Shi Shi Beach
What is it and why visit?
Travel to Point of Arches to experience the wild and rain-swept beaches of the Olympic Peninsula. This photogenic spot is considered by some to be one of the most beautiful coastal views in Washington. The point is located at the southern end of breathtaking Shi Shi beach (pronounced ‘shy-shy’). The northern end of the beach lies on the Makah Reservation—the Makah People have lived here for thousands of years and are the natural stewards of this land. Point of Arches itself was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971 and is part of Olympic National Park. Access to the beach is via a notoriously muddy trail located on Makah land that leads hikers on a 2-mile trek to reach the coast. Those who have made this journey agree that the trip is well worthwhile.
Be aware that this area is part of a tsunami hazard zone. Go here to learn more about tsunami hazards in Washington.
Geologic story
These rocks are almost 144 million years old
Point of Arches consists of a line of more than 30 sea stacks stretching out into the ocean. These sea stacks were formed as the Pacific Ocean slowly ate away at the cliffs of the coast.
The sea stacks at Point of Arches also feature rocks much older than those found anywhere else on the Olympic Peninsula. These rocks are almost 144 million years old. They include basalt and its slow-cooling, intrusive form, gabbro. Intrusive rocks cool below the surface of the Earth, rather than being erupted as lava flows. The geology of this area remains poorly understood. One hypothesis is that this older formation represents a submerged piece of the ancient North American continent onto which the younger rocks were deposited.
This site is part of a National Natural Landmark. The National Natural Landmarks Program recognizes and encourages the conservation of sites that contain outstanding biological and geological resources.
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Fun Fact
The coast near Lake Ozette hosted U.S. Coast Guard fortifications during World War II. The area featured ten beach patrol outposts and three coastal lookout towers. The trail connecting Lake Ozette with Shi Shi beach was originally part of a trail system developed by the U.S. Coast Guard in their coastal defense efforts.
What to see and do
Access passes you may need:
A Makah recreation permit is needed to park at the Shi Shi Beach North trailhead.
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Most of Olympic National Park is in the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness, part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. With the opportunity for solitude, personal challenge, and self discovery, Wilderness recreation comes with the expectation and responsibility for developing the outdoor skills required in a remote, rugged, and primitive setting. In return, spending time in Wilderness reminds us of our deep connection with nature and helps keep our lives and perspectives in balance. Because the National Wilderness Preservation system is an area where natural forces dominate and human activity is limited, motorized uses are prohibited, group sizes should be small, and visitors should be prepared to take care of themselves and assess risks before their trip.
Getting there
Take Cape Flattery Road from the southern end of the town of Neah Bay. Take a left on Hobuck Road and continue for about 4 miles, following signs for the fish hatchery until you reach the trailhead. The parking area there is for day use only, so if you plan to camp on the beach, you will need to use a private parking area located about half a mile back on the road. From the trailhead, follow the trail down to Shi Shi Beach. Point of Arches is about 4 miles to the south.
Nearby amenities
Photo gallery
Bibliography
Richard, Terry, 2012, Shi Shi Beach, Point of Arches packs 1-2 wallop in Olympic National Park [webpage]: The Oregonian/OregonLive. [accessed Sept. 26, 2017 at http://blog.oregonlive.com/terryrichard/2012/06/shi_shi_beach_point_of_arches.html ]
Tabor, R. W., 1987, Geology of Olympic National Park: Pacific Northwest National Parks & Forests Association, 144 p.
U.S. Geological Survey, Geology of Olympic National Park: Part I Olympic Geology [webpage]: US Geological Survey. [accessed Sept. 26, 2017 at https://archive.usgs.gov/archive/sites/geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/olym/olym6.html]
National Park Service, 2015, Coastal Defenses in Olympic National Park in World War II [webpage]: National Park Service. [accessed Apr. 7, 2019 at https://www.nps.gov/articles/olympiccoastaldefensewwii.htm ]