Coastal camping is the strangest of American outdoor experiences. The terrain is technically flat (sea level), but the weather is more variable than alpine country, the tides change the trail itself, and the wet/cold combination is unique. Here's what to pack for a 4-day coastal trip — Olympic Coast, Lost Coast, Outer Banks, or any other US shoreline.
Tide tables — the actual prerequisite
Before you pack: pull a tide table for your dates. On most American coasts you'll have impassable headlands at high tide. The Lost Coast is the extreme case — sections of trail are underwater 4 hours per cycle. Plan around it.
Shelter for sand and wind
- 3-season tent with full coverage rainfly
- Sand stakes (the regular aluminum stakes pull right out of beach sand — sand stakes are wider and have a flange)
- Footprint (saltwater on a tent floor without one will accelerate hydrolysis)
- Dry bag or trash bag for the rainfly when you pack out — sand sticks to wet fabric
Sleep system for damp
- Synthetic-fill sleeping bag (down doesn't work in coastal humidity, even when 'dry')
- Inflatable sleeping pad R-value 4+ (cold sand at night)
- Compression dry bag
Layers for fog-cold
The classic coastal pattern: 50°F and foggy at sunrise, 70°F and sunny at 2pm, 55°F and damp by sundown. Layer:
- Long-sleeve sun hoodie (also good for fog mornings)
- Hiking pants (quick-dry)
- Synthetic puffy
- Hard-shell rain jacket (the coast is wet — even when not raining, the spray and fog are constant)
- Light wool gloves and a buff
Footwear — the wet challenge
- Waterproof hiking boots OR mid-cut trail runners that you accept will be wet most of the trip
- Neoprene socks for stream crossings and surf-line sections
- Camp shoes you can put on dry feet at night
Hydration + filtration
Coastal water is paradoxical: surrounded by ocean (undrinkable), with limited freshwater sources. Plan ahead.
- 3-liter capacity in containers
- Sawyer filter for freshwater sources (creeks crossing beach to ocean)
- Knowledge of where the next creek is on your route — sometimes 8 miles apart
Cook system
- Canister stove + windscreen (coastal wind is constant)
- Storm-matches and lighter in waterproof bag
- Salt-resistant pot (titanium or anodized aluminum holds up better than uncoated steel)
The coastal-specific extras
- Tide chart printed on waterproof paper (bring it, even if your phone has it)
- Trekking poles (rocky, kelp-strewn beach hiking is harder than trail hiking)
- Bear canister if required (Olympic Coast requires them in some sections)
- Wag bag (no soil to dig in on bedrock and sand)
- Headlamp + red filter (preserves night vision for stargazing on the beach)
The coast is the most dynamic environment. The trail you walked at dawn may be underwater by 11am. Build flexibility into the plan.
What you don't need
Insulated boots (overheating). Heavy down (gets damp). A water-purifying tablet kit (filter is the better tool here). Detailed alpine clothing layers (you'll never see snow).
For coastal-ready dry bags and pack systems, shop the kit. Relevant destinations: Olympic National Park, The Redwoods.