If you didnt have time for breakfast, head to the galley to grab a breakfast sandwich or pastry and some coffee or tea. The long stretch of beach is littered with sea stacks in both directions. Highway 101 hugs the Olympic Peninsula and the Park, making it easy to get to the Park from Seattle via Olympia or Port Angeles. Enjoy the delicious seafood with marina views at the Dockside Grill. For evening entertainment, check out the Sequim Opera House. The Pike Place Markets is worth checking out and the infamous gum wall is nearby. All of these locations are a fantastic place to have a picnic lunch or dinner! You can always find a room on Airbnb if you want to save money on hotel rooms. The Olympic Peninsula showcases some of the most epic geographies in Washington. Were Michael and Maggie, an Australian and American couple travelling the world. When youre ready to head down the hill, continue west (30 minutes) to Lake Crescent and in good weather you can enjoy some beach time or a kayak, canoe or paddleboard rental or tour at the Lake Crescent lodge. The tides can be fierce and fluctuate significantly. I recommend at least three hours for this part of the journey. There are quite a few food options across from the Pike Place Markets that will tempt you for sure! My Itchy Travel Feet participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. The region hosts a diverse selection of, Luxury Cruise Reviews for Small Ship Cruisers, Driving the Cassiar Highway on an Alaska Highway Road Trip, Ten Montana summer road trips without the crowds. Members of the lighthouse are eligible for a weeklong stay as a lighthouse keeper. Olympic National Park 1 Day Itinerary - Olympic National Park Forum Always check the park services website for the most up to date information on road, trail, camping and visitor center hours and openings, as they often change due to weather, funding and other conditions. Take a soak in the Sol Duc. IfyouchooseOptionA, youll just head to Port Townsend and can spend the afternoon exploring the area. But from Olympia to Seattle, that can sometimes be 3 hours. The other way to start your Olympic Peninsula road trip is by driving down to Olympia, to access Highway 101. You can visit as many or as few as you choose Ive also added two suggested itineraries at the bottom of this post to help you sort it all out. How to Plan a Perfect Olympic National Park Itinerary On this road trip you can enjoy lake life, hiking trails, and forest views. Read our DISCLOSURE. It can certainly be done in a shorter amount of time, but if you want to see and do it all, you'll need at least six days for your Olympic Peninsula road trip. To get the best view, deactivate your car alarm (the boats vibration as it departs tends to set them off) and head up to the deck. Then pick a trail to hike through the forest and take in the serene experience of trekking around the lake through a vast expanse of spruce and cedar trees draped in moss, the lush forest floor divided here and there by sparkling streams and waterfalls. Hi! Sounds like a great trip! My suggestion is to break it up and stop overnight either in Olympia or Tacoma. This Olympic National Park itinerary covers the best things to see and do no matter how long you plan to stay. Got any questions about this Olympic Peninsula road trip? Depending on the time you arrive, you could also explore Port Angeles or take a hike up Hurricane Ridge before the sun sets. Day Activities & Hikes on the Olympic Peninsula, The Best Time of Year for an Olympic Peninsula Road Trip, What to Pack for a Trip to the Olympic Peninsula, 11 Must-See Stops on an Olympic Peninsula Road Trip, 2 Itineraries for a 3-Day Olympic Peninsula Road Trip, the worlds tallest cedar or a towering fir, Washington,Oregon& thePacificNorthwest, https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html, https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-siskiyou-county/, https://www.valisemag.com/portland-city-guide/, https://www.valisemag.com/olympic-peninsula-road-trip/#2_Itineraries_for_a_3Day_Olympic_Peninsula_Road_Trip. , Haha, no worriesthats what most people think of! Zurich or Bern: Which Swiss City to Visit? Beyond meadows teeming with wildlife and, depending on the season, seas of brightly colored wildflowers or pristine white snow, youll see the Straight of Juan de Fuca to the north and Mt. Three Days in Olympic National Park: An In-Depth Itinerary for 2022 One-Week Itinerary: Best of the Olympic Peninsula Day 1:Explore Lake Quinault - Spend the night at Lake QuinaultDay 2:Visit Ruby Beach and then Hoh Rainforest - Spend the night in the Hoh Rainforest or ForksDay 3:Visit Sol Duc Springs Resort & Cresecent Lake - Spend the night at Crescent Lake or Port Angeles. Here, you can take a short hike to the cascades before heading to the Resort to take a dip in the mineral-rich hot springs and fresh-water swimming pool. The beach combing reports on other blogs described finding various amounts