West Coast Beach Destinations For Your Next Camping Adventure
By SYDNEY BAKER
A few miles from Forks, Washington (aka "Twilight" Town), lies a nature lover's paradise with bald eagles, seals, and a craggy coastline against the rainforest.
Second Beach
Before setting up camp at Second Beach, you must hike part of the mostly flat, 0.7-mile trail. Be sure to buy a Wilderness Permit in advance and register online to ensure a spot.
This Oregon state park has well-equipped camping facilities. The sites don't have ocean views, as a cobblestone retaining wall is in place to help combat erosion.
Cape Lookout
The beach is just a short walk away, but watch your step as the cobblestone barrier can be slippery. The site has hook-up spots for trailers, 13 dog-friendly yurts, and six cabins.
With just a 0.5-mile walk from the parking lot along the sand, you can camp on this beautiful beach on Washington's coastline.
Rialto Beach
Set up camp between Ellen Creek and Hole-in-the-Wall, a cave often seen on Instagram. Camping at the cave and North Coast requires a wilderness backcountry permit.
Rialto is one of the few beaches of Olympic National Park where dogs are allowed. No toilet facilities or drinking water is available here, so make sure you're prepared.
You can hike along California's Lost Coast Trail for hours and camp in designated spots on the ocean. Just avoid private property, which signs will mark.
Black Sands Beach
The unique black sand beaches against the nearby mountains make for breathtaking scenery. Watch for elephant seals, sea lions, eagles, and deer.
There aren't drive-in camping spots. You'll need to carry in your equipment, dig your toilet locations, and have a backcountry permit in advance.
Found in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and named for the golden sand on its 10-mile stretch, you can camp on the dunes of California's Gold Bluffs Beach.
Gold Bluffs Beach
Wake up to the sound of crashing ocean and jagged cliffs. Although your dog can't go on the park trails, you can bring them to camp on the beach, and cabins are also available.
The park and grounds are relatively easy to reach, but facilities are limited, with no water or sewage. Camping permits are required from May 1 to September 30.