Playing in Olympic National Park is like taking a magical journey — hopping between kingdoms of coastal beaches, snow-capped mountains, and water-soaked rainforests. A collection of diversity, all tightly contained in the northwestern corner of Washington State, came together as a National Park in 1937. Since then, the uncrowded expanse of wild terrain effortlessly offers something for everyone.
To truly see Olympic National Park, one or two days may not be enough. But don’t fret! This Olympic National Park itinerary will deliver the best of Olympic National Park in three days. Don’t miss the highlights by following this detailed guide (written by a local!), starting in Seattle before exploring the ultimate playground: the Olympic Peninsula.
Last Updated on November 2, 2020. Written by Matthew Kessi of Kessiworld. This page may contain affiliate links.
Growing up in Oregon and visiting relatives in the Seattle area my entire life gave me many opportunities to visit this bastion of nature — from a variety of angles, itineraries, activities, food, and places to rest my head at night.
Today, I live in Seattle and host guests from around the world in my Airbnb. I love the exposure to all walks of life and, in particular, get a good feel for what they enjoy when exploring the Pacific Northwest.
They also ask my suggestions for an Olympic National Park itinerary, including how to best get a glimpse of the majestic Olympic National Park. Even from Seattle, on a clear day, the mountains form the western skyline of the city — often snow-capped and glowing in sunset glory at dusk.
The desire to see it all-at-once hits first-time visitors. I caution against such an overwhelming approach, though, for in due time, the intricate layers of this Pacific Northwest rose can be revealed. The Olympic Peninsula is vast in the wilderness and the one main roadway, Highway 101, circles the landmass in such a way that limits options for a quick tour.
Still, a great Olympic National Park itinerary to get acquainted with the park can be enjoyed in three days. Maybe a long weekend for those in the Seattle area or an action-packed three days added on to a longer itinerary for visitors to the Pacific Northwest.
Get ready for an oxygen-rich getaway! This three-day Olympic National Park itinerary is sure to offer a fill up on Olympic Peninsula goodness.
Table of Contents
Visiting Olympic National Park: Planning and Logistics
Keep in mind the following Olympic National Park itinerary works best in the summer months when the days are longer and the weather brighter. The other seasons offer their own charm, especially opening up the true allure of the temperate rainforest and angry waves crashing up against ornate rock stacks.
In fact, a winter visit to the Pacific Northwest is the best time to head toward Olympic National Park because you’re guaranteed such a fantastic rainforest and coastal experience.
Because this fertile corner of the country receives over 140 inches of rain a year, dress for wet weather and be prepared with a waterproof shell and footwear that holds up in the mud — no matter the time of year. Another helpful hint is to grab a light cooler-bag for keeping snacks and picnics fresh, as food options are sparse.
Unsplash Photos
The National Park fees are pretty consistent across all parks. As a reminder, a week pass per car is $30. There is an Olympic National Park specific annual pass for $55 and the all-encompassing America the Beautiful annual pass (which covers all federal recreation areas, including the National Parks), which costs $80.
For this Olympic National Park itinerary, a park entrance fee is required to reach Hurricane Ridge and Hoh Rain Forest while Lake Crescent and Rialto Beach are available without fees.
What to Wear Hiking in Olympic National Park
For more suggestions, read my posts on my favorite outdoor gear and the best daypacks for women.
The 10 Hiking Essentials
Every hiker should always carry the ten essentials with them. These include:
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- Navigation systems: map, compass, and/or GPS
- Sun protection: sunscreen and/or ballcap
- Insulating layers: synthetic or down jacket, rain jacket, hat, gloves, and leggings
- Illumination (flashlight or headlamp)
- First-aid kit
- Something to light a fire: lighter, waterproof matches, and/or fire starter
- Repair kits and tools: pocket knife, duct tape, screwdriver, and/or scissors
- Emergency shelter: tent, bivy, tarp, and/or space blanket
- Nutrition: food for both meals and snacks
- Hydration: water bottle, water treatment (LifeStraw or SteriPen), and water
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More from Olympic National Park
Three-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary
To get a great feel for the diversity of beaches, rainforest, and mountains, a long weekend in Olympic National Park that explores the northern reaches of the park is the best introduction and can be realistically covered with three days in Olympic National Park.
