The Perfect 3-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary
Located on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park provides three unique and beautiful landscapes —glaciated mountains, rugged Pacific coastline, and lush temperate forests which makes this National Park an adventure lovers paradise and one of my all time favorite national parks! So grab your camera, a good pair of hiking boots, roll the windows down and turn up your favorite adventure playlist for the most epic 3-day Olympic National Park road trip!
Table of Contents
When to Visit
One amazing thing about Olympic National Park is that it’s accessible year round! The lower elevation in the forests and on the coast make for a typically snow free terrain in the winter time. We went in January and it was beyond beautiful. If you do plan on going up into the Olympic mountains during the winter – they probably will have snow. Always be sure to check Alltrails and WTA trip reports for mountain and trail conditions.
What to pack
Parka: I love my Fjallraven Parka – it’s the perfect jacket that performs well in the rain and has insulation for warmth. Parka linked here.
Insulated Jacket: If you need extra insulation under your jacket or just want a lighter weight insulated jacket – the Patagonia Nano puff is my absolute favorite jacket and the one I wear the most out of any of my jackets.
Whenever I go to Olympic NP, the weather is constantly changing! It can go from rain, to sunshine, to hail all in a matter of minutes (this happened to me before)! Be sure to pack lots of warm layers and a waterproof rain jacket and hiking boots to stay warm and dry.
Rain Jacket: Olympic National Park is known for rain so come prepared with a good rain jacket. My favorite investment has been the Arcteryx Rain Jacket. I love how small it packs down and how dry it keeps me on rainy days in the PNW.
Leggings: I love hiking in leggings since they are more comfortable to me than hiking pants. Bonus points if they have pockets! My favorite pair linked here.
Tops & Base layers: Base layers are a must when hiking in the PNW. They’ll keep you warm and dry while also being breathable! I also love wearing these at night while camping or backpacking to keep me warm. My favorite base layer top and bottom are linked! It may seem pricey but it’s so worth it to invest in a quality base layer the performs well AND will last you for years and years.
Sports Bra: my favorite linked here.
Hiking Boots/Shoes: Highly suggest water resistant and durable hiking boots here in the PNW. My absolute favorite are my Danner Adrika Hiking Boots. They keep my feet warm and dry, are lightweight, and stylish!
Hiking socks: Keep your feet warm and dry. My go-to hiking socks are REI or Darn Tough.
Camera & Equipment: Don’t forget your camera to capture all of the beauty! All my camera equipment that I use is linked here.
First Aid Kit: Always, always come prepared and have a first aid kit handy.
Day Pack: Protect your camera, hiking. gear and beloved snacks from the rain. Day pack linked here.
Refillable water bottle: Stay hydrated on the trails.
Water Reservoir: These are next level and help keep you more hydrated on the trails. They store more water and are lighter than the stainless steel refillable water bottles. The straw from the reservoir feeds up to your backpack strap for easy sipping and hiking at the same time.
Sunglasses: Indeed the sun does shine in the PNW. Bring your sunnies!
Headlamp: Great for hiking in the dark before sunrise hikes or after sunset hikes. Linked here.
Beanie: Keep your noggin and ears nice and toasty.
Sunscreen: Again, the sun indeed does shine in the PNW! Lather up and avoid getting sunburnt.
AllTrails Subscription: Download offline trail maps, search for hikes in the area.
Getting There
Typically the fastest way to get to the peninsula is the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry. You can drive over to the ferry from Seattle (about a 20-30 minute drive) and drive with your vehicle right onto the ferry and costs about $17.20 per vehicle. Once you park your car on the ferry – you’re free to roam around the boat. Grab a snack or coffee, look around for orcas or porpoises, and relax while your ferry takes you over to the Olympic Peninsula (it truly is the best and our favorite way to get over there). Or sometimes (especially weekends) the ferry wait can be very long – like 2-3 hours. In that case it is quicker to just drive around the Sound (towards Tacoma) to get to Olympic National Park. You can also check the ferry wait ahead of time and book your ferry ticket in advance to avoid long weekend waits here.
