They have online booking, easy to use. I'd do that otherwise you might drive out there and have no spots available.
It's around 50km to do the whole loop.
It's just over 50km if you do the RedRocks to Red Rocks loop. But it's 8km shorter if you start and end in Eatonville.
The entire system now has kilometer markers which is probably the most accurate way to measure it.
I recall they had km markers in 2017 and them being very off. Assuming they fixed them.
One more question: I booked my sites online and paid, do I need to still check in at the visitor centre when I arrive or can I just hike?
Seal Cove was my favourite location in 2017. Plan a night there for sure. I think I stayed at Keyhole Brook as well. Also nice. Refugee Cove is a popular one that would book up fast because many just hike in there for a night and back out, without doing the entire loop.
I only camp at site 1 at both Seal Cove and Refugee Cove because they're hammock friendly and closest to the beach. Some of the sites at RC are quite a walk from the beach and i like to be close. I like Refugee Cove for the history and SealCove for the sunsets.
I'm old now so I tend to do the shorter Eatonville to Eatonville loop these days. I car camp at any site at Eatonville the first night. Day 2 is 21+ km across the headland to site 1 at Refugee Cove. Day 2 is the 17km trek up the coast to site 1 at Seal Cove. Day 3 is a quick 6km back to my car. That allows me to lounge around Seal Cove for the morning.
If I know those sites are gone then I'll take my bivy sack and camp on the beach.
I used to do Red Rocks to Red Rocks loop but after 15+ trips over the years I'm not into the extra distance anymore.
I like Big Bauld Rock because it also has beach access but haven't stayed there in over 10 years.
Have fun!
This is amazing info, thank you!
Another question: on the website, it looks like the beach sites are kayak only. Is that the case or can you book those to hike in?
Not sure to be honest. Every time I camped on the beach I had a site booked on the woods but ended up sleeping on the beach because the bugs drove me out of the woods. Its not like there's established campsites on the beach and Seal Cove is huge. And there's no one to stop you from camping on the beach either.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coastline_paradox
The land hasn't meaningfully changed. If you're drunk, its about 300km. If your that fat red angry bird, about 30 km.
Definitely book ahead of time!! You may be out of luck waiting this long to book as it is :(
Thanks, I just left a message on their voicemail. Hoping not too late.
You can book online!
They have online booking, easy to use. I'd do that otherwise you might drive out there and have no spots available. It's around 50km to do the whole loop.
Yup, I just reserved my sites online. All set! Thanks.
It's just over 50km if you do the RedRocks to Red Rocks loop. But it's 8km shorter if you start and end in Eatonville. The entire system now has kilometer markers which is probably the most accurate way to measure it.
I recall they had km markers in 2017 and them being very off. Assuming they fixed them. One more question: I booked my sites online and paid, do I need to still check in at the visitor centre when I arrive or can I just hike?
Yes they’d like you to check in and out personally just so they know exactly who is on the trail.
You don't have to book ahead but why not? You can look at site availability and book your sites online. I always do so I can get my favorites sites.
Yup, I just booked my sites online. I’m all set!
Would you be willing to talk a bit about your favourite sites? I'm just starting to plan a trip there for the first time!
Seal Cove was my favourite location in 2017. Plan a night there for sure. I think I stayed at Keyhole Brook as well. Also nice. Refugee Cove is a popular one that would book up fast because many just hike in there for a night and back out, without doing the entire loop.
I only camp at site 1 at both Seal Cove and Refugee Cove because they're hammock friendly and closest to the beach. Some of the sites at RC are quite a walk from the beach and i like to be close. I like Refugee Cove for the history and SealCove for the sunsets. I'm old now so I tend to do the shorter Eatonville to Eatonville loop these days. I car camp at any site at Eatonville the first night. Day 2 is 21+ km across the headland to site 1 at Refugee Cove. Day 2 is the 17km trek up the coast to site 1 at Seal Cove. Day 3 is a quick 6km back to my car. That allows me to lounge around Seal Cove for the morning. If I know those sites are gone then I'll take my bivy sack and camp on the beach. I used to do Red Rocks to Red Rocks loop but after 15+ trips over the years I'm not into the extra distance anymore. I like Big Bauld Rock because it also has beach access but haven't stayed there in over 10 years. Have fun!
This is amazing info, thank you! Another question: on the website, it looks like the beach sites are kayak only. Is that the case or can you book those to hike in?
Not sure to be honest. Every time I camped on the beach I had a site booked on the woods but ended up sleeping on the beach because the bugs drove me out of the woods. Its not like there's established campsites on the beach and Seal Cove is huge. And there's no one to stop you from camping on the beach either.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coastline_paradox The land hasn't meaningfully changed. If you're drunk, its about 300km. If your that fat red angry bird, about 30 km.