This “greatest hits” Olympic National Park itinerary starts and ends in the Seattle area but can be combined with longer, more comprehensive journeys that might include another fantastic area of the Washington Coast around Tokeland.
Day 1 — Seattle to Port Angeles
Bainbridge Island Ferry
The ferry experience offers outstanding views of the city. It’s best to try to leave Seattle as early as possible to beat traffic, but at least be on the ferry by noon. While it’s possible to avoid using the ferry (drive via the Tacoma Narrows Bridge), the Seattle to Bainbridge Island ferry is an event in and of itself.
The Coleman Dock is under construction but still very efficient and convenient, being at the core of downtown. More importantly, the sweeping view of Downtown Seattle as the vessel pulls away from the dock will delight any traveler, local or visiting. The panning out feeling while watching the skyline grow, until the Emerald City seems to be able to fit in the palm of a hand, is… magical.
Pro tips: You’ll need to wear a mask in order to go up on deck to drink in the best views, and be sure to deactivate the car alarm — the vibration of the ferry departure tends to set them off which annoys the crew.
Bainbridge to Port Angeles
The drive from Bainbridge to Port Angeles is about 90 minutes of easy driving. If time allows, I enjoy stopping at the Jamestown Tribe complex which has a variety of services, including a casino. Drop-in on the native artwork museum, which is mostly a fun gift shop with an assortment of beautiful native art and souvenirs.
Once at Port Angeles, turn up the hill to the Olympic National Park entrance to the dramatic 17-mile winding road that ascends to Hurricane Ridge. Remember that the park stops allowing cars through the gate at 4 p.m. and everyone must vacate the park completely by 5 p.m. For hikers, allow a few hours to explore. Otherwise, the areas around the viewpoint can be enjoyed in about an hour.
Hurricane Ridge
The roadway to this iconic vista was created years ago to bring visitors as close to nature as possible in an efficient car-borne manner — the attraction doesn’t disappoint. Park and hike the short trail to the vista at the top and gaze in every direction in wonder at views North to Victoria, British Columbia, and South to Mt. Olympus and meadows filled with flowers, goats, and many other living things.
Longer hikes from this trailhead exist as well and in the summertime, especially weekends, this area of the park can be very busy. The winter version of this drive requires traction devices and can often be closed due to the treacherous road conditions.
Overnight in Port Angeles or Lake Crescent
Lake Crescent Lodge is iconic as the place Franklin Roosevelt met with Washington State officials to usher in the final agreement to create the park, back in 1937. The Lake Cresent Lodge sits on a small bit of land that protrudes into the lake just enough to capture inspiring views in many directions.
The lodge is normally operating April through October, with a few weekend options into New Year’s Eve. The lakeside respite is a very popular place for regulars who return every year, so advance bookings are essential to landing a room. Clearly, it’s the perfect addition to your Olympic National Park itinerary.
If this option doesn’t work out, do not worry — Port Angeles is only 20 miles away and has many lodging options to fit all budgets. I like the Red Lion Inn, which sits right on the water, for easy walking to the downtown shops and restaurants as well as the view of the water.
Day 2 — Temperate Rainforest and Crashing Coastal Crests
This is the day to see the diversity of the park, so get up early and plan a picnic. There are some restaurants in Forks, but the charm of this area is enjoying yummy food in a postcard-perfect environment.
Country Aire Market (a co-op in Port Angeles) is always a fun scene to procure picnic supplies. Their made-to-order sandwiches are hiker-approved satisfaction and offerings of healthy snacks and special treats fill the aisles.
Hoh Rain Forest
Photos by Matthew Kessi
This is a shockingly statuesque area of the park, bringing full life to a world dependent upon rain and moisture to line the maples and fir trees crawling with lime-green moss — it seems to form underfoot while walking!
The drive from Port Angeles will take about two hours without stopping, but if you want to break it up you can stretch the legs at the Forever Twilight in Forks Collection when driving through the infamous vampire setting.
Once in the park at the Hoh Rain Forest, an absolute must on your Olympic National Park itinerary, there are two shorter loops that encompass the moss-heavy trees, old-growth forests, ponds, and magical creatures of the area.
