Hike to Second Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

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It's a nice 0.7-mile hike to Second Beach in Olympic National Park. It offers excellent opportunities to view bald eagles and seals, and bird life is common on sea stacks. Whale migration occurs in March/April and October. Permits/Reservations: Obtain permits in person at the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles or the South Shore Lake Quinault Ranger Station. No reservations for South Coast. However,Second Beach is very popular in summer and can fill up. Group Size Restrictions: Groups are limited to no more than 12 people. Associated groups of more than 12 must camp and travel at least 1 mile apart and may not combine at any time into a group of more than 12. Food Storage Method:As of May 2013, all food, garbage, and scented items must be stored—overnight and when unattended—in park-approvedBear Canistersalong the entire Olympic National Park Wilderness Coast. Buckets or other hard-sided containers areno longer permitted. Campsites: A few forested sites are available but mostly beach camping. Camping space can be scarce in summer. Toilet Facilities: A pit toilet is located where the trail meets the beach. Water Source: Two streams - Most coastal water sources have a tea-stained appearance. The light tan color originates from tannin leached from leaves. Cryptosporidium and giardia exist in coastal lakes, streams, and rivers. Always filter or boil water. Iodine is ineffective against cryptosporidium.

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