Olympic Peninsula loop
Rainforest, hot springs and wild Pacific coast.
A four-day loop from Seattle around the Olympic Peninsula — the Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge and driftwood-strewn Rialto Beach, ferries included.
Point No Point Lighthouse
Small historic lighthouse with a nice beach and views across Puget Sound to the Olympics — a quick leg-stretch after the ferry.
9009 NE Point No Point Rd, Hansville
Alder Wood Bistro and Wood-Fired Pizza
Cozy wood-fired bistro in downtown Sequim using local farm ingredients, a solid midpoint lunch before Port Angeles.
139 W Alder St, Sequim
Dungeness Spit
Longest natural sandspit in the US, part of Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge — great short hike with lighthouse views at the end.
💡 Refuge entry fee is small and cash/self-pay station; walk is ~5.5 miles round trip to the lighthouse.
Dungeness Nat'l Wildlife Refuge, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge
Waterfront Trail, Olympic Discovery Trail
Easy evening stroll along the harbor with Olympic Mountain views and sunset over the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Port Angeles
Downriggers on the Water
Seafood spot right on the harbor, good way to end the first day.
115 E Railroad Ave Ste 207, Port Angeles
Overnight in Port Angeles, WA
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Port Angeles, WA · $$
Booking happens on the partner's site.
- Book the Edmonds–Kingston ferry crossing isn't reservable for cars — arrive early, especially weekends.
- Downtown Port Angeles has free street parking; no low-emission zone restrictions.
- Fuel up in Sequim or Port Angeles — gas is pricier and sparser once you head into the park.
- Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center+19 mi
Sweeping mountain panoramas just 30 min from Port Angeles — worth a detour if road/weather allows.
- Salt Creek Recreation Area+12 mi
Tide pools and dramatic bluff views west of Port Angeles, less crowded than the park's main draws.
- Olympic Discovery Trail (Sequim segment)+6 mi
Paved multi-use trail great for a short bike or walk break.
Lake Crescent
Deep glacially-carved lake famous for its impossibly clear turquoise water surrounded by old-growth forest.
💡 Pull off at Storm King Ranger Station for the best lake photo spot.
Lake Crescent
Marymere Falls Trailhead
Easy 1.8-mile round trip through mossy old-growth forest to a 90-foot waterfall — classic Olympic rainforest hiking.
💡 Trailhead at Storm King Ranger Station, arrive early for parking in summer.
227693-227769 Olympic Hwy, Port Angeles
Sol Duc Falls
A stunning three-way waterfall cascading through a narrow rock gorge, reached via an easy 1.6-mile forest trail.
💡 Parking lot fills by midday in summer — arrive before 10am.
Sol Duc Falls
The Springs Restaurant at Sol Duc Hot Springs
Convenient lunch stop right at the trailhead area before continuing on.
💡 Grab lunch here around midday after the falls hike, before driving on.
12076 Sol Duc Hot Spgs Rd, Port Angeles
Hall of Mosses Trailhead
Iconic moss-draped temperate rainforest walk — one of the wettest, greenest places in the continental US.
💡 It's a detour south of Forks (~1hr each way) but the quintessential Olympic rainforest experience; go if daylight allows.
Hoh Valley Rd, Forks
Home Slice Take N Bake
Casual, hearty dinner option in small-town Forks.
110 S Forks Ave, Forks
- Olympic National Park entry pass required — buy online or at the Sol Duc/Hoh entrance stations.
- Forks has limited gas stations — fill up before continuing south or west.
- No cell service in much of the park interior — download maps beforehand.
- Rialto Beach+16 mi
Dramatic sea-stack coastline and driftwood-strewn beach, roughly 20 min from Forks.
- Bogachiel State Park+6 mi
Quiet riverside forest trails, an easy add-on near Forks if you want another short hike.
- La Push+19 mi
Coastal Quileute village with First Beach and Second Beach — dramatic Pacific views.
Lake Quinault
Serene rainforest lake ringed by giant trees, including some of the world's largest Sitka spruce and Douglas fir.
Lake Quinault
Quinault Rain Forest Trailhead
Short loop through ancient rainforest right by the lake — an easy leg-stretch with huge old-growth trees.
S Shore Rd, Quinault
Roosevelt Dining Room
Historic 1920s lodge with a classic dining room overlooking the lake — a memorable lunch stop.
💡 Go for lunch here, not dinner, to keep the day on schedule.
345 S Shore Rd, Quinault
Hood Canal
Long fjord-like waterway with mountain backdrops — nice views along the drive into Hoodsport.
Hood Canal
Scenic Hood Canal View Cottage with AC in charming Union
Cozy local spot for a relaxed dinner in the small town of Hoodsport.
💡 Arrive by 18:00-19:00 for dinner — it's a small local spot, check in at the hotel first.
Overnight in Hoodsport, WA
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Hoodsport, WA · $$
Booking happens on the partner's site.
- This leg splits the long return drive so day 4 into Seattle stays under the pace cap.
- Fill gas in Aberdeen or Hoodsport — stations get sparse along Highway 101.
- Hoodsport has small, simple lodging — book ahead in summer as options are limited.
- Staircase Rapids (Lake Cushman)+16 mi
Beautiful old-growth riverside trail with rapids, a short detour off Hood Canal near Hoodsport.
- Ruby Beach+25 mi
One of the most photogenic Olympic coast beaches with sea stacks, though a bit north of this route.
- Kestner Homestead Trail+3 mi
Historic homestead loop near Lake Quinault through rainforest and old pastureland.
Theler Wetlands Trail
Easy boardwalk trails through tidal wetlands and forest, a peaceful last nature stop before heading home.
22803 WA-33, Belfair
SEA Marine
Waterfront lunch spot in Bremerton with harbor views before the ferry back.
💡 Plan to arrive between 12:00–14:00 for lunch before heading to the ferry.
419 Jackson St B, Port Townsend
- Bremerton ferry terminal has paid parking if you want to walk on, but driving the car on is simpler for luggage.
- Weekend ferry lines can be long — aim for an early or off-peak crossing.
- No park passes needed today — you're out of Olympic National Park boundaries.
- Bainbridge Island waterfront+9 mi
If time allows, a quick stroll near the ferry dock at Bainbridge is a pleasant final stop.
- Kitsap Memorial State Park+12 mi
Quiet beach and forest park near Poulsbo for a last picnic or walk.
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