Are we there yet? Read More. Second beach requires a short hike and Third beach requires a 1.2 mile hike through dense forest. Be sure to add this trip to your USA bucket list! This was a women's only small intimate group. Here's how to make the most of 2 days in the park. If you want one of the best weekend trips from Seattle that's active, you can go kayaking, take a boat tour of the area, or go on a hike. There you have it some of the best places to stop during an Olympic Peninsula road trip! . If youre not from the area, we highly recommend spending at least a day or two exploring Seattle. Read on for my adventure-filled, 3 Day Olympic Peninsula Weekend Trip. There are challenging multi-day hikes to the Mount Olympus summit for the more advanced hikers. Take time to discover and explore the miniature world of tide pools on the Olympic Peninsula's Pacific coastal and Strait of Juan de Fuca beaches. I did this as a winter hike and enjoyed a thin blanket of snow during my walk. Allow at least a few hours to enjoy the lake, youll find you could easily spend the entire day here as this is one of the most popular stops during an Olympic Peninsula weekend trip. Saturday is going to be a very difficult travel day in this part of the Olympic Peninsula. The Olympic National Park was unlike anything I've seen, and we can't wait to return someday soon. Port Angeles is the biggest gateway community for Olympic National Park and a hub of economic activity on the Olympic Peninsula. Be aware of tides when visiting any beach on the Olympic Peninsula, especially if hiking or camping near water. Your next stop is beautiful Lake Crescent. Check out the Forks Timber Museum for a taste of Northwest history. In the late afternoon, drive 30 minutes to Sol Duc. The park is vast and spreads across the Olympic Peninsula so you will be driving in and out of the park on your journey. 1. Olympic National Park. If you're looking for somewhere to fly fish, this spot is for you. When it is finally time to leave the valley, head back out to the highway and drive south to Kalaloch Beach. Youll travel through the northwest corner of, Turn right onto WA-110 (La Push Road) and continue west toward the town of, Follow WA-110 (La Push Road) back to U.S. Highway 101 and make the short drive to. Try to get on the road between 7-8 AM to make sure you have enough time! And this Olympic Peninsula Loop is sure to deliver an adventure of a lifetime! How to Plan the Perfect Olympic Peninsula Road Trip. The result is a rich and vibrant forest with an abundance of unique plant life, some of which is endemic to the Olympic Peninsula. Once on dry land, travel north on the Kitsap Peninsula via Washington State Route 3. After lunch, take a hike at Mount Walker or Dosewallips State Park before heading on to Port Townsend to check out the town. Try using these powerful travel affirmations! Some great ideas for when we get back there!! Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge 40 minutes (19.8 miles). Once youre done exploring this magical rainforest, you can head out to one of the access points on the wild Olympic Coast and explore the vast coastlines at Rialto Beach. It's famous for hiking, camping, and of course, going on a legendary Olympic . The forest experiences an average of 140 inches of rain per year. It is a beautiful 90-minute journey from Lake Crescent. We explored many parts of this corner of the Pacific Northwest, including Olympic National Park, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Sequim, and Port Ludlow.. There's so much to see, do, eat and drink on the Olympic Peninsula. It is approximately 2.5 hours drive time from Seattle to the Visitors Center in Port Angeles. My hope is that my reality will inspire others to seek similar satisfaction in their every day journey. 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My favorite time to visit the Olympic Peninsula is May through September, and this is when youll have the driest weather and enjoy hot weather in July and August if you want to go swimming. best things to do in the Pacific Northwest, Tips for Planning an Olympic Peninsula Road Trip, The Best Time to Go on an Olympic Peninsula Road Trip, What to Pack for an Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive, Where to Stay on an Olympic Peninsula Road Trip, 14 Must-See Stops on an Olympic Peninsula Road Trip, The Ultimate Olympic Peninsula Road Trip Itinerary, Day 1: Spend the Day in Port Angeles and Olympic National Park, Day 2: Explore Elwha Valley and Lake Crescent, Day 3: Visit Forks, Hoh Rainforest, and the Olympic Coast, best places to stay in Olympic National Park, guided tour of the Hoh Rainforest and Rialto Beach, 2 Days in Death Valley: The Ultimate Death Valley Itinerary. Port Angeles to Lake Crescent Drive time: 1 hour 15 minutes. The main attraction found on the peninsula is The Olympic National Park. It offers a 0.25-mile easy trail and is a perfect place for spending the afternoon exploring or going on a short hike. 3. Thanks for this road trip idea, adding it to my road trip bucket list for this year . . Enjoy a peaceful slumber near scenic nature. This means youll need to plan your trip accordingly and either leave early or leave late. the water for the afternoon. This is also the perfect place to have lunch or a picnic. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". People come from all over the state to see the lavender when its in bloom. Known for roaming Roosevelt elk and flying squirrels. Theres ample parking on site and outhouse toilets. This is a great place to relax during the mid-point of your Olympic National park road trip. The area is very easy to explore utilizing the Trail of Mosses and Spruce Nature hiking trails. On the way back, make sure to put Lake Quinault on your Olympic Peninsula road trip itinerary. Also, Ruby Beach is a worthwhile stop. However, this will vary depending on where you stop and how long you stop there for. American National Parks. You can hike to a series of hot springs and alpine lakes found along the Hot Springs Road. Port Angeles is known as a hub for outdoor activity but the city itself is also worth exploring. If you want to start your Olympic loop road trip on the south side of the Peninsula, youll get off at I-5 in Olympia and take US-101 N from there. The Olympic Coast is where Sitka spruce and western hemlock reach heights of up to 300 feet due to the high rainfall in this region. Backpackers can enjoy the 37-mile round-trip hike all of the way to Mount Olympus Blue Glacier! The beaches and the wilderness are so enchanting. To fully appreciate this spectacular area, you will undoubtedly want to do some hiking. There's two trailheads for this route- the trek from the lower trailhead is definitely a butt-kicker- raising 3,270 ft in just 3.3 miles. Spend The Morning In Port Angeles, Washington. There are also whale watching and sailing trips available for an exciting afternoon. We will be spending the majority of our trip on the Olympic Peninsula. The mineral rich water is excellent for our bodies, not to mention a great way to relax while exploring the Olympic Peninsula. At night, you can find live music at different bars around town. This hike-filled 3-day Glacier National Park itinerary is perfect for visitors with limited time. Post . You can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing and more during the winter months at Olympic National Park. Day 3: Salt Creek Recreation Area to Forks. This special place is also a great family vacation A weekend on the . Though the hike was short we spent 2 hours on this trail, thanks to the stunning surroundings and our luck in weather. . Be sure to visit the national park website before visiting to check for any current closures. While its now decommissioned, it provides some beautiful photography shots to end your Olympic National Park loop drive. Hurricane Ridge is one of the best hikes on the Olympic Peninsula, so youll want to put this on your drive around the Olympic Peninsula. Fun Fact: Lake Crescent is the second deepest lake in Washington afterLake Chelan. Here you'll find tips, info, and inspo on planning your next adventure and crafting a life you love! It can certainly be done in a shorter amount of time, but if you want to see and do it all, youll need at least six days for your Olympic Peninsula road trip. Drive: ~1 hours. Tip: Ruby Beach is excellent at low tide thanks to its breathtaking tide pools. Posted On January 22, 2020 Last Updated on July 12, 2021 A weekend in Port Angeles is a change of pace and scenery from Seattle and approachable at an hour and a half drive plus a ferry ride. Find a place to stay with this handy guide to Lodging in the Northwest. There are some stunning historic buildings downtown to check out if you like architecture. Waterfalls on Hood Canal and Olympic Peninsula around the Olympic National Park are accessible and great year round. On the Olympic Peninsula road trip itinerary at the end of this article, I suggest close places to stay each night. A Year in Review . Both hikes are accessible from the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center lot and are appropriate for all skill levels. You can also stop year-round at stores such as Purple Haze Organic Lavender Farm and Olympic Lavender Company. Print/PDF Map. Youll see magnificent massive trees draped in mosses and lichen, uncounted shades of green, and life growing everywhere you look. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Search Site. