Pacific Beach State Park

Introduction of Pacific Beach State Park

The 17-acre Pacific Beach State Park is nestled between nearly a half-mile of sandy shoreline overlooking the incredible Pacific Ocean and the tranquil waters of Joe Creek, right next to the quiet town of Pacific Beach, Washington. The small park has the feel of a getaway, but it also has many amenities just a few minutes away from your campsite.

The Quinault Indian Tribe, who lived off the rich coastal landscape, had ancestral lands in Pacific Beach and its surroundings. Pacific Beach State Park now sits on a beautiful stretch of sand that is ideal for beachgoers and beach enthusiasts. Watersports, sunbathing, biking, and ocean viewing are popular activities at Pacific Beach State Park. Windsurfing, kiteboarding, and sea kayaking are all popular in the park’s choppy waters. If you prefer to stay on land, you can go beachcombing or look for marine life, such as whales.

The weather at Pacific Beach State Park is best in the summer, with temperatures ranging from the 60s to the high 70s and little rain. Winter months typically bring several feet of rain and temperatures in the 40s and 50s.

If you’re travelling with an RV or trailer, Pacific Beach State Park can accommodate you. The park features a lovely seaside campground with over 40 RV and trailer camping sites. There are also electric hookups, freshwater spigots, and a sanitary dump station. The park also has two yurts for overnight guests.

Pacific Beach State Park Camping

Pacific Beach State Park’s campground consists of one irregular loop with 66 campsites, 42 of which are suitable for RVs and trailers (the rest are for tent-only camping). While there are no water or sewage hookups, the park does have a freshwater filling station and a dump station. The maximum site length is 60 feet, but many sites are shorter. Each campsite has a paved parking pad that does not need to be levelled. There is also a picnic table at each location.

Twenty-six of Pacific Beach’s campsites are directly on the water, with the remainder located a little further inland.

Because there are few dunes or tall vegetation, the majority of the campground can and does take the full brunt of the weather coming off the ocean. Be prepared for wind and rain, and don’t expect much natural shade if the days are sunny.

Fires are not permitted within the campground, but you may build one on the beach in the evening if it is 100 feet from any type of vegetation. The campground has two restrooms that provide flush toilets, drinking water, and showers. The quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Generators may be used between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Pets are welcome, but must be kept on a six-foot leash at all times.

Pacific Beach State Park Activities

Fishing

If you enjoy fishing, bring your fishing pole with you on your RV trip to Pacific Beach State Park. Surf fishing is popular all year, but it is especially popular during the summer months, when salmon, sea-run cutthroat trout, and steelhead migrate inland along Joe Creek. Among the other species you can expect to catch are various types of perch. Unfortunately, clamming is not permitted on the park’s beachfront (though there are other places along the coast you can give it a try).

Before casting your line into the ocean, check the Washington fishing rules and regulations, and make sure you have the proper fishing licence!

Watersports

Watersports activities abound at Pacific Beach State Park, where visitors can go sea kayaking, swimming, and windsurfing along a beautiful stretch of Pacific coastline.

It will take some paddling power to get past the rip currents if you are kayaking, but you will reach calmer waters offshore. Swimming is best along the northern end of the beach, where the riptides are less powerful. However, caution is still advised.

Summer months bring plenty of wind, so the swells are ideal for speed. It’s no surprise that the park is popular for windsurfing.

Hiking

Because Pacific Beach State Park is small, hiking options are limited. The Sheahan Trail, on the other hand, will take you from the day-use parking lot to the coastline via several windswept sand dunes. Bird enthusiasts should visit the Sheahan trail, which offers the chance to see over 300 species of birds, including bald eagles.

You can look at some of the park’s interpretive signage while hiking on the trail, which covers the history, geology, and ecology of the dunes and coast. You’ll also learn how to identify some of the local flora and fauna. Of course, even though there is a trail, visitors can hike up and down the beach, taking in the magnificent ocean views.

Surfing

Bring your board, wax, and a heavy wet suit because surfing at Pacific Beach State Park is excellent during the winter months. With both right and left breaks, the massive swells and waves make this a great place to surf. The southern portion of the beach area, near the mouth of Joe Creek, has some of the best conditions. Paddling out can be difficult and is not recommended for beginners. More advanced surfers, on the other hand, will enjoy the park’s big waves, beautiful scenery, and low crowds.

Whale watching

Even though the weather is gloomy in winter, the whale watching opportunities are fantastic. Between November and February, grey whales begin to migrate south from the colder waters of the north. The viewing will continue through April as the grey whales migrate north from their breeding grounds in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California.

You can park your vehicle on the hard-packed sand on the uppermost portion of the beach area, which is an added bonus for whale watchers. During the rainy winter months, watching from inside your vehicle (or at least having the option to dive into your vehicle) is a great way to stay dry.

Pacific Beach State Park Location

Pacific Beach State Park is just off WA-109, which runs along a small stretch of Washington’s central coast. This road has a few relatively sharp turns, but it’s a major, paved route, so drivers shouldn’t have too much trouble. The 109 is a branch of the famous 101, which runs from Seattle to San Diego.

The park’s roads are also paved, but they are narrower. Within the campground, you must obey all posted speed limits and be aware of bicyclists, pedestrians, and children playing in the road.

From October to March, you can also drive along the uppermost portion of the beachfront, where the speed limit is 25 mph. Use caution and keep an eye out for people picnicking and relaxing on the beach. All-terrain vehicles are not permitted on the beach or in the dune areas of the park at any time.

Wind and rain are the most common weather hazards, especially during the winter months. Take extra precautions if you’re driving a high-profile vehicle, and always check local weather forecasts before venturing out.

Parking

All of the camping spots at Pacific Beach are back-in, but you should have no trouble manoeuvring as long as you stay within the length limits of your site. Pacific Beach is a small park, so once you’ve set up camp, you should be able to walk to everything you need, including campground amenities and the beach. The campground’s maximum RV and trailer length is 60 feet.

Public Transport

Public Transport is not available