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Olympic Coast Trail Permit wilderness permit area in Olympic National Park - backcountry hiking destination
ReservationThru-HikeHigh Demand

Olympic Coast Trail Permit

Olympic National Park

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.”

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Be notified instantly when Olympic Coast permits become available.

Demand
High
8/10
Method
Reservation
Cost
$8/person/night + $20 Makah Pass (if using Shi Shi)
Booking Method
First-Come, First-Served

Olympic Coast Quick Facts

Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh8/10
Cost$8/person/night + $20 Makah Pass (if using Shi Shi)
Max Group Size12 people

Key Information

Permit Details

TypeThru-Hike
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level8/10
LocationNPS

What to Expect

Route Details

Distance
35 miles
Elevation Gain
3,000 ft
Route Type
Point to Point
Duration
4-5 days
Difficulty
Strenuous
0

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

1

Create a Recreation.gov account

Sign up at recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.

2

Know the release schedule

Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.

3

Be ready when permits drop

Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.

4

Monitor for cancellations

If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Apply at Recreation.gov
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Best booking timesCancellation huntingRecreation.gov tips

When to Go

Peak: AugustShoulder: Late September for larch color

Conditions

Warmest and driest season. Snow-free at most elevations by late July.

Crowd Level

High

Advantages

  • +Best weather
  • +Snow-free travel
  • +Long days

Challenges

  • !Bugs in early season
  • !Crowded popular trails
  • !Permit demand peaks

Difficulty Assessment

Physical Demand4/5

Fitness and endurance required

Technical Skill3/5

Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills

Exposure Risk4/5

Steep dropoffs and fall potential

Navigation4/5

Route finding and trail clarity

Commitment4/5

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

Plan Your Trip

🎒

Gear Checklist

Required and recommended gear for Olympic Coast

🚐

Shuttle Services

Trailhead transportation options

Browse all shuttles
🧭

Guide Services

Experienced wilderness guides

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Key Landmarks

↑
3,000ft
Gain
↓
3,000ft
Loss
⛰️
350ft
High
📏
34.0mi
Distance
📐
0.1%
Avg Grade
Click on a marker to view details•6 landmarks

Landmarks (6)

Safety & Planning

🚨

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Olympic Coast. Sign up to track this permit.

🐻

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit. Sign up to track this permit.

12,453 permits and 8,294 campsites secured by PermitSnag users

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 2-3 minutes, 24/7.

👥Community

Trail Conditions

Questions

Trip Reports

Write Report

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

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