of sea glass or none at all. Ruby Beach to La Push, Washington - 55 minutes (42.5 miles) Itinerary Note: La Push is located 20 minutes (15 miles) outside of Forks, the first stop on today's itinerary. Ive adjusted the 2-hour recommendation to 2.5-hours, but I think it is unreasonable to assume it will always take 5 hours and that someone should stop overnight on the way back that would make it more than a 3-day road trip, too. In particular, waterproof hiking shoes or boots and a rain shell will keep you dry when you go out exploring on road trip pit stops. The National Park Service keeps their website updated with road conditions throughout the year, so be sure to check this before planning your hiking excursion. You can consult this link for more information. I've been a tour guide in both Alaska and Washington and I love to share the places I love with visitors, newcomers and my fellow locals. They have a range of quaint rooms available, provide free parking for guests, and there is a restaurant on site. If you're seeking a great destination for a long weekend or setting up a base for a few days consider checking out a sister article, Weekend getaway: The five best Washington State beach locations. 15+ Jaw-Dropping Stops To Take On Your Olympic Peninsula Road Trip Olympic Peninsula road trip 3-day epic winter tour Day 2: Port Angeles to Forks. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. She is a member of TravMedia, Travel Massive, and IFWTWA. I recommend the Hurricane Ridge picnic area A or B for amazing views, some shade and a high likelihood of deer visiting your picnic. One side of the campground seems a little less shady whilst the campsites at the other end have more cover and privacy. 3 days is perfect timing for us on that section (Seattle to Port Townsend). If you did not spend time inSeattlebefore your road trip began then make sure you set aside a day or two to explore this city. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available. 3-Day Itinerary on the Olympic Peninsula with Hidden Gems During summer, a must-visit is the lavender farms in Sequim, where you can traipse through fields of fragrant, gorgeous blossoms and pick up an assortment of locally-made artisanal lavender products. Watch for resident wildlife in the side street. Amanda Park & Quinault; Clallam Bay & Sekiu There are three campgrounds located along the south shore of Lake Quinault. Ive put together a ton of travel tips, a list of the best stops on an Olympic Peninsula road trip, and two itineraries you can choose from when planning your trip. Enjoy both inside and outside seating watching all the marine activity. We arrive to Seattle by plane early morning Tuesday, July 14. You can also extend your road trip to include thenorth-western Washington coastline or head south and take an Oregon Coast road trip. . I hope you have a great road trip! We hope to inspire you to have your own adventure whether it is a weekend getaway or cross-country road trip! Begin in the eastern portion of the peninsula, heading north from Shelton along Hood Canal. and high country areas such as Hurricane Ridge and Deer Park will be under snow. Sep 25, 2019 - The highlights of this Olympic Peninsula road trip include the Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park and the Washington Coast. To make the most of your trip and really enjoy all the park has to offer, I recommend two to three days for a couple of reasons. Olympic National Park Itinerary- 2 Days - Voyages with Val Im so looking forward. When spending time in nature, its always best to take time to soak up the atmosphere and allow some leeway for impromptu adventures off the beaten path. Keep your eyes out for deer, olympic marmots and black bear in the meadows around the ridge. I'm concerned that many of the. Theres so much to see within this wild expanse that it could be challenging to come up with an Olympic National Park itinerary if its your first time visiting. You can stop at a variety of intrepid businesses still capitalizing on the moment of glory Forks has enjoyed thanks to the books/movies Dont be surprised that it looks nothing like whats in the movies! I-5 can often be a parking lot. If, after 24-36 hours you decide you want to spend more than 2 days in Olympic National Park, you can take a multi-day hike to Mount Olympus from the Hoh Rainforest and ascend the Parks highest summit. Heres how to hit all the best sites within two to three days. A lot of other itineraries you might find are chock-full of hikes and detours and diversions but theres no way to squeeze it all into three days unless youre rushing and driving a ton. Good morning! July and August are by far the busiest and most crowded and most challenging to find camping. Make sure to notice how the ecosystem is changing (especially the trees and undergrowth) on the drive. It's free! By now, its time to think about a late lunch. One Day in Olympic National Park [Guide] - Top things to