast permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.
Photography Guide
Golden Hour
Sunset at Point of the Arches creates silhouettes of sea stacks against orange skies.
Best Light
Overcast days produce excellent conditions—fewer harsh shadows and more saturated colors.
Beat the Crowds
Mid-week trips in shoulder season (May, late September) offer near-solitude.
Classic Shots
- 📍Point of the Arches with sunset light
- 📍Sea stacks in morning mist
- 📍Hole-in-the-Wall arch at low tide
- 📍Bald eagles on driftwood