The 3 Best Beach Backpacking Trails in the Pacific Northwest

Beach backpacking offers a blissful combination of adventure in an ever-changing environment and inner meditation you won’t find anywhere else. Nothing compares to millions of small pebbles massaging your bare feet along the coastline or the moment your daily thoughts drift away with the mist of a salty breeze and the sound of crashing waves. The endless galaxy of stars decorating the night sky entertains and compels a peaceful state of mind. Experience it for yourself on these three beach backpacking trails along the Pacific Northwest coastline.

Best for First-Timers: North Coast Route, Olympic National Park, Washington

• Distance: 15 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Pros: Massive sandy beaches, lush greenery and forests, rocky headlands
• Cons: Extremely popular, late summer fresh water sources can be tricky to find in certain camps

The North Coast Route is a great introduction to beach backpacking. It has all the key elements of a great beach hike—miles of sand to navigate, raging surf, glorious big trees, and head-spinning views of rocky headlands.

The Hike

Access this route from the Ozette trailhead, a short, forested section mostly on boardwalk. The sound of lapping waves along the shoreline will welcome you as you trek closer to the Cape Alava campsite. You’ll need route-finding skills given the potential of ocean fog shrouding your way. Perhaps an even more important skill is the ability to understand and read tides. You don’t want to become trapped by incoming higher water levels as you head 15 miles north to the campsite at Shi Shi Beach. Here you’ll find mostly open beach hiking, with a few access routes you can climb. Use the installed ropes to help you reach the headland sections to avoid incoming tides or navigate around rocky outcrops pounded by surf. Time your arrival at Camp Alava around sunset. It has an amazing westward-facing vantage point. 

Pro Tips

• Plan ahead! Getting camping permits for peak summertime is pretty tough here.
• Cross the Ozette River at low tide.

Best for Experienced Backpackers: West Coast Trail, Pacific Rim National Park, British Columbia

• Distance: 47 miles
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Pros: First Nation history, long stretches of beach, forests and lighthouses
• Cons: Hard to get camping permit, some busy campsites

Does trudging through mud pits, getting pounded by rainstorms, and climbing ladders with a 50-pound bag on your back sound like a good time to you? Then consider leveling up your hiking game on the West Coast Trail, a long-standing favorite of beach backpacking enthusiasts.

A Brief History

This 47-mile trail was constructed in 1907 for rescue crews because the rugged coastline scuttled so many ships. It offers many reasons to go—historic lighthouses, massive rock headlands, majestic forests, and miles of sandy beaches. One extra special is meeting the West Coast Trail Guardians, members of the local First Nations tribe. They maintain the trail and share Indigenous history of the area, info on the local flora and fauna, and how both helped their people live off the land for thousands of years.

The Hike

On average, the hike takes 6 to 8 days to complete. Most hikers choose to start from Bamfield, which provides an easier grade with mostly beach and forested sections. Take note, the second half of the trail when headed in this direction is more demanding than the first. As you hike toward the endpoint at Port Renfrew, you’ll encounter challenging above-ground ladders, more rugged sections of rocky coastline, and miles of knee-deep, rooty mud.

Most Remote: Nootka Trail, Nootka Island, British Columbia

• Distance: 22 miles
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Pros: Remote and wild with plenty of First Nations history and culture
• Cons: A bit more cost for access, but the access is part of the adventure

Located on its namesake Nootka Island off the west coast of Vancouver Island, the roughly 22-mile Nootka Trail is an untamed adventure. It combines long, dreamy stretches of deserted beach, giant forests, waterfall-side campsites, and spellbinding views of the north Pacific. The first crux is getting there. You’ll either take a flight with Air Nootka Seaplanes or board a boat—coastal freighters, water taxis, and the minesweeper-turned-cruiser MV Uchuck III all take you to the island. From there, it’s time to walk and absorb the history and culture of the Mowachaht-Muchalaht First Nation, especially in the village of Yuquot.

Pro Tip

• You’ll need a $50 permit to hike the trail.

Things to Know When Beach Backpacking

Hiking the Pacific Northwest’s beaches takes a few specialized skills.

• Learn how to read tide charts. Each of these routes involves sections that navigate around rocky headlands. Getting caught trying to traverse them when the tide is coming in could leave you in danger of getting stranded or worse. Schedule your daily mileage around when you’ll hit water sources and what their tide levels will be. Plan river crossings at low tide, as this is the time of lowest water depth.
• Do not drink saltwater. Source water above the tidal influenced zones and check freshwater options when choosing camping sites. 
• Bring high-quality rain gear. Due to incredible amounts of mud you might encounter, include hiking boots that fit well to decrease your chance of blisters due to extreme wetness.