olympic national park, washington
This diverse park is large and not easily traversed. Ninety-five percent is classified wilderness, and there’s no through road. Extra planning ensures you see all the park’s phenomenal beauty.
Highlights
Take the 1-hour ranger-led Meadow Walk at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center.
Explore the Ruby Beach tide pools in the coastal region of the park.
Earn a view of Mount Olympus by hiking the Hoh River Trail.
BEST TIME TO GO
June through September provide the warmest and driest weather. If you’re wanting to spot wildlife, September is your best month.
CAMPGROUNDS
Kalaloch Campground
Highway 101, Mile Post Marker 157683, WA 98331. nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/camping.htm; 360-565-3130. $14 to $36. Picnic tables, campfire rings, ranger programs.
If you have a smaller RV and love falling asleep to the sound of the ocean, Kalaloch is a magical place. Some sites even have water views, but beware of strong, cold winds coming off the ocean.
This campground isn’t big rig–friendly. Only 9 sites can accommodate rigs longer than 40 feet (12m), and some sites can be uneven and challenging to access.
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Vancouver is a ferry ride away and worth a side trip. |
Although Olympic is one of the most visited national parks, the fact that no road crosses through it keeps the crowds dispersed.
Elwha Dam RV Park
47 Lower Dam Road, Port Angeles, WA 98363. elwhadamrvpark.com; paradise@elwhacreekrvpark.com; 360-452-7054. $40. Horseshoes, recreation hall, playground, outdoor games, pond.
The owners of this park are kind and energetic, and they take great care of their guests. The property is beautifully landscaped and filled with mature trees. Most sites are spacious and big rig–friendly, and the pull-thrus are extra long. Some sites are shaded, and some are in the open. Let them know your preference.
The campground has a rustic and family friendly feel, and the owner’s children even run a dog-walking business so campers can spend their days exploring nearby Olympic National Park and Pacific beaches. Directly from the park, you can access hiking trails that lead to the Elwha River and the former dam site.
Campground Wi-Fi is very slow, but signals from major carriers are strong.
Olympic Peninsula/Port Angeles KOA
80 O’Brien Road, Port Angeles, WA 98362. koa.com/camp/port-angeles; portangeleskoa@wavecable.com; 360-457-5916. March 1 to October 31. $40 to $80. Pool, hot tub, mini-golf, bike rentals.
This KOA is being refurbished by its new owners, who have added a new pavilion and deluxe patio sites. It’s a good base for exploring nearby Olympic National Park and Vancouver Island in British Columbia. If you’re traveling with kids, this is your best option. Ice-cream socials are held every Saturday night, and free hayrides around the park are given on a regularly scheduled basis. Look forward to the movie night and bingo night every weekend. And making tie-dye shirts is a blast. If you need a break from the kids, enjoy the mountain views from the adults-only hot tub.
A major highway borders one side of the campground, so if you’re a light sleeper, ask for a site in a quieter section of the park.
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Sol Duc Falls. |
The mountain goats in Olympic National Park can be aggressive. Rangers recommend staying at least 50 yards (46m) away from them.
RESTAURANTS
Toga’s Soup House
122 W. Lauridsen Boulevard, Port Angeles, WA 98362. togassouphouse.com; info@togassouphouse.com; 360-452-1952. Monday to Friday 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. $8 to $15. Soups and sandwiches.
One of the best things you can do when visiting a national park is pick up a picnic lunch to eat while enjoying panoramic views at the end of a hike. Stop at Toga’s Soup House and load up on delicious sandwiches, salads, and panini. The menu highlights seasonal and local fare and changes monthly.
Five homemade soups are available daily and include a variety of chilis, chowders, and vegetarian offerings. Ask to fill up your thermos.
Blondie’s Plate
134 S. 2nd Avenue, Sequim, WA 98382. blondiesplate.com; 360-683-2233. Sunday to Thursday 4 P.M. to 9 P.M.; Friday and Saturday 4 P.M. to 10 P.M. $15 to $35. Tapas.
Located in an old Episcopal church building, Blondie’s serves small plate dishes with a Northwestern culinary point of view and offers a cozy and delightful place to dine after a day of hiking in the park.
