The Ultimate Guide to Exploring the Olympic National Park.

Of the three national parks in Washington State, the Olympic National Park is easily the most diverse in terms of scenery. Home to one of the largest temperate rainforests in the country, this area gets an average of 140 inches of precipitation a year, which accounts for all the greenery. From stunning beaches to moss-dripping trees and mountain vistas, this national park has it all!

This blog is going to tell you everything you need to know to plan the perfect road trip along the Olympic Pensinsula, including where to stay and where to play. I will highlight my favorite hikes, and even a few hidden gems along the way. Let’s go!

How to Get There

There are a few ways to get to Olympic National Park, but I will discuss the main approaches depending on where you’re coming from, and which area of the park you want to visit first. There are two main hubs that I always stay in while visiting the park, and these are Port Angeles and Forks, WA. You can also stay in the Kalaloch area if you want to do less driving in one day and explore more of the nearby Quinault Rainforest, but it’s not really necessary if you don’t mind driving a little further.

If You Are Heading to Port Angeles First:

Hiking areas including Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent.

• If you are coming from Seattle, there are two ferries that you can take called the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry and the Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry, which will take you across the Puget Sound heading towards Port Angeles, creating a somewhat shorter (and more scenic) path. You can find information on these including locations, times and fares here and here. The overall route is around 82 miles roundtrip.
• If you don’t want to take a ferry, you can also drive South to Tacoma and drive up from there taking I-5 to WA-16. This route is approximately 2.5 hours, or 138 miles.
• From Portland, you will take I-5 to US-101, and the route is 231 miles or roughly 4 hours of driving time.

If You Are Heading to the Coast First:

Hiking Areas include: Tree of Life, Ruby Beach, Hoh Rainforest, Rialto Beach.

• From Portland to Kalaloch: 3 hours 46 minutes, or 217 miles.
• From Seattle to Kalaloch: 3 hours 11 minutes, or 183 miles.
• From Portland to Forks: 4 hours 28 minutes, or 250 miles.
• From Seattle to Forks: 3 hours 52 minutes, or 216 miles.

Important Things to Know for Your Trip

• Olympic National Park does have an entrance fee to get into. You can purchase an annual Olympic National Parks pass if you plan to visit this specific national park often for $55. A one-time pass is $30 per vehicle and is good for 7 days. If you visit multiple national parks and national forests per year, I highly recommend purchasing the annual national park pass called The America the Beautiful Pass, which is $80. You can purchase any of these passes online, or on site at the entrance stations. This pass is also good if you are planning to visit the nearby Olympic National Forest.

• Dogs or other pets are not allowed on any of the trails at Olympic National Park. They can only be in a car, parking lot or campground; and must be leashed and under the owner’s control at all times. There are a few small sections of beaches around Kalaloch, but if you are planning on hiking here, it’s best to leave your furry friends at home.

• If you are bringing an RV or planning on camping during your trip, you can find information on all the available campsites within the park here.

The Ultimate Five-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary

You can do Olympic National Park over a weekend, or even in shorter/longer increments depending on what hikes you plan to do, and how long or little you want to drive in a day. Because your first and last day will mostly consist of driving (depending on where you are coming from), I will account for these into your trip time.

Like I mentioned before, your two main hub cities are going to be Port Angeles and Forks. I have found in my many trips out there, that these are the two central areas closest to all the best attractions and can easily be returned to after a day of hiking. Your travel itinerary may change depending on the weather, so it is best to adapt your plans if needed. For example, if it is going to be raining the first few days of your trip, you may want to forgo the coast first and start closer to Port Angeles. The weather here can be unpredictable, and it rains A LOT (up to 170 inches per year), so prepare accordingly and dress in weather-proof layers.

In this blog, I am going to start at the coast and continue clockwise through to Port Angeles.

Day One

• Today you will start your drive out to the Washington Coast.
• If you are planning to visit the Quinault Rainforest now is the time to do so. Check out Merriman Falls in this area for a short scenic waterfall hike. The Quinault Rainforest Nature Trail is another alternative.
• Next on the list is the Big Cedar Tree. Located right off highway 101 near Kalaloch Beach, is this massive thousand-year-old cedar tree. The hike is only 0.3 miles roundtrip from the parking area, and it is really a sight to behold.

