Olympic National Park is a unique area in Washington that has lush rainforests, towering mountains, and pristine coastlines. The trees throughout the park stand out the most as they are a majestic sight. Towering evergreens dominate the landscape, including ancient Sitka spruces, Douglas firs, and Western hemlocks. Whether you are hiking among the lush vegetation or simply admiring its beauty, the trees throughout this Olympic National Park itinerary will give you plenty of beauty to admire. Let’s dive in and discover the best of Olympic National Park in just three days!
TIPS
- Check out the official Olympic National Park Website to read important information regarding fees, hikes, maps, hours, and more.
- Purchase your entrance pass ahead of time
- Get to each location early! I cannot stress this one enough. Trails can get packed and parking can be difficult during the day.
Where To Stay In Olympic National Park
Lake Crescent Lodge is one of only a few lodges in the park and is beautifully situated next to the stunning lake, with trails within walking distance from the lodge. Port Angeles is located in a quaint town with restaurants and shops and can be the more affordable option.
Lake Cresent and Port Angeles are my recommended accommodation locations for this 3-day Olympic National Park Itinerary. However, you may opt to stay in Forks for one of the nights as it is closer to the day 3 activities. In this case, I would recommend the Forks Motel. Forks is a small town with limited accommodations and restaurants.
Accommodation Location Options:
Port Angeles
Lake Crescent
How To Get To Olympic National Park
Prior to your first day in Olympic National Park, drive to your first accommodation in Port Angeles or Lake Crescent from the Seattle -Tacoma International Airport (SEA), about 2 and a half hours.
Day 1: Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane ridge
Get an early start to avoid the crowd and see Hurricane Ridge. This is a very popular part of the park and you will get to see stunning views from the hike. The ascent towards the ridge might challenge your stamina, but with every step, the views grow increasingly more beautiful. At the summit, 5,242 feet above sea level, you are greeted with panoramic vistas of rugged mountains, lush alpine meadows, and a stunning outlook over the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Olympic national park visitor’s center
On your way to Port Angeles, stop at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center. It offers essential information, maps, and expert guidance to enhance your visit. There are also fascinating exhibits about the park’s ecosystem and cultural heritage.
Port Angeles
Once you get to Port Angeles, walk around the quaint town. There is a Waterfront Trail, where you can walk along a paved path by the water and watch the large ships come and go. There are also boutique shops to walk through. Additionally, make sure to go to The Wharf as there is an incredible ice cream shop called Welly’s Ice Cream, an arcade, an art store, and more.
Get food at one of the restaurants in town such as Bella Italia, Strait Slice, Sabai Thai, or Next Door Gastropub.
I got my favorite pair of sunglasses at MOSS in Port Angeles! Check the sunglasses out here!
After walking around Port Angeles, this concludes the first day of your Olympic National Park itinerary. Either head to your accommodation just a few minutes away in Port Angeles, or drive about 30 minutes to your accommodation in Lake Crescent. As per usual on hiking trips, get some sleep as you want to rise early tomorrow!
Day 2: Sol Duc and Lake Crescent
Sol Duc
Start your day early, and drive to Sol Duc (about an hour from Port Angeles or about 40 minutes from Lake Crescent) and hike the Sol Duc Falls Trail. This is a great introduction to the beautiful forests of the park and includes a waterfall. This is an easy out-and-back trail that is 1.6 miles roundtrip.
Lake crescent
Next, drive 40 minutes to Lake Crescent. Here, you will see the stunning blue waters of Lake Crescent as well as do a few spectacular hikes. Start with the hard hike to Mount Storm King. The round trip length of this out-and-back hike is 4.1 miles and includes consistent inclines of switchbacks. Additionally, there are a few sections towards the top in which you have to rely on a rope to help bring yourself up steep rocks. Make sure you are prepared for this challenging hike because it is very worth it! Once you get to the top, you are greeted with a spectacular view of crystal blue water, surrounded by mountains. Spend some time catching your breath and admiring the stunning view.
After you descend Mount Storm King, go to the left to continue on the Marymere Falls Trail which is 1.7-miles round trip to see a tall waterfall and more stunning trees in the forest. I seriously could not take my eyes off these luscious green trees, coated with long strands of moss!
After this last hike, get food at the Lake Crescent Lodge. Then, make sure to take a closer look at the gorgeous crystal blue water of Lake Crescent by relaxing by it or going swimming or kayaking to truly experience it up close.
If you are staying in Lake Crescent: Spend the rest of the day swimming, kayaking, relaxing by the lake, or taking another stroll through a scenic walk by the lodge. Get dinner at the Lake Crescent Lodge.
If you are staying in Port Angeles: Spend the rest of the day walking around the town, getting dinner somewhere that caught your eye the day before.
Day 3: Hoh Rainforest and Beaches
During the last day of your 3-Day Olympic National Park itinerary, you will have the opportunity to visit a magical rainforest and beautiful beaches.
hoh rainforest
To start, wake up early and go to the Hoh Rainforest. This is about a 1 hour and 30-minute drive from Lake Crescent or a 2-hour drive from Port Angeles and it is critical to get a head start here. The line to enter this area of the park can get EXTREMELY long, so go early! There are a few hikes from here, but I would highly recommend the quick and easy, 1-mile walk through the Hall Of Mosses. Here you will see endless trees with spectacular moss covering them. It is truly a sight I never got sick of seeing! This walk felt so calming and truly magical! If you want more, walk part of the other trails such as Hoh Lake Trail.
forks
Next, drive through Forks to stop for breakfast. There are a lot of small coffee stands here if you are looking for something quick such as A Shot In the Dark or Mocha Motion. Otherwise, the Inn Place is your best bet, serving classic diner food such as pancakes, eggs, and sandwiches. Just be prepared as it can get busy at the Inn Place and service can be slow.
Rialto beach
Then, start your exploration of the beaches! The first beach you should explore is Rialto Beach, about 20 minutes from Forks. The highlight here is to hike Hole In the Wall in which you walk a total of 3.3 miles on the sand to large rock structures, one with a large hole through it. Make sure to explore the tide pools around here as well.
La push beaches
Next, drive 15 minutes to La Push Beaches. My favorite beach here is the Second La Push Beach. It is a 1-mile hike through the forest to this stunning, wide-open beach. You can spend time here watching the waves crash into the glistening sand.
Kalaloch Beach
Next, make a quick stop about 10 minutes down the road to Kalaloch Beach, where you will see the Tree Of Life. This is a very unique-looking tree with an interesting root system. Definitely worth a photo!
More Time in Olympic National Park?
If you have more time, then check out this 4 or 5-day Olympic National Park Itinerary.
This concludes your 3-day Olympic National Park itinerary. I hope you get to experience the spectacular Olympic National Park! From the incredible hikes to the stunning beaches to the unique trees, this park will impress you!
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