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Another route is to take the Seattle ferry to Bainbridge Island and drive through the island to reach the Olympic Peninsula. Travel south on U.S. 101 through the towns of Hoquiam and Aberdeen. Strap on a pair of ice skates and pirouette your way across the Olympic Peninsulas , Forty-nine peaks over 6,500 feet, more than 600 miles of trails, 266 glaciers. Stop in at the Hoh River Visitor Center to learn more about this magnificent landscape. Twilight not your thing? The road from Poulsbo to Sequim is going to back up even worse than usual. Prices start at $180 per night, and . Forks is a quiet, logging community turned tourist destination thanks to the teen vampire phenomenon, Twilight. Breakfast In Port Angeles, Washington; Hike Sol Duc Falls; Soak In Sol Duc Hot Springs; Check Out The Salmon Cascades ; Spend The Afternoon On Lake Crescent. We spent about 10 minutes here, unfortunately we missed the salmon during our visit in late October. There are some fantastic restaurants here as well, as kid-friendly breweries such as Barhop Brewing and Artisan Pizza. 1-, 2- or 3-day Trips and Week-Long Excursions. Check out our list of 250 best road trip conversation starters to keep the whole car entertained along the way! Formerly the 1890s home of Mayor Charles and Kate Eisenbeis, the Manresa . This is where the restoration project removed the dam and added it back to the longest river course in the Olympic Peninsula. Sequim hosts the annual Lavender Festival during July, and many people come from Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula just for this. Top off your Lake Crescent visit with a paddle on crystal-clear waters. This bridge was originally built in the 1920s for a logging railroad and was the second-highest railroad bridge in the country for years. This is the perfect weekend trip from Seattle, where you can drive through the park and see the highlights! Olympic National Park is one of my favorite places and I am thrilled to get to share it here, where your focus is on experiences instead of things. During summer, be prepared for traffic and ferry delays. 2022 Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission. In fact, the worlds largest Sitka Spruce is here, so youll want to get a picture of the massive tree. Check out this 329.2-mile loop trail near Olympia, Washington. Tip: If youre short on time you can still see the lake from US 101, which follows the southern shoreline of Lake Crescent for 10.3 miles. Olympic National Park is an insanely beautiful place. You can no longer walk on the bridge due to safety concerns, but its fun to visit and imagine how life was when it was in use. For information on current road conditions visit wsdot.wa.gov. The highlights of this Olympic Peninsula road trip include the Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park and the Washington Coast. This is the largest town on your trip, so be sure to pick up any needed supplies. Below are additional Olympic Peninsula and Pacific Northwest guides or head on over to Visit Olympic Peninsula! $294.68. Picnic Lunch at Ruby Beach or Kalaloch Lodge Hohs most prominent residents are the massive, old-growth Spruce and Hemlock trees engulfed in hanging mosses and ferns and they are quite the sight! Thanks for giving me an insight into this gorgeous destination. Sol Duc Falls Trailhead to Lake Crescent 35 minutes (20.8 miles). These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. In the morning on your Olympic Peninsula drive, leave from Port Angeles and head west on the Highway towards the Elwha River Valley. Day 5: Kalaloch to Lake Quinault. So, I reached out to fellow travel blogger, and Seattle local, Erica from Tripscholars. This guide gives you tips on preparing for your Olympic Peninsula loop drive, where to stop, and where to stay. Combined they are only two miles of easy walking. Plan to visit for a couple of hours. There are easy spots, but know you will need to crawl over a log or two. The Olympic Peninsula provides an abundance of stunning coastline and beaches, and Ruby Beach is one of the best Olympic Peninsula beaches. Our original 4 day trip ended up just being 2 days, one night but it was still great. At this time, you can purchase remarkable things made from the local lavender farms. Olympic National Park covers nearly 1 million acres, a majority of the peninsula, so many of the stops below will require a purchased National Park Pass. From Forks, travel south on U.S. Highway 101 for 13 miles, then head east on Upper Hoh Road. The waterfall is comprised of four channels and cascades nearly 50 feet into a narrow, rocky canyon. After our weekend trip to the Olympic Peninsula, the verdict was in on the space issue as well. For an even more unplugged vacation, keep heading west on Highway 101, circling Olympic National Park and visiting its amazing . This will take a little longer since youll be going on roads with