• If that last tree didn’t impress you, then I promise you this next spot called the Tree of Life will blow your mind! Located at the Kalaloch Campground off Highway 101, it is unlike any other tree you’ve ever seen. This is because the tree seemingly floats above the earth with its roots completely exposed, forming somewhat of a cave like network underneath. It is hard to comprehend how this Sitka Spruce keeps on surviving, hence its mystical name.

• Just 7 miles north up the road is another beautiful beach called Ruby Beach, beloved by locals and travelers for its stunning landscapes and sea stacks. This is the perfect spot to end day one, with a sunset over the horizon.

Where to Stay:

• At this point you can choose to either stay in Kalaloch Beach or start heading north to Forks. There is limited lodging in Kalaloch, but the Kalaloch Lodge is a solid option.
• I typically always stay in Forks, just because it’s a little bit closer to the northern most beaches and other attractions. Forks is located approximately 27 miles north of Ruby Beach on Highway 101. I’ve stayed at the Pacific Inn Motel plenty of times, and it is a cute and cozy lower budget option. Keep in mind, lodging is scarce out here, so it is always best to book well in advance (especially if visiting in the popular summer months). Also, most of the lodging out here is rated 2-3 stars, so don’t expect anything super fancy out here! You can also check out Airbnb, as there are dozens of cabins and tiny homes in this area as well.
• You may have heard of the town of Forks, which became highly popularized by the Twilight books and movies. Whether or not you are a fan, this small community has certainly capitalized on its fandom, as you can see fun nods to the series around the town and surrounding areas.

Day Two

Today you are going to be exploring one of the most magical places in the country, and one of the top five most beautiful places I’ve ever had the privilege of visiting, the Hoh Rainforest. You will be doing a short bit of backtracking down the coast if you stayed in Forks, but it is only about 13 miles distance until you reach Upper Hoh Road. You will then start a long and winding 10-mile venture to the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center.

This is one of the busiest areas of the park, and for good reason, so getting an early start is the best way to avoid the crowds. You will pass the Hard Rain Cafe along this road with a small cafe and gift shop there, as well as another campsite. This is the only food in this small section of the park. Once you start getting close to the Visitor’s Center you will pass through an entrance station where you will either present your park pass or pay the entrance fee. A day pass is $30 per car, but it can be used anywhere else in the park for up to 7 days.

There are two main trails off the visitors center here, called the Hall of Mosses trail and the Spruce Nature trail, which I will go into further detail of below.

The Hall of Mosses trail is certainly unlike any other place you’ve probably ever visited. With massive trees dripping with vines and moss, it looks like something from a different planet, or even from the world of Dr. Suess! The entire loop is about 1 mile long and is relatively flat. Because this is a rainforest, it will likely be raining when you visit, which honestly in my opinion adds to the magic of this unique location.

Going early in the morning or even on a weekday is key, because this place gets very busy. Due to the short trail and its easy accessibility, there are often massive crowds, which unfortunately can take away from the overall experience. Regardless, this place needs to be on everyone’s bucket list!

The Spruce Nature trail is only a short distance from the Hall of Mosses. This loop is slightly longer and tends to be less crowded. You will take a 1.4 mile stroll along the bank of the Hoh River and pass several massive spruce trees, including this felled root system, which kind of looks like a heart.

• If you are looking to stay in this area but want to do a longer and more challenging hike, the Hoh River Trail to Mineral Falls is an excellent option. This hike is roughly 5.6 miles with around 200 feet of elevation gain, ending with a beautiful 66-foot waterfall. I’ve never personally done this hike, however it is considered a must-do for avid hikers and nature lovers.
• If you are only doing the two short trails, you will likely spend an average of 1-2 hours here before heading back to Forks.
• If you want to spend the night in the Hoh Rainforest, there is a campground onsite here as well.

