Shi Shi Beach: Gold Prospecting in Clallam County, Washington

Updated June 2026

Shi Shi Beach is a mapped rockhounding spot in Clallam County, Washington. Reported finds include gold, iridosmine, platinum. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Clallam County
State: Washington
Nearest road: Shi Shi to Ozette River Beach Travelway
Coordinates: 48.27483, -124.68069

Geology at Shi Shi Beach

This spot sits on ground mapped as water that formed within roughly the last 12,000 years. Placer gold, where present, typically concentrates in the gravels and washes that drain ground like this.

Mapped unit: water
Age: < 1 Ma (Holocene)
Elevation: 0 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Shi Shi Beach

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 48°F in winter to 68°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, QUILLAYUTE AP station (24 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

Washington Geological Survey (DNR)
Stonerose Interpretive Center — Visit & rules
BLM Spokane District
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Shi Shi Beach

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Shi Shi Beach.

Shi Shi Beach FAQ

Where is Shi Shi Beach?+

Shi Shi Beach is in Clallam County, Washington, at 48.27483, -124.68069. Nearest road: Shi Shi to Ozette River Beach Travelway.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Shi Shi Beach?+

Shi Shi Beach is reported to produce Gold, Iridosmine, Platinum.

Is collecting allowed at Shi Shi Beach?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Shi Shi Beach?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Shi Shi Beach?+

Shi Shi Beach is workable year-round.

How do I get to Shi Shi Beach?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 48.27483, -124.68069 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Shi Shi to Ozette River Beach Travelway.

More rockhounding in Washington

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Open Shi Shi Beach on the map

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