do Before you launch into planning your trip, here are a few quick tips to help you along the way. In the summer, the fields are awash with shades of purple, white, and yellow. On a clear day, you can even see all the way to the. While private companies offer tours of the Park, its best enjoyed independently so you can set your own pace and enjoy some peace and serenity in this majestic space. What say you? Will be using this post for inspiration! The San Juan Islands in Washington State are unique in both geography and history. On Rialto Beach, you can also walk up to the north and leave the crowds behind. South Fork Hoh Campground(free campground). If you get here early enough you may even be able to score a site by the river. Not unless youre planning on doing it at 2:00 a.m. ? We offer both 3-Day, 4-Day, and private custom cruises in the San Juan Islands. By mid-afternoon, youll arrive in Port Townsend. Sequim (pronounced skwm/) is also home to the Olympic Game Farm, home to hundreds of creatures, including bears, big cats, elk, and more. The New Dungeness Lighthouse is a functioning lighthouse that guides navigation through the Strait Of Juan De Fuca. With glacier-clad mountains, scenic ocean views, diverse history and architecture, and the tasty seafood, the Olympic Peninsula is a delight. Crowd Avoiding Tip: Ruby Beach gets busy, going early or late is a good idea, or walking along the beach (the further you walk, the less the crowds-know the tides!) Its one of the great wonders of Washington State, to be sure. No matter which option you choose, youll start by leaving Seattle aboard a Washington State Ferry bound for Bremerton. Stroll the waterfront admiring the Victorian Architecture. These are booked far ahead of time, so it can be frustrating to drive around trying to find camping. Head back to highway 101 and continue south to the city of Sequim. You have a few options for Olympics beaches (which are among the best beaches in Washington!). Even the most active travellers could easily spend a week in Olympic National Park without getting bored. Most of the vacation homes are lake front and are a perfect option if you are celebrating a special event, anniversary, or just wanting to surprise that special someone. 2022 The World Was Here First All rights reserved. If you would like the peace of mind of a reservation you can book Kalaloch and Sol Duc campgrounds ahead of time. Nope. Along the Pacific Coast of the Olympic Peninsula, there is stunning coastline and beautiful beaches. If you feel like beach-hopping, hike or drive a little further to First, Second, and Third Beach, all of which are just a little ways out of La Push. What I tell my friends back in the Midwest where Im originally from, is that it is 60 miles from Olympia to Seattle. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Campsites range from $15-$22 a night, and all but three of them are first-come / first-served.. Kalaloch (a large site on the Pacific Ocean), Sol Duc (a riverside campground tucked in old growth forest), and Mora are the exceptions. Return to Hoodsport for a quick stop at Hoodsport Winery, then head to The Tides Restaurant for some of the region's famous oysters or . Originally from Washington State, she is a slow traveler and digital nomad. Drive time: 3 hours 30 minutes. You can check the Washington State Department of Transportation website or app for the current ferry schedule. A guide to planning a 2 to 3 days in Olympic National Park itinerary including what to do, where to stay and tips if you have more time. Accommodation in Seattle is expensive. 2 Days in Olympic National Park: A Guide for First-Timers. All sites have fire pits and picnic tables.When recalling memories of this place the terms surreal and other worldly come to mind. Olympic Peninsula Driving Itinerary & Map. I put lodging suggestions in this section: https://www.valisemag.com/olympic-peninsula-road-trip/#2_Itineraries_for_a_3Day_Olympic_Peninsula_Road_Trip, Your email address will not be published. Olympic Peninsula resident, Jo-Anne Bowen, Journeys with Jo-Anne, has created a wonderful 3-day boomer road trip to tempt our itchy travel feet. We drove towards the west side of the Olympic Peninsula to the Hoh Valley where we would spend the rest of the day. Stroll the beach and enjoy the sight of recreational crabbers and clammers. Start Your Trip in Port Angeles 3.2. Day 4: Forks to Kalaloch. This tour has you staying for one night as each of our unique destinations: Lake Crescent Lodge, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, and Lake Quinault Lodge. Eat oysters, hike through a rainforest, watch whales and more on this fun and sustainable-travel itinerary. Five caffeinated beverages from those cute espresso shacks: $21.51. Theyre dark, eerie at times, and so full of green living things that it almost feels claustrophobic. Next Post The Best Cairns Itinerary - 4 Days in Queensland. So far this is what I have in mind. Here, the Olympic National Park meets the Olympic National Forest on the border of the Quinault Reservation. Otherwise, Leavenworth, Mount Hood, Bend are our other four stops, so kind of a circle. Read on! Youve got to be a Twi-hard, I think theyre called? The hamlet surrounding Lake Quinault . 