Other Things to Do Once you Leave the Rainforest:

There is a stretch of beaches along Highway 101 just north of Forks in La Push, that are definitely worth exploring. These include First, Second and Third Beaches and are located on the Quileute Indian Reservation. You could honestly spend an entire day adventuring here if you are a beach comber, but the real MVP of this area is Rialto Beach.

Located about 15 miles west of Forks, Rialto Beach hosts a stunning display of scenery from massive driftwood piles to tidepools teeming with sea life. If your feet aren’t hurting too bad and you are up for more hiking, you must do the Hole-in-the-Wall hike! Be mindful that this spectacular hike is only accessible during low tide, so account for that if you plan to hike down to the natural arch.

As you can see from the photo above, the view from this trail is pretty amazing. While this hike is considered easy, you will be hiking about 1.6 miles each way (total of 3.3 miles total) to reach the arch. This may not seem very far, but you are also walking on sand and beach pebbles the entire way, which can make the trek much harder on your knees and ankles. Once you reach the arch you will be met with glorious views of the Pacific Ocean and other sea stacks nearby. There is also a plethora of tidepools here to explore once the tide goes out.

Again, you can only access and walk through this arch during low-tide, and it can be dangerous if you attempt to do it at any other time. You’ll know you’re getting close to the arch when you see the bunny-eared shaped rocks seen below by the entrance.

• You will end your evening with another night’s stay in Forks in the lodging of your choice.

Day Three

Today we are going to be chasing some waterfalls along the Olympic Peninsula! In one of the wettest areas of the country, the falls are always heavily flowing, and there are tons of them out here just begging to be explored. You will continue heading eastbound towards Port Angeles today, so will not be returning to your lodging in Forks.

The first stop is kind of a hidden gem and not many people even know it exists. Technically located in the Olympic National Forest, this little beauty can be found in Beaver Washington, approximately 14 miles northbound of Forks on Highway 101. Not really a hike, but more of a scenic viewpoint, Beaver Falls is a mere 0.1 miles from the parking area.

The next stop on our trip requires a little bit of driving to get to. Sol Duc Falls, one of the most famous waterfalls in the national park, is located approximately 31 miles from Beaver Falls. As you head east bound on Highway 101, you will reach Sol-Duc Hot Springs Road in 23 miles and turn right. You will then follow this road another 8.3 miles towards the parking lot.

You will pass an entrance station along this road and will be required to pay the fee or present your park pass. Sometimes during the winter months, they will close this road making the hike inaccessible. It is best to check current road conditions if you are here during those months.

The hike is a short 1.6 miles round trip and leads to a magnificent view of a three-chute waterfall. You can cross over the wooden footbridge and view the famous light beams shining through the trees. If you are lucky, you might even see a rainbow in the spray of mist.

• If you have extra time to spare, you can spend some time soaking in the mineral pools at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort nearby. You can also stay the night there if you like, but they are only open March through October.

As you continue to travel east along Highway 101, you will next reach Lake Crescent, a huge interest point on this Olympic National Park road trip. Located approximately 12 miles from the Sol-Duc Hot Springs Road juncture, this massive lake is host to a multitude of popular trailheads in the area.

The main parking area is located by the Storm King Ranger Station, and the next hike is going to take us to the whimsical Marymere Falls. If you are planning on doing the Mount Storm King Hike (which I will discuss shortly, you can skip this spot if you like, as they’re located on the same trail).

This 1.7 mile hike will take you on a short walk through the forest to a 90-foot cascade. Along the way you will cross wooden bridges and pass towering mossy trees. The trail is mostly flat but does start to pick up in elevation as you near the falls.

• You can use this time to continue exploring the Lake Crescent area, or continue onward to our final waterfall, which is about twenty minutes away, enroute to Port Angeles.
• During the summer months you can rent kayaks here and paddle around the lake.

The last waterfall you will be visiting today is called Madison Falls and is located off Olympic Hot Springs Road. This 50-foot stunner is very easily accessed and is located only 0.1 miles from the parking lot on a paved trail. This brief excursion is the perfect end to a long day of waterfall chasing.