Menu items range from light, vegetable-centered dishes to hearty, comfort food items. Starters like pan-fried oysters, sliders, and crostini topped with local mushrooms are sure to please. If you’re in a coastal state of mind, enjoy the steamers or the crispy-skin salmon. Need a little comfort food to take off the chill? Try the roast chicken, macaroni and cheese, or risotto. The wine offerings are impressive for such a small restaurant, and gluten-free beers are available.
It’s a small space that fills quickly, so make a reservation in advance.
Kalaloch’s Creekside Restaurant
157151 US 101, Forks, WA 98331. thekalalochlodge.com/Dine.aspx; 360-962-2271. Breakfast 7 A.M. to 11 P.M.; lunch 11 A.M. to 5 P.M.; dinner 5 P.M. to 9 P.M. $15 to $50. American.
This is a park concession located in Lalaloch Lodge, with phenomenal scenery. Call ahead to ensure you get a table with a view of the ocean. Outdoor seating is available.
The seafood dishes on the dinner menu are favorites, so try the mussels, wild salmon, or halibut.
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Roosevelt elk. |
Olympic is home to the Northwest’s largest unmanaged herd of Roosevelt elk, named to honor President Theodore Roosevelt and his efforts to conserve their habitat.
ATTRACTIONS
Hoh Rain Forest
Upper Hoh Road, Forks, WA 98331. anps.gov/olym; 360-565-3130. Hours vary by season. Entrance included with park’s $20 7-day vehicle pass.
On the west side of the park, this area receives up to 170 inches (432cm) of precipitation each year but is green, lush, and mostly dry during the summer months.
Start at the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center to map out your day and hike the two short nature trails. The 31-mile (50km) Hoh River Trail starts here as well.
Wilderness Coast
Kalaloch Ranger Station. nps.gov/olym. Open summer. Entrance included with park’s $20 7-day vehicle pass.
Olympic National Park includes 73 miles (117.5km) of wilderness coastline, and Kalaloch, Ruby Beach, and Beach 4 on the southern end are the most popular. The Kalaloch Ranger Station, open through the summer, offers interpretative programs and access to an easy 1-mile (1.6km) loop trail. Be sure to check the tidal charts upon arrival to ensure you can enjoy the tide pools without getting trapped by incoming water.
You have to take a winding path to access Ruby Beach, but the effort is worth the views of driftwood, beach shrubs, and huge rocks rising out of the ocean. Keep your eyes peeled for sea otters, deer, and bald eagles.
Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane Ridge Road, Olympic National Park, WA 98362. nps.gov/olym; 360-565-3130. Hours vary by season. Entrance included with park’s $20 7-day vehicle pass.
The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center is located at the end of a 17-mile (27km) road that runs south of Port Angeles. Drive straight through, spend time at the visitor center, and then stop at chosen places along the drive back. An educational orientation movie and many ranger-led programs run frequently during the summer.
Many trails are accessible from the center, including the Cirque Rim, Big Meadow, and High Ridge, all under 1 mile (1.6km) round-trip. Hurricane Hill is a bit more challenging at 3 miles (4.8km) round-trip, leading to breathtaking views of the coast and mountains.
Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to see abundant wildlife. Olympic marmots are a favorite animal to spot, but also look for deer, bear, and mountain goats.
ITINERARIES
If you have 1 week …
Drive to Hurricane Ridge, and take a ranger-led walk. Hike Hurricane Hill and Klahhane Ridge. Visit Hoh Rain Forest, hiking the Hall of Mosses and the Spruce Nature Trail. Start your coastal explorations at the Kalaloch Ranger Station.
If you have 2 weeks …
All the above, plus take the short hike to Sol Duc Falls. Go elk spotting on the Rain Forest Loop Drive, and see the 191-foot (58m) Sitka spruce in Quinault Rain Forest. Visit Lake Crescent, and hike to Marymere Falls. Splash around at Rialto Beach.
If you have 3 weeks …
Consider driving the entire Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive, which is more than 300 miles (482km) and takes you through all four ecosystems in the park. Plan on spending at least 4 days in each area to fully explore the hiking and attractions. Explore the small towns of Sequim, Leavenworth, and Port Townsend.