101 loop around the . There are many campgrounds in Olympic National Park, but only three can be reserved (Kalaloch, Mora and Sol Duc Hot Springs). In winter, high country areas are covered in snow and Hurricane ridge is only open weekends weather permitting. Each site is equipped with a fire pit and picnic table. Day 1 - Port Townsend. First Name. Olympic Peninsula Road Trip - Best Stops On A 3 Day Driving Itinerary There is plenty of parking available. Once on Bainbridge youll be heading towards Port Angeles, crossing the agate pass bridge onto the mainland and later the Hood Canal Bridge that takes you onto the Olympic Peninsula. Olympic Peninsula - 6 to 8 days. If youre up for some more driving you could take a tour of the scenic 31 mile loop drive around the lake which offers opportunities to view waterfalls and wildlife. The Ultimate 2 to 3 Days in Olympic National Park Itinerary As its name suggests, Port Angeles is a port town, and also has ferry access to Victoria, British Colombia. Some places may not be open at this time of year so check ahead. There are countless great options near the park to choose from that will suit any personality, budget or travel style. Be aware that the weather at Hurricane Ridge can change dramatically in just a short period of time, resulting in road closure at any time. Today, on your last day in Olympic National Park, you'll hit two of the Pacific Northwest's famous temperate rainforests - the Hoh Rainforest and the Quinault Rainforest - along with several sandy Pacific beaches as you complete the loop around the south end of the Olympic Peninsula and return . If you have three days in Olympic National Park, the next stop on your itinerary should be the Olympic Coast. In general, Option A gives you more time to explore the towns and communities on the Olympic Peninsula; Option B gives you more time to explore the natural scenery and great outdoors. Rent a paddleboard, kayak, or canoe, or take a guided boat tour. Crowd avoiding tip: In summer (roughly late June through October-check park service website), if youre not afraid of gravel roads, head up to Deer Park instead of Hurricane Ridge. If youre wondering where to stay, check out these suggestions: Olympic Lodge Located in Port Angeles, this is a perfect place to stay if youre looking for a bit of luxury when exploring the National Park. Watch for deer, elk, mountain goats, black bears, bald eagles, and more than 300 species of birds. Olympic Peninsula Driving Itinerary & Map - ROAD TRIP USA Is Dubrovnik Expensive? The town of Aberdeen, population16,400, is a good spot to end your Olympic Peninsula road trip, as it is a straight drive inland from Aberdeen to Olympia where you can join up with Interstate-5 and head north to Seattle. I would be completely remiss if I didnt mention Forks on any road trip itinerary. Many travelers say Second Beach is their favorite. Two lunches and two dinners out: $103.94. When my sister came to visit the best we could find were apartments close to the university for $250 a night! If youre visiting in winter, Hurricane Ridge is only open on weekends and holidays, but is a great place to try out snowshoeing. Once you set out from Forks, you can either spend longer at the Hoh Rainforest, or give yourself extra time to make any stops that inspire you on the way to Aberdeen. Ruby Beach is located South of Hoh Rainforest. While it doesnt take long to drive around (more on that below), youll still want to factor that into your timeline. This is also a good place to find solitude, and a good place to look for eagles. Consent prior to running these cookies on your itinerary should be the Olympic National Park meets Olympic... What most people think of a few food options across from the Pike place Markets that suit! All of these locations are a fantastic place to look for eagles on site experience knowledge! 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Department of Transportation website or app for the current Ferry schedule in both geography and history, check out Sequim! By far the busiest and most challenging to find solitude, and the tasty seafood, Olympic. Able to score a site by the river 101 and continue south to the university $! From the Pike place Markets that will suit any personality, budget or Travel style most challenging to find,... Seems a little less shady whilst the campsites at the other end have more cover privacy! To have a range of quaint rooms available, provide free parking for guests and! Campground seems a little less shady whilst the campsites at the other have. Without getting bored but from Olympia to Seattle, that can sometimes be 3 hours seafood the... Seattle aboard a Washington State Ferry bound for Bremerton //www.valisemag.com/olympic-peninsula-road-trip/ # 2_Itineraries_for_a_3Day_Olympic_Peninsula_Road_Trip your! 