Olympic Peninsula Road Trip: Explore Washington’s Wilderness

Hurricane Ridge Scenic Drive – This very popular scenic drive is one of the most stunning and RV accessible drives in the park. The route to the top is an 18-mile winding and ascending drive that takes you through dense forests and alpine ice-covered peaks. Enjoy unbelievable interior views of the Olympic Mountains and the Straights of Juan de Fuca as you make your way to the grand prize, the vista point of Hurricane Ridge. Explore the visitors center and hike several trails of varying difficulty.

Lake Crescent – This sapphire-colored lake is the perfect destination for those who want to sit back, relax and take in Olympic National Park’s epic beauty without getting sweaty. There are numerous picnic areas around the lake (Fairholme, La Poel and Bovee’s Meadow are just a few) as well as a number of docks for you to sit on and kick back. If you’re looking for lake activity, fear not! You can canoe, kayak, and sail on the bluest of blue lakes.

Take a Ferry to Victoria, B.C. – Enjoy the charm of Victoria, British Columbia, for a great day trip aboard a passenger ferry.

Shopping in Port Angeles – There are plenty of unique boutiques, one-of-a-kind local shops, and antique shopping in downtown Port Angeles.

Dining in Port Angeles – With fresh seafood, farm-to-table experiences, chic wineries, and hip brew pubs, Port Angeles’ culinary scene should not be overlooked while you are exploring Olympic National Park.

Mineral Spring Baths – Take a healing soak in the natural mineral springs at the Sol Duc Falls Hot Springs Resort RV Park and Campground. They offer massages if you are sore from hiking or driving!

Hiking – Several trails are available in this area, but the easy trail to Sol Duc Falls starts just past Soll Duc Hot Springs and Resort. At 0.8 mile the falls come into view.

Marymere Falls – This 90-foot waterfall is one of the most popular landmarks in Olympic National Park. The meandering trail to the falls is easy and peppered with beautiful old growth.

Lover’s Lane Loop – This 6-mile loop connects the resort and Sol Duc Falls. The trail starts at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and follows the river upstream, through lush forests of Douglas Fir and Hemlock, before crossing the footbridge at the falls, and looping back to the resort.

Hiking the Remote Inland Wilderness – There are also some longer day hikes to remote alpine lakes, like Mink Lake (5 miles roundtrip from the resort) and Deer Lake (8 miles roundtrip from the Sol Duc Trailhead). These should only be attempted by more experienced hikers with adequate food, water, and equipment.

Olympic Loop Birding Trail – This trail features more than 200 of Washington State’s 346 known bird species. Begin at the Nisqually River Delta in south Puget Sound and end at Cape Flattery in the northwest corner of the Olympic Peninsula, tracing the route of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Hoh Rainforest – This is one of the most popular places to visit in the park. The Hoh Rainforest is the largest temperate rainforest in the United States. Its hiking trails are riddled with old-growth, lush flora, and a low hum of the Sol Duc River. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the unique ecosystem and allow your senses to take in the overload of greenery. The trails are accessible to folks of all ages.

Twilight Tour – for all things Twilight, consider a self-guided tour of key filming locations. The Forks Chamber of Commerce offers a free five-day Twilight tour guide. There are several private tours available as well.

Logging & Mill Tour – Consider taking a tour to learn about logging and milling wood. The tours start at the Forks Visitor Center.

John’s Beachcombing Museum – This charming museum is a great place to go for all things beachy. The museum has been collecting items from local beaches and beyond since 1976. It’s one of the more unique attractions in the area.

Neah Bay – Explore pristine beaches and the rainforests on the northwestern tip of Olympic Peninsula at Neah Bay, home to the Makah tribe. An estimated 1,500 Makah people live in and around Neah Bay today. You can learn about Makah traditions and history at The Makah Cultural and Research Center Museum.

Rialto Beach – Hike the 2-mile Hole-in-the-Wall trail from Rialto Beach. Begin at the Rialto Beach parking area and watch for whales, sea lions, and otters offshore, while a variety of sea birds hover overhead. Depending on the time of year, you may have to get your feet wet as you cross Ellen Creek.

La Push – One of several Native American beachside locations that is adjacent to Olympic National Park land. The Quileute tribe has an oceanfront lodge and two RV campgrounds here. The views at nearby Rialto Beach (accessible via parkland) are beautiful as well. The fishing here is excellent.

Lake Quinault – One of several large lowland lakes offering many fishing and watersport activities.

Ruby Beach – Just south of where the Hoh River meets the Pacific Ocean, this beach offers several miles of maritime exploration, with unique rock formations. During low tide, starfish, crabs, and other sea life come into full view.

Hiking the Southern Coast – The Olympic Peninsula provides some amazing sights of pristine beaches and marine wildlife. North of Ruby Beach, the Hoh River creates a natural boundary.

Bird Watching – Kalaloch is a great place for bird watching. Western gulls, bald eagles, and other coastal birds can be spotted nesting and feeding along the southern coast.

Exploring Tidepools – Beach Four is an excellent location to look for sea stars and anemones of various colors in tidepools. When hiking the coast, always check the tide tables for safety. Low tide is the best time to see tidepool treasures.

Third Beach Hiking – This moderate trail meanders through coastal forest with a 200-foot descent to the beach.

Second Beach – is a stunning natural space that is special for a number of reasons. It offers easy RV parking, accessibility (a mere 0.7-mile trail to the ocean), unique sea stacks, and bird watching opportunities!

The Tree of Life a/k/a Tree Root Cave – See the 1,000-year-old Sitka Spruce located on the beach near Kalaloch Lodge. It is an anomaly since its roots are above ground, and the entire tree seems to hover over the ground, with a small cave underneath.