I really hope you're not lighting any campfires this year....

The wild Washington coast. It never fails to make a deep impression on those who are blessed to visit.

@1 - If they are, they wont last—fires are now banned, even in camping rings. The Washington coast is great, but if you're a stay-up-and-drink-100-beers-fireside type such as myself, I'd make it a hotel destination until the state lifts the ban.

Side note to campers and families that like a quieter campground evening; now might be the time to go.

I get the sentiment, but please bring your cellphone if you are backpacking:

http://www.backpacker.com/skills/beginne…

@1: on the coast, it's probably ok, even this year. its a beach, away from trees and brush, it's usually foggy and cold. NPS call, though.

Lovely. I was privileged to visit once, in November. Mr Emma's Bee photographed me clambering over a giant, slippery, and phallus-shaped piece of driftwood. It was unforgettable.

The Olympic Coast is one of my favorite places on Earth. Amazing.

The park's website says this about campfires along the coast this summer:

"Campfire Restrictions in Effect - Due to limited available firefighting resources and continued dry conditions, there is a ban on all open fires in the park’s wilderness backcountry, including all locations along the wilderness coast."

Also, please don't mark up the rocks and logs with your charcoal. No trace.

@4: Do us all a favor, never go "camping" again.

Very good piece. This is one of the sorts of things I like to read in The Stranger.

Clearly written for the newcomers to the PNW. Well, you newbies, try not to do to Washington what you did to California? Thanks

Yeah--leave no trace. Please.

I reserved a campsite for Labor Day weekend near Kalaloch just last week. Unfortunately, most of the campgrounds on the Olympic Peninsula are first-come-first-serve. Summer is of course their busiest time, so either plan ahead (about two months) or leave very, very early.

When I was looking at hiking Shi Shi beach I got the impression that the Olympic National Park pass is only required if you plan to stay overnight. I'm having troubles sourcing this distinction though; if anyone can confirm I would be most thankful.

Lastly, the coast is dominated by native land so please try to be good ambassadors so we can continue to share it.

I've vacationed on the coast on and off for decades now and I absolutely love it.
Two points that make it really great -
1. If you're the type who has a sporty car, the twisty roads make for an amazing drive. I took my BRZ up there after Christmas and it was incredible. Just be aware that "Keep right except to Pass" is the law, as it, "Pull over if there are five or more people behind you". It's still a long drive and those are made much easier when everyone is being considerate on the road.

2. You can find huge discounts on hotels during the winter, which is when my family always went. There's something really fun about putting on rain gear, playing on the beach, then coming back inside and watching the storms roll in. It's really a great way to clear out the cobwebs.

@9 I'm one of the most courteous campers you'll meet and know what's appropriate at what spots, but I'm guessing you put camping in quotes because you figure you do this super cool kind that someone like me would never understand. MAYBE you even hike in?! I'm getting the vapors just thinking about it.

I'm tickled that the Stranger would highlight this natural wonder of the world that we're blessed to live so close to, but I wish they would have more respect for the Leave No Trace ethic next time. People are already sufficiently motivated to write on things in the wilderness without extra help from local media.