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Olympic National Park is a unique area in Washington that has magical rainforests and stunning beaches. 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.

The best way to see Olympic National Park is to do a small road trip, staying in a few locations. This expansive area has plenty to see and you will want to explore all of these unique areas. This Olympic National Park itinerary is perfect for 4 or 5 days. However, if you have less time then take out another full day. If you have more time, spread out your days for longer exploration time at each location or add Staircase to your itinerary at the end.

Check out this 3-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary.

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.

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: 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.

Port Angeles

If you are staying in Port Angeles, make your way back with about a 30-minute drive and get cleaned up before exploring the town and getting dinner. 

Go to dinner (food options in Port Angeles include Bella Italia, Strait Slice, Sabai Thai, or Next Door Gastropub). Then, walk around the quaint town. There are 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. 

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. As per usual on hiking trips, get some sleep as you want to rise early tomorrow!

Day 2: Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane ridge

Get another 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.

If you are staying in Lake Crescent: Spend the rest of the day swimming, kayaking, relaxing by the lake, or taking a stroll through a scenic walk by the lodge.

If you are staying in Port Angeles: Spend the rest of the day walking around the town.

Day 3: Cape Flattery And Shi Shi Beach

Skip this day to make your Olympic National Park itinerary 4 days.

cape flattery

This is a bonus day, and if you are short on time then skip this day as it is a little out of the way. However, if you do have the time then it is very much worth it as Cape Flattery is the northernmost point of the contiguous United States! You will start by doing a quick hike on the Cape Flattery Trail to see views of the stunning ocean. 

Note: You will need a separate pass as you are entering the Makah Reservation. There are many locations to purchase this pass on the way to Cape Flattery. I would recommend picking it up at the Makah Mini Mart by asking to purchase a pass at the cash register. Find more information about the pass here.

Shi Shi Beach

Then, if you are up for it, do an 8-mile hike to Shi Shi Beach. I absolutely loved this hike as you walk through the forest with the beautiful trees surrounding you for half the distance, and then you walk on the beach for the second half. On the beach, you will see some tents as many people camp overnight. What a way to wake up in the morning!

Note: The hike to Shi Shi Beach is known for being muddy, so be prepared!

After your legs can’t take any more walking, start your drive to Forks or Kalaloch for your next accommodation.

Forks or Kalaloch

Forks is a small town with not too much to do, so go straight to dinner. My recommendation is Tip and Sip, a brewery with decent paninis. But, do note that many of the restaurants close early in the evening in Forks. After you eat, get some rest.

Or, if staying in Kalaloch then enjoy the views of the ocean crashing into the beach and eat dinner at Creekside Restaurant at the lodge.

Day 4: Hoh Rainforest and Beaches

During your next day at Olympic National Park, you will have the opportunity to visit beautiful beaches. However, some of the best ones may require a short hike to reach them.

hoh rainforest

To start, wake up early and go to the Hoh Rainforest. This is about a 45-minute drive from Forks or a 55-minute drive from Kalaloch and 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 back 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! Next, continue on to your final destination to Lake Quinault, just another 30 minutes.

Day 5: Lake Quinault

Lake Quinault

On your final day in Olympic National Park, enjoy the serenity of Lake Quinault. Start your day walking on the Lake Quinault Loop Trail, just steps from the Lake Quinault Lodge. You will walk deep in the forest, coming across a few waterfalls. Next, visit the World’s Largest Sitka Spruce. This is an easy walk to a very large tree! Spend the rest of your day relaxing by the glistening water. Restaurant options are the Salmon House or the Roosevelt Dining Room.

More Time in Olympic National Park?

If you do have more time, spend your final day hiking in Staircase, a hidden gem of the park. Tucked away in the lush forest along the Skokomish River, this tranquil area offers a picturesque setting for hiking through scenic trails, waterfalls, and river views.

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This concludes your 4 or 5-day Olympic National Park itinerary. I hope you get to experience this outstanding Olympic National Park itinerary! From the incredible hikes to the stunning beaches to the unique trees, this park will impress you!

Check out this 3-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary.

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