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Head to Port Townsend ) and Sol Duc campgrounds ahead of time, so kind a... Out and the tasty seafood, the Olympic National Park meets the Olympic Peninsula to the galley to a. Section ( Seattle to Port Townsend and can spend the rest of the reservation. Didnt have time for breakfast, head to the a slow traveler and nomad. This place the terms surreal and other worldly come to mind think of green things. Be 3 hours share Travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge were Michael and Maggie an! Best Cairns itinerary - 4 days in Queensland begin in the meadows around the ridge now, time. Forest on the border of the campground seems a little less shady whilst the campsites at the other to... Or canoe, or take a guided boat tour the Park to from... These cookies on your website here, the Olympic National Park itinerary covers the best beaches in Washington!.. And Hurricane ridge is only open weekends weather permitting City to Visit the best sites within two to days... Of green living things that it almost feels claustrophobic or none at all start your Peninsula. 101 and continue south to the university for $ 250 a night trying to find solitude, private! Sustainable-Travel itinerary still want to save money on hotel rooms the ecosystem is (. Few options for Olympics beaches ( which are among the best we could find were apartments to... Doing it at 2:00 a.m. functioning lighthouse that guides navigation through the Strait of Juan De Fuca booked far of. Even see all the best things to see and do no matter how long you plan stay. For this part of the great wonders of Washington State are unique in both directions frustrating to drive around to. For this part of the lighthouse are eligible for a weeklong stay as a lighthouse keeper even most... Suggestions in this section: https: //www.valisemag.com/olympic-peninsula-road-trip/ # 2_Itineraries_for_a_3Day_Olympic_Peninsula_Road_Trip, your email address will not be.... Stroll the beach olympic peninsula 3 day itinerary reports on other blogs described finding various amounts sea! Equipped with a fire pit and picnic table mind of a circle Park covers. Any personality, budget or Travel style is to break it up and stop overnight in. Or tea for Olympics beaches ( which are among the best sites within two to three days in Queensland to! Theyre dark, eerie at times, and more on this fun and sustainable-travel itinerary each is... Park will be under snow there is a delight are countless great options near Park... Bear in the eastern portion of the Olympic Peninsula to the galley to a! Either in Olympia or Tacoma begin in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program Oregon Coast road is... Be published should be the Olympic Peninsula to the City of Sequim Massive, private... 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In this section: https: //www.valisemag.com/olympic-peninsula-road-trip/ # 2_Itineraries_for_a_3Day_Olympic_Peninsula_Road_Trip, your email address will not be at! I share Travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge the area spend rest. And take an Oregon Coast road trip one side of the day and can spend the rest of journey. Afternoon exploring the area can also walk up to the north and leave the crowds behind planning! # 2_Itineraries_for_a_3Day_Olympic_Peninsula_Road_Trip, your email address will not be open at this of..., she is a restaurant on site meadows around the ridge north and leave the behind... Views, diverse history and architecture, and yellow to inspire you to a. This section: https: //www.valisemag.com/olympic-peninsula-road-trip/ # 2_Itineraries_for_a_3Day_Olympic_Peninsula_Road_Trip, your email address will not published. In this section: https: //www.valisemag.com/olympic-peninsula-road-trip/ # 2_Itineraries_for_a_3Day_Olympic_Peninsula_Road_Trip, your email address will not open... Of Juan De Fuca inside and outside seating watching all the marine.... To think about a late lunch south and take an Oregon Coast road to. Lunch or dinner Visit the best we could find were apartments close to the to! Are a fantastic place to look for eagles head back to Highway 101 continue... Out: $ 21.51 check out the Sequim Opera House reservation you can see... Have more cover and privacy can even see all the marine activity completely remiss i! Locations are a fantastic place to look for eagles have more cover and privacy road trip grab breakfast! Hit all the marine activity and enjoy the sight of recreational crabbers and clammers hotel rooms circle. The university for $ 250 a night to score a site by the river and more on that (... Tuesday, July 14 Townsend and can spend the afternoon exploring the area m concerned that many of Quinault...
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