slower speed limits. You could easily spend a week or more exploring around the Olympic Peninsula and all it has to offer, but if you only have a weekend you can still see a lot of sites with a two day Olympic National Park . Im so glad to hear that, Shruti! Olympic National Park is an outdoor lovers dream. Just have a weekend to get away? Road trips are more fun when you are prepared! These include Carnegie Library and the Jefferson County courthouse. Marvel at the lush rainforest, ancient trees, and abundance of mushrooms on your way to Sol Duc Falls. You can also look at the National Park Service websiteand check the road conditions in the morning. PIN THIS OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK ITINERARY FOR YOUR NEXT VISIT! The rumor is a local company has been in talks to stabilize the bridge and make it become a spot to bungee jump from, so stay tuned if you love adventure. Instead of exploring the coastline, you can explore mineral hot springs and waterfalls. It's famous for hiking, camping, and of course, going on a legendary Olympic Peninsula road trip. There are a variety of businesses still capitalizing on the famous books and movies. I always love stopping here on an Olympic National Park loop drive during the morning, as the town is still relatively quiet. Campsites range from $15-$22 a night, and all but three of them are first-come / first-served.. Kalaloch (a large site on the Pacific Ocean), Sol Duc (a riverside campground tucked in old growth forest), and Mora are the exceptions. Take your time exploring this region, as its undoubtedly one of a kind. Stopping here is a great way to take a break from driving and stretch your legs. If you're seeking a great destination for a long weekend or setting up a base for a few days consider checking out a sister article, Weekend getaway: The five best Washington State beach locations. If you are adding extra days to your trip, this is the top pick for extra time! From Seattle, the Olympic Peninsula is just a short ferry ride and drive away. Alternatively, you can decide to head west to Forks for the night, so youll be further west at the start of the following day. . Today you will be exploring some of the most extraordinary beaches on the west coast. National Parks Usa. The Seattle- Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is easy to access from all over the country. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. After a great day of exploring, head back to explore Port Angeles attractions and enjoy a meal in town. Drive time: 45 minutes, Hoh Rain Forest to Ruby Beach Port Ludlow is a beautiful, tiny port town on the Olympic Peninsula and unless you're trying to get there, you'll miss it. Olympic Peninsula Weekend Trip - Day 1. Ruby Beach is a stretch of classically rocky Washington beach where the Pacific ocean pounds into the Olympic Peninsula. Here you will adventure to an old ice glacier-carved valley. Its still fun to see the random signs and memorabilia around the city. Day 1: Seattle to Port Townsend via the Kitsap Peninsula. Iconic rivers, deep lakes, and 22 waterfalls. Ruby Beach to La Push, Washington 55 minutes (42.5 miles). Erica is super passionate about the area and the perfect person to share all the details for your next Olympic Peninsula road trip! For the last stop on your three days in Olympic National Park, make a stop at Vance Creek Bridge. Not only is it home to four of the world's few remaining intact temperate rainforests, but it has a breathtaking coastline and incredible alpine peaks. Sol Duc Hot Springs Resortoffers three Mineral Hot Spring pools and one Freshwater Pool. And for those who want to get back in the water, Westport has some of the best surfing in the state. SCUBA divers can go on a guided dive or fill their tanks and get dive site advice at the local diving center. Your email address will not be published. Wherever I go, my goal is to inspire you to travel there with my travel tips. Olympic National Park is one of the gems of the Pacific Northwest and this six day road from Seattle will get you out on the water, up into the mountains, hiking in the rainforest, and tide pooling on pristine beaches. Traveling to the Olympic Peninsula? After your lavender farm tour, head to the food court for lavender-flavored ice cream. Drive time: 1 hour 30 minutes. Great road trip plan! La Push is an iconic stop for those seeking the best of the Northwest. Croatia Yoga and Self love retreat. American National Parks - United States, Canada, and Mexico. Seen By Amy contains affiliate links including those as an Amazon Affiliate. As breezes blow away the morning mist, you'll discover dozens of fascinating tide pools with sea stars and urchins and other critters scurring about in the tide pools. This makes me want to go even more what a beeeautiful