Second Beach in Olympic National Park offers Washington’s most dramatic camping: sea stacks, tide pools, driftwood, and rainy-day mystery.
I have walked plenty of Pacific shorelines, but Second Beach still feels like the moment Washington stops pretending to be ordinary. Sea stacks rise from the surf like ancient monuments, driftwood piles up in silver tangles, and tide pools pulse with life. For a camper chasing drama, solitude, and a little bit of mystery, this stretch of Olympic National Park is hard to beat. Is it worth the four-hour drive from Seattle? I think so, especially if you time the trip for the coast’s finicky weather and pack for rain rather than run from it.
Why Second Beach Still Wins in 2026
Second Beach is arguably the most beautiful beach in Washington, and I do not use that phrase lightly. The landscape feels almost otherworldly: enormous rocks appear to rise out of the ocean without explanation, tide pools teem with marine life, and oversized pieces of driftwood make every walk feel like a scavenger hunt. For many campers, this is exactly what a night on the coast should be. The name might imply that there was a first beach, but when it comes to the best Washington beach to camp at, this coastline has it all.
I also appreciate that Second Beach does not reveal itself instantly. It is part of Olympic National Park, so a short hike is expected. That approach is part of the appeal. Even though the beach is well known, the trail keeps it feeling secluded. Who wouldn’t want to wake up to a landscape that looks as if it belongs on another planet?
The Drive: Four Hours, Two Good Routes
From Seattle, Second Beach is about four hours away. That makes it a long day drive for travelers who are not staying nearby, but I would still call it worthwhile for the experience alone. This remote, secluded section of the coastline is truly breathtaking, especially for campers who can match their visit to Washington’s finicky weather. A little rain or fog should not stop anyone. In fact, I think the beach is even more mysterious and dramatic when the sun is not shining.
There are two main ways to get there. One option is the Seattle to Bainbridge ferry route, which covers almost half the miles of the second route and can include stops in Port Angeles and Hurricane Ridge if those interest you. The second route is a straight-through drive from Seattle through Tacoma and Olympia before eventually reaching Forks. That route adds about 20 minutes and roughly 80 miles to the journey. I would choose based on whether I want a faster miles-on-pavement day or a more scenic ferry-and-ridge day.
The Hike In: Short, Easy, and Worth It
Arriving at Second Beach does not automatically put visitors on the sand. The Washington Trails Association guide makes the route clear enough: just outside La Push, visitors find a parking lot where the journey begins. If that lot is full, there is another lot to the east that can be used when parking is scarce. From the lot, hikers start due west and head down to a hurricane fence, past the entry point for the Lonesome Creek Hatchery. Continuing on, hikers soon pass a kiosk that is likely covered in moss, which leads to a creek that needs to be crossed before a brief ascent brings them back up the same trail.
For 0.3 miles, the trail continues and becomes more defined, making it much easier to follow. At the end, wooden stairs bring hikers to a switchback that eventually guides them down to the sands of Second Beach. The total distance is 0.7 miles, and the difficulty is easy. I would still wear proper shoes and carry rain gear, because coastal weather can change quickly.
| Trip Snapshot | Details |
|---|---|
| Drive from Seattle | About 4 hours |
| Trail to the sand | 0.7 miles, easy |
| Camping | Permit and reservation required |
| Booking window | Up to six months ahead |
| Best mood | Fog, rain, or sun |
Camping: Easy Process, Early Planning
Those visiting Second Beach with the intention of camping there will be happy to know that the process is fairly easy. Campers need to obtain a permit and a reservation through the federal recreation booking portal. There, campers can also check availability, review guidelines specific to Second Beach, and access their accounts to print permits. I would book early. Reservations become available six months beforehand, and from June through October the same system also handles bookings for several other Olympic backcountry areas, including Seven Lake Basin/High Divide, Glacier Meadows/Elk Lake, Grand Valley, Royal Basin, Lake Constance, Upper Lena Lake, and Flapjack Lakes.
So, is Second Beach the right campground for every traveler? No. It is not a resort, and it is not a quick roadside stop. But for campers who want tide pools, sea stacks, driftwood, and a shoreline that feels raw and remote, I would put it near the top of the 2026 list. Bring layers, respect the rules, and let the fog do what it does. The coast will handle the rest. 🌊