Get Away From It All at This Remote and Beautiful Campground in Washington

With warm weather, it's time to start planning your summer's outdoor adventures! If you're in the market for a quiet waterfront campground in Washington, few places could make you feel as removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life as a night under the stars at Cape Alava. If you can snag a camping permit (which are required and distributed by an online reservation system), I can't recommend this magical spot enough.

Located along the famously beautiful Neah Bay, Cape Alava is part of Olympic National Park and the Makah Reservation. It also happens to be the westernmost point in the Lower 48 states. Day hikers are welcome to take the six-mile out-and-back trail from its trailhead near Lake Ozette to the shore, but camping at Cape Alava requires a wilderness permit. Permits are issued in limited numbers throughout the year to help protect this fragile and stunning region from the impacts of overuse.

The path to Cape Alava is a tale of two hikes. From dense old-growth forest to the vast Pacific, you'll experience the incredible range of Washington ecotones, a tapestry that supports an equally varied wildlife community.

If you can get your hands on an overnight permit, there's nothing like spending the weekend here. Though I've never managed to camp, friends of mine have. I'm also just nosy enough to chat up campers I encounter hiking in, each of whom is aglow with the specialness of their experience.

Sunsets at Cape Alava are cinematic events. Bring a thermos to keep you warm in the bracing wind and soak in the arrival of evening.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I have a hard time relating to beaches that aren't bitingly cold and rocky. If you're anything like me, you'll lose hours walking the shoreline, looking at what's washed up. Just remember the outdoor credo to leave things as you found them! You'll also want to remember a good pair of waterproof hiking shoes.

Waking up to the sound of Cape Alava's waves crashing on the beach, the smell of salt and pine, and serene morning light is a fixture of my Washington bucket list. If you love remote camping in pristine natural areas with ocean views, I think it should be on your bucket list, too.

If you're looking for a quiet waterfront campground in Washington, put your name in the hat for a Cape Alava Wilderness Permit. Though your spot isn't guaranteed, a getaway here is aspirational stuff. Stoke your fantasy by hiking in for the day. You'll leave with a new goal for your bucket list. Because of the trail's remote location, you'll probably want to download an offline map from AllTrails Plus before you hike in; that way, you'll still have fingertip navigation even when you don't have any bars.