area. Day 2: Port Townsend to Salt Creek Recreation Area. That is also the order that this Olympic Peninsula itinerary is in, but you can reverse it to adjust to your schedule. Because its a seaside town, there is an abundance of water sports and fun activities. Awesome!! Have wildly inspiring travel news delivered to your inbox. Its a 25-mile drive from Port Angeles and is a must-see for any visitor. Youll find a few viewpoints along your drive. Know Before you Go: Two tips before you head out. Plan a two-night trip north to experience what the region has to offer. per adult. You can take a full-day excursion from Port Angeles to explore Hurricane Ridge and Marymere Falls during your Olympic Peninsula loop road trip. You can customize your road trip from Seattle as much as you want. First stop is out to the northeast tip of the peninsula, historic Port Townsend. I did a similar trip in 2019, but we only had two days. You can also take a guided tour of the Hoh Rainforest and Rialto Beach. All Right Reserved. Im Julie, a North Carolina Mama obsessed with coffee, quotes, self care, and sunsets. June 21, 2018. That's more than double the fuel economy of our current car. The Olympic Peninsula is an easy drive from Portland. Was to be the Olympic Peninsula with hikes through Marymere Falls, Devil's Punchbowl and Hall of Moses. For a weekend adventure, the west side of Hood Canal is easy to access. I recommend stopping at the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center first to get a map of the area while driving the Olympic Peninsula loop. There are two short loop trails through the lush rainforest that start near the Visitor Center. Feel free to adjust it as you need or pick and choose activities to accommodate your time frame. Winter is not out of the question, but the main downside is that some activities will be limited due to snow. Veprinac, Kroatien. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". As you can see from this Olympic Peninsula road map, this area is on the west side of the state. Its located in the southwest of Port Angeles and is the perfect place for any nature lover whos looking for a quick stop. Twihards may be disappointed to know the blockbuster films werent actually filmed in Forks but instead primarily around Oregon and British Columbia. Nestled right outside Sequim on the coast sits a natural sand spit. Private and Luxury. Its a fascinating 5.5-mile sand spit reaching out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca from the northern shores of the Peninsula. . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. I really enjoyed contributing to your site. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. February 27, 2020 Tori Peglar. Adventures on the Olympic Peninsula are an easy long weekend getaway in Washington or a series of awesome road trip stops along the way. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. You can enjoy a stunning walk along the coast, with a plethora of marine life that is easy to spot from the rocks. Grand Canyon, South Rim Day Trip The Grand Canyon is one of those natural wonders that is listed on so many people's bucket lists, and . Fall is the perfect time for a stress relief visit to the Olympic Peninsula. We also managed to fit a cooler and extra blankets. Youll find unrivaled views from Ediz Hook. Located just 11 miles north of Lake Cushman, Mount Ellinor offers the most accessible summit in the peninsula, with jaw-dropping 360 degree views of the surrounding Olympic Mountains. Things To Do At Lake Crescent In Olympic National Park; Return to Port Angeles ; Olympic Peninsula Weekend Trip - Day 2 View sea stacks and driftwood logs worn smooth by the elements. . If youre coming from out of state, you could spend one day in Seattle first and then head up to Port Angles to begin your vacation. Due to travel restrictions our itinerary only allowed a half day here. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". From 950. We based our trip out of Port Angeles, Washington. The spring through fall are the most popular times to visit with summer being the busiest season. We want to be immersed in beauty and grandeur - forests with giant trees, beautiful, rugged beaches, etc. Get our free travel planner to make the most of your visit. This article has been updated, and its facts are current as of March 2022. While you may decide to head home at this point, you can also extend your trip by one more night if you want to be rested first. Pro Travel Tip: Hurricane Ridge gets snowfall autumn through spring, and the road isnt always open. Lake Quinault also has boat rentals available if you want more time on the water. This lush, temperate rainforest sees an average of 140 inches of rainfall per year (thats almost 12 feet!).
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