The second beach we visited during our time on the Olympic Peninsula was the appropriately named, Second Beach. It’s another popular spot for beach camping, located just a little farther south than Shi Shi Beach, near the coastal town of La Push. Fun fact: Johana informed me that La Push is a town from the Twilight Saga. If you’re into that kind of thing!

The trail to the beach is flat and short. You walk along a beautiful forest path for less than a mile before reaching the huge piles of driftwood that mark the entrance to the beach.

Once you’ve scaled a few logs, you reach the sand. It’s as easy as that.

Be sure to check the tide levels and confirm exactly where you’re able to set up your tent if you’re planning to camp. When we arrived the waves were crashing against the logs, making it impossible to go on the sand for more than a few seconds!

Thankfully, unlike Shi Shi Beach, you don't need a Makah Reservation Permit or to pay for private parking. You do still need to get a permit for camping which you can again pick up from the Wilderness Information Centre in Port Angeles.

If like us, you don’t feel like camping, this is also a great beach for an out-and-back hike. Both sunrise and sunset are stunning and you’ll avoid the crowds by arriving early or staying out late. Be sure to bring a torch or headlamp to navigate your way back through the dark forest though!

Even with the tide all the way into the driftwood, it was still a lot of fun scaling and balancing across the huge logs that frame the beach. It kept us entertained while we waited out for sunset at least! The stormy skies in the background also created such a moody atmosphere and great conditions for a different kind of photo.

After the rain finally subsided for the evening, I quickly ran to the car and lugged back some firewood.

We stayed warm by the fire as we waited out for sunset with marshmallows and hot chocolate. Thanks to the pouring rain that felt like it would never end, we also had the place to ourselves for the evening. We had front row seats to a beautiful golden hour as the sun broke through the clouds on the horizon.

Once the fire and sunset had fizzled out, we tidied up and headed back into the forest for the short hike back to the car. I wouldn't recommend it if you’re scared of the dark!

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