Point of Arches
Guided Backpacking Trips
3 Days, 2 Nights 10+MI / 16+KM
Trip Highlights
This 3-day relaxed coastal trip is perfect for kids, families, and anyone looking to spend more time lounging, exploring tidal pools, and unwinding. We’ll begin our adventure on the Makah Reservation, located in the furthest northwest corner of the contiguous United States. From there, we’ll weave through coastal forests until we reach Shi Shi Beach, then head south toward the ocean-carved arches, abundant sea life, and rugged bluffs of the Point of Arches—a dramatic promontory shaped by the relentless waves.
Camping for two nights at the Point of Arches will give us plenty of time to explore and enjoy the ocean, with opportunities for beachcombing and tide pooling. In the evenings, we’ll enjoy a gourmet backcountry dinner as we gather around driftwood fires to stay warm and share stories under the stars.
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Custom Family Trip
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Pristine Beaches
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Towering Sea Stacks
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Tidal Pools, Sea Life & Rainforests
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Coastal Wilderness
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Dramatic Pacific Coastlines
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Amazing Natural & Cultural History
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
3 Days, 2 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
2-6 mi -
Group Size
1-6 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip features very moderate hiking distances (4 miles with a backpack), with very little elevation gain/loss. This is a fantastic Level 2 difficulty choice for families and first time backpackers.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle to the trailhead: 4.5 hours
Hiking Mileage: 4 miles
Elevation Loss: 200 feet
This multi-day Olympic National Park hiking trip begins with pick up at your hotel in Olympia and a scenic drive to the trailhead on the very tip of the Olympic Peninsula. We’ll drive alongside the scenic Hood Canal, and then get views of Vancouver Island across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. After a tasty picnic lunch we’ll put on packs and hike through a coastal forest for two miles before a short, steep descent down to Shi Shi Beach and our first dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean. We’ll hike south along the beach and set up camp with views of sea stacks, cliffs, and pounding waves. We’ll watch the sun set over the ocean, enjoy a hearty backcountry dinner, and then fall asleep to the gentle roar of the ocean.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 2-6 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: minimal
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Shuttle to Olympia: 4.5 hours
On day three, we’ll have a leisurely breakfast before packing up camp and heading slowly back up the beach. We’ll climb back up to the bluff above the beach, and then wander back to our car through old growth Sitka spruce and abundant salmonberries. On our drive back we’ll take the southern route, getting more views of the Pacific Ocean as we circumnavigate the iconic Olympic highway 101 before turning East at Aberdeen and making our way back to Olympia and your hotel.
Trip Dates
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Olympia and back
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All entrance fees, permits and passes
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 3% national park fee that passes through directly to Olympic NP
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
TENT CAMPING
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
FRESH & DELICIOUS
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
Amazing Campsites
IN THE ACTION
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact approximately 10 days before your trip start date.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Olympia, WA.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Olympia
The most common way to reach Olympia is by flying into Seattle and renting a vehicle or shuttling to Olympia (approximately 1 hour). SeaTac (Seattle-Tacoma) Airport is one of the most easily accessed destinations in the country. Many major cities in the United States and internationally offer direct flights into Seattle.
The shuttle to Olympia is provided by Premier Airport Shuttle. Go to https://premierairportshuttle.com/olympia/ or call 800-962-3579 to make reservations.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Elizabeth K.
6 years agoOur trip to Point of Arches was perfect
Our trip to Point of Arches was a perfect way to be introduced to backpacking. Our guide, Dan, was experienced, personable, and knowledgeable about all of the flora and fauna. Most importantly, he created a positive first backpacking trip for each individual on the trip. A perfect combination of enjoying the outdoors with a caring guide professional. Thanks!
Cecile H.
7 years agoBlown away!
This was my first trip with Wildland and I was blown away by the quality of the service I received. I had thought the cost was rather high when I signed up but I now see that it is adequate. I anticipate signing up for more trips in the future.
Nancy R.
7 years agoOur guide was wonderful
Our guide was truly wonderful. Professional, knowledgeable, flexible, kind, engaging and patient. We really appreciated what a great job he did.
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