Oil City Trail - Olympic Wilderness

Hoh River from Oil City Trail

NPS Scott Kinghorn

Notices
Description
Trail Conditions
Camping
Special Concerns
Safety
Photos

 

Notices:

• All food, garbage, and scented items must be stored—overnight and when unattended—in park-approved Bear Canisters along the entire Olympic National Park Wilderness Coast.
• Pets, use of weapons, and wheeled devices are prohibited on coastal beaches and trails.
• Wilderness Camping Permits are required for overnight camping at on the coast. For the most up to date information about how to obtain a Wilderness Backpacking Permit, visit our Wilderness Reservations page.

 

Description

Ecosystem type: Coastal forest and ocean beach
Trail tread types: Maintained
General elevation trend: Flat
River crossings: None
Unique features: Ocean views, sea stacks, opportunities to view bald eagles and seals. Bird life is common on sea stacks. Whale migration occurs in March/April and October.
Level of difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.8 mile
Elevation change: None
Best Season: Year-round

 

Camping
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.
Campsites: There are a few campsites off the beach back in the drift logs. During dummer, camping space can be scarce.
Toilet Facilities: No toilets. Bury waste 6-8" deep 200 feet from campsites or water sources. Urinate on the beach below the high tide line.
Water Source: 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.
Stock: Prohibited on all park beaches and beach trails.

 

Special Concerns

Leave No Trace: Practice Leave No Trace guildlines during your stay to protect vegetation and other park resources. Camp in established bare ground sites or on sand to prevent damage to vegetation.
Campfires: To protect coastal forests, please have fires on the beach and burn only driftwood.

 

Safety

• Never try to round hazardous headlands at high tide. Always carry a tide chart and topographic map. Don't get trapped!
• Beach logs may not be stable. Use extreme caution when walking on logs.

 

Drift Logs at Hoh River Mouth

NPS Scott Kinghorn

 

Hoh River Mouth

NPS Scott Kinghorn