The Hall of Mosses (a .8-mile loop) has a slight elevation gain while the Spruce Nature Trail (a 1.2-mile loop) is virtually flat. The Hoh River Trail is 18.5 miles — available to virtually any duration of day-hiking.
Always be prepared with at least an outer layer of a waterproof jacket and hiking shoes that will keep the feet dry. Even when sunny and dry in Port Angeles, Mother Nature dumps rain in the Hoh Valley– up to 140 inches a year– so be prepared!
Rialto Beach, Near Mora Station (Summer Only)
The coastal regions of the park offer soul-nourishing, wide, sandy beaches filled with tide pools against backdrops of dramatic rock stacks — options and variety abound. No Olympic National Park itinerary is complete without adding this to your trip.
Rialto Beach is the best option for accessibility, and at the time of this writing, my favorite (Second Beach) is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Check for updates on the National Park Service site. From Forks take Highway 110 and turn right at Three Rivers Resort toward Mora and Rialto Beach.
Visitors are welcomed by salty winds and sounds of seagulls gliding amongst cedar limbs while walking around driftwood towards the vast churning Pacific Ocean. The wild conditions truly inspire, offering a liberating open space to explore, frolic in the waves (very cold water) and take in the scene from a beach camp complete with picnic offerings.
For a long walk on the beach, consider heading north 1.5 miles to the dramatically carved arch known as “Hole in the Wall.”
Always check tides and be aware of the water conditions, especially in Winter around drift logs.
A sunset picnic would be very romantic and inspiring, but in the darker months, it’s probably better to leave at dark (around 4:30 p.m.) and plan to eat either in Forks or Port Angeles near lodging.
Also, check ahead on the tides to be sure they’ll match the desired experience. Sunset at the beach is magical, but it’s possible to reverse this day to explore the coastline first and then visit the Hoh Rainforest — just confirm opening hours.
Day 3 — Lake Crescent and Return Toward Seattle
Lake Crescent Lodge and Hiking
Plan to enjoy breakfast either before heading out on the final day of your Olympic National Park itinerary or a picnic at the shore of scenic Lake Crescent. Parking is free and there is usually plenty of space.
If you’ve had your fill of hiking and outdoor adventure, the cozy fireplace commanding the lodge lobby can be the place to curl up with a book and cocktail in hand, or one can enjoy an Adirondack chair next to the quiet laps of the lake water on warmer days. If more hiking is on the agenda, then set out on one or more of the many hiking options from this point.
Marymere Falls is a beautiful 90-foot waterfall in and amongst impressive old-growth fir and cedar trees. It provides a mostly accessible trail (1.8 miles roundtrip), until the last few hundred feet. The trek continues up nearly 100 wooden stair steps leading to the thundering falls.
For an uphill challenge to view the lake from an eagle’s view, aspire to reach the summit of 4,500 foot Mt. Storm King (4.4 miles, 2,000-foot elevation gain.)
Finnriver Farm and Cidery
All hiked out and full of oxygen and national park goodness, hop back in the car and head back toward the Emerald City. The return trip is about three hours (accounting for the ferries), and an excellent detour for food and merriment is Finnriver Farm and Cidery. The detour is about 30 minutes off the course, and the festive open-air environment is well worth the stop. What better way to wrap up the weekend Olympic National Park itinerary?
Olympic National Park Itinerary Overview
This Olympic National Park itinerary provides a little bit of everything and an excellent overview of my favorite National Park. Coastal beaches, temperate rainforests, glacial lakes, and mountain vistas will impress any visitor and provide just the right recharge of the spirit in a way only possible amongst the National Park Service. Return home refreshed, maybe a little bit wet, well walked, and inspired.
About the Author: Matthew Kessi of Kessiworld
Matthew Kessi is a travel writer known for infusing a thought-provoking perspective into helpful information about exploring the Pacific Northwest — with a focus on the spirituality found in nature. He has spent a lifetime traveling the planet — over 60 countries — and this global awareness helps inspire a fresh look at his beloved Oregon and Washington. Matthew is on a quest to help you find meaningful connections through travel.
All photos and content in this post are credited to Matthew unless otherwise stated.
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