Where to Stay:

• For lodging there are several options in this area. You can stay in the Port Angeles area, which is about 22 miles from Lake Crescent (or 11 miles from Madison Falls). My favorite place to stay here is the Olympic Lodge. They have a heated outdoor pool and delicious free breakfast buffet.

• Another option is to stay at the Lake Crescent Lodge nearby. Keep in mind, staying inside the park will be more expensive and rooms tend to book up well in advance. Also, park lodges are closed during the wintertime.

Day Four

Today is the day to do the “grand-daddy” of all hikes within the national park, Mount Storm King. This is not only one of the most popular treks you can do, but one for only the most serious adventurers, as it can be quite strenuous. This hike does require a certain level of hiking experience and is only recommended for people who aren’t afraid of heights and can tolerate a decent amount of elevation gain. Starting at the Storm King Ranger Station, you will traverse uphill most of the way passing through an old growth forest with insane views of the valley beneath you.

As you climb above the tree level of the trail you will have an expansive view of the ever-shrinking Lake Crescent down below, as well as the Olympic mountains towering in the background. It is near this point that the maintained trail ends and the real fun begins. As you continue your upward climb, you will next encounter a series of ropes to help assist with balance. You aren’t exactly rock climbing here, but the ascent is quite steep, so know your limitations, as you still have to come back down.

• Pro Tip: Bring a pair of gloves for the rope sections, your hands will thank you later!

Once you pass the short rope section, your last barrier is a scramble on a narrow ridgeline. While it may seem kind of sketchy as you are initially climbing over it, it does widen quite a bit to expose the summit and final grand view.

At the top of the mountain it isn’t uncommon for small birds to fly out to you if you hold your hand out.

Other Things to Do on Day Four If You Aren’t Doing the Storm King Hike:

• Explore more of the surrounding Lake Crescent area.
• Head to Madison or Marymere Falls if you haven’t already.
• Walk around the city of Port Angeles. There are dozens of cute boutiques, bars and restaurants here.
• Take a walk through the Salt Creek Recreation Area in Port Angeles.
• Drive 20 miles up to the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center (closed during wintertime) for a view of the mountains.

Day Five

For your last day in Olympic National Park, there are a few options of things to do. During the warmer months it is always cool to make the picturesque drive up to the Hurricane Ridge Visitor’s Center (as seen above). Despite the road only being 12 miles long, it can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes to drive up depending on traffic and the weather. This is one of the spots in the park that has snow most of the year round, except for mid to late summer. Check the weather conditions before trying to make the trip up, because it may be closed for the season.

• During the summertime you can hike along Hurricane Ridge and see a dazzling display of wildflowers. You can snowshoe this area during the wintertime, but there is a high risk of avalanches in this area, so caution must be maintained.
• The Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge Trail is one of the more popular trails here, and is 3.4 miles long.

As you head away from the national park, there are plenty of things to see as you drive away from
Port Angeles, in the Olympic National Forest. One of the cooler places I’ve been to outside of the park, considered to be a hidden gem is Murhut Falls.

Located by Brinnon Washington, this 130-foot tall two-tiered waterfall is somewhat tough to get to. While the actual trail is very well maintained, short and mostly flat; the long forest road leading to it is pretty terrible. Covered in potholes, this is likely not the best driving experience for people in low clearance vehicles, although doable with extreme care. You will take Duckabush Road (NF-2510) from Highway 101 for about 7.5 miles.

Other Nearby Waterfalls and Attractions:

• Rocky Brook Falls.
• Rainbow Canyon Trail.
• Vincent Creek Falls.
• Hamma Hamma Falls.
• High Steel Bridge in Shelton, WA.

In Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and will find it useful when planning your road trip to the Olympic National Park. There is so much to do and see here, that you could easily spend many more days here than what I have entailed in this itinerary. Please reach out to me via my Instagram DMs (Lolowandering) or email me via the contact page on the website if you have questions or comments regarding additional information you might need to help you plan the perfect trip!

Happy Wandering!