Research + Navigation
I recommend downloading the Alltrails app – this is the best app in my opinion for finding trails that are suitable for hiking or backpacking. You can filter out the trails you are searching through with the keywords like “Waterfall,” “Forest,” and “Lake” for example so you can find your very perfect Olympic National Park trail! Also, we love using Washington Trails Association Trip Reports , it is another great place to research trails and look up recent trip reports. But keep scrolling – we have plenty of beautiful trail recommendations for your trip to Olympic National Park!
Map of Itinerary
Playlist
Wildlife
Olympic National Park is buzzing with wildlife if you’re lucky to spot any! There are elk (huge herds of them), bald eagles, black bears, whales if you’re exploring the coast, and much more! As cute and amazing these creatures are, please keep your distance and do not feed the wildlife please.
Where to Stay
Port Angeles and Forks are perfect places to stay on your trip to Olympic National Park. Port Angeles is close to Lake Crescent and Hurricane Ridge. And Forks is close to beaches like Rialto, Second, and Ruby Beach. I recommend staying in Forks for nights 2-3 to avoid driving back to Port Angeles after a long day of driving and so you’re closer to all the epic beaches to explore the next day.
We stayed at The Perch in Port Angeles and it was such a beautiful cabin. Highly recommend and will share the link to book a stay here.
Leave No Trace
Please do your part to keep our National Parks wild and beautiful and leave them better than you found them. Pack out everything you pack in, stay on designated trails, and be mindful and respectful this beautiful National Park!
The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace
Day 1
Drive to Port Angeles from Seattle
Typically the fastest way to get to Port Angeles is the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry. You can drive over to the ferry from Seattle. It’s about 15-20 minute drive to the ferry from Seattle, a 20-30 minute ferry ride and then about a 1.5-2 hour drive from Kingston once you get off the ferry.
Lake crescent
Lake Crescent, a stunning 624 feet deep, glacier-carved lake, is one of the iconic destinations of Olympic National Park. The crystal-clear lake is outlined with a stunning forested mountain range and offers a variety of hikes, activities, lodging, and viewpoints and is a must-stop on your road trip around Olympic National Park.
📍Mount Storm King Ranger Station
An iconic photo spot at Olympic National Park is the Mount Storm King Ranger Station – and for good reason! It gives off a cozy yet creepy cabin in the woods vibe, backdropped by gorgeous evergreen trees. There’s a large parking lot to park at, along with restrooms, and a beautiful dock overlooking the icy blue-green waters of Lake Crescent.
📍Moments in Time Trail
Location: Olympic National Park
Distance: .7 miles
Elevation Gain: 9 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass: America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly: No
This trail around Lake Crescent is such a hidden gem. The forest is so green, lush, and peaceful. It’s super close to the Mount Storm King Ranger Station and is such an easy, flat, and beautiful loop to explore. Some would even say this spot is even better than the Hoh Rainforest! This trail also branches off to a few different spots like Marymere Falls and NatureBridge so you can do a lot of exploring and hiking around here if you would like.
📍Madison Falls
Location: Olympic National Park
Distance: .2 miles
Elevation Gain: 26 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass: America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly: Yes
Madison Falls is a beautiful and easy waterfall for everyone to enjoy since it is such an accessible hike. The crowds are always minimal to no crowds and usually we have this incredible waterfall all to ourselves and it’s a dog friendly trail in Olympic National Park so we can bring our dog!
📍Marymere Falls Trail
Location: Olympic National Park
Distance: 1.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 298 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass: America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly: No
Another beautiful and easy hike to a hidden waterfall in Olympic National Park – Marymere Falls. Park at the Mount Storm King Ranger Station parking lot and then you’ll be able to navigate to the trail from there using downloaded AllTrails maps or GPS. *Photo Credit Intricate Explorer on Unsplash.
📍Devil’s Punchbowl via Spruce Railroad Trail
Location: Olympic National Park
Distance: 2.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 144 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass: America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly: No
A hidden gem at Olympic National Park where a beautiful and easy trail leads you to the most epic bridge over Lake Crescent’s Devil’s Punchbowl. This underwater gorge plunges to almost 100 feet! The perfect area for swimming in the icy blue colored water in the summer.
📍Mount Storm King
Location: Olympic National Park
Distance: 4.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,106 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Pass: America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly: No
Mount Storm King takes you up to the most epic view of Lake Crescent. This is a hard trail – so be prepared for a tough hike and make sure you’re able to use the ropes to climb up to the very top! The perfect hike for sunrise or sunset to end your epic day exploring Olympic National Park. *Photo Credit Perry Kibler on Unsplash
Day 2
📍Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge
Location: Olympic National Park
Distance: 1.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 226 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Pass: America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly: No
Hurricane Ridge is a beautiful spot that overlooks the Olympic Mountains. You can drive up to a viewpoint without hiking (be sure to check road conditions before driving up) or you can hike Hurricane Hill. This is an ideal spot for sunrise or sunset! *Photo Credit Anurag Jain on Unsplash.
📍Hall of Mosses
Location: Olympic National Park
Distance: 1.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 78 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass: America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly: No
Hall of Mosses in the Hoh Rainforest is a gorgeous and easy mossy hike. It feels like you have been transported straight into a fairytale book. *Photo Credit Joshua Earle on Unsplash.
📍Sol Duc Falls
Location: Olympic National Park
Distance: 1.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 226 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass: America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly: No
Sol Duc Falls is an easy hike to another gorgeous waterfall in the National Park. If you have time – go relax at Sol Duc Hot Springs and be sure to make reservations ahead of time! *Photo Credit Shakti Rajpurohit on Unsplash.
📍Rialto Beach
Location: Olympic National Park
Difficulty: Easy
Pass: America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly: No
Rialto Beach is a must-stop on your trip to Olympic National Park. Enjoy a picnic on the beach, catch sunset or sunrise, or take a 3 mile hike down the beach at low tide to the famous hole-in-the-wall!
Day 3
📍Cape Flattery
Location: Olympic National Park
Distance: 1.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 229 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass: America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly: Yes
Cape Flattery is the furthest northwest tip of the contiguous United State and provides the mot epic and dramatic backdrop to a surprisingly easy hike. *Photo Credit Jesse Collins on Unsplash.
📍Second beach
Location: Olympic National Park
Distance: 2.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 278 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass: America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly: No
Second Beach is south of the small village of La Push (where’ve you been loca?!) close to Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park. *Photo Credit Leon Lee on Unsplash
📍Ruby Beach
Location: Olympic National Park
Distance: 1 mile
Elevation Gain: 49 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass: America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly: Yes
Ruby Beach which is known for it’s reddish sand and dramatic sea stacks, is one of my favorite beaches along the Olympic coastline! We’ve even driven there from Seattle for a day trip and it was so much fun (but a lot of driving)! But so worth it!
If you have extra time…
📍Murhut Falls
Location: Olympic National Forest
Distance: 1.5 mile
Elevation Gain: 390 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass: America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly: Yes
Another incredible waterfall hike located on the Olympic Peninsula. A short and sweet hike that take you to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Washington.
📍Lower Lena Lake
Location: Olympic National Forest
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,630 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Pass: Discover Pass
Dog Friendly: Yes
The Olympic Peninsula is the perfect location to find snow-free hikes that are beautifully lush and green. This trail might have been the greenest and lushest trail I’ve ever been on!
📍Mount Townsend
Location: Olympic National Forest
Distance: 8.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,090 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Pass: Discover Pass
Dog Friendly: Yes
This is the perfect hike for early-summer in Olympic National Park. This is a more challenging hike, but the views at the end are so worth it! One of the most beautiful trails I think I’ve ever done!
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