04.06.2023
5 Must-Do's for a Weekend Trip in Olympic National Park
Washington State (Pacific Northwest)
We know the struggle: you want to see it all, but you don’t have much vacation time. You’ve heard the ethereal, rugged, wild state of Washington (especially Olympic National Park) is stunning, but where should you go specifically to maximize your time?
Seattle is great. But it’s another city. If you enjoy nature and want to cross bucket-list-worthy sights off your list, visiting the eastern Olympic Peninsula is a MUST. It’s surreal, misty, and feels straight out of a fantasy movie.
**We didn’t know Olympic National Park existed, and now, it’s one of our absolute favorite national park hidden gems. For goodness’ sake, it encompasses over 1 MILLION ACRES and has 4 regions (pacific coastline, alpine areas, west-side temperate rainforest, and forests of the drier east side) and 3 distinct ecosystems!
If you only have a weekend to see the wild and wonderful Olympic National Park, Washington, here’s what we recommend:
- Fly into SEA-TAC airport (Seattle, Washington), rent a vehicle, and head through Tacoma for supplies (craft beer, snacks, etc.). Take the northern (shorter) route around the peninsula to Forks, Washington. You can take the ferry or drive the whole way. It’s a 3.5-hour drive from Sea-Tac airport to Forks using this northern route, but the views along the way are breathtaking and make the drive go quickly. Port Angeles is a good spot to stop along the way for gas, food, etc.
5 Things to Do in Olympic Peninsula, Washington:
Hoh Rainforest is a World Heritage Site and Wonder of Washington, it’s said to be one of the finest examples of a temperate rainforest anywhere in the world! It’s also the wettest forest in the contiguous United States, receiving over 100 inches of rain per year. The trees are giants, with dominant species of Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock growing to 312 feet in height and 23 feet in diameter. Much of the forest has been logged within the last century, though the forest within Olympic National Park is protected from commercial exploitation.
Many unique mosses and lichens grow here, including “lettuce lichen.” Forget fifty shades of gray… we saw 50 shades of GREEN! Nowhere have we ever been that feels more like faeries will suddenly appear.
We saw deer and elk both, so it’s a great spot for wildlife photographers.
For trail recommendations and to learn more, check out our blog post here.
These springs are unmaintained “hot water seeps,” as reported by the national park service. They warn that they are not tested by the park and may contain harmful bacteria. The park states the water heats up to temperatures of 135 degrees, but it didn’t feel near that hot to us in May. It was warmer than bath water but cooler than a hot tub. Surprisingly, it was not near as gross or slimy as we expected, and the water was quite clear. Bathing suits are optional. 😉
With only a few hours available and a tough trek to reach the springs (the trail was washed out by the Elwha river), we contacted Elwha E-Bike Adventures and were able to rent electric bikes very affordably. This made the trip SO much more pleasant and saved us hours of walking time.
This experience was hands down our favorite during our Olympic Peninsula trip. (Where else can you find nearly abandoned springs that are truly natural out in the deep mossy forest?) If you are somewhat adventurous and in decent shape, you have to see (and soak) for yourself! Read about our trip, tips, and see photos here.
3. See Lake Crescent (Olympic National Park):
This lake is stunning, with a glassy top reflecting the mountains and constant mist swirling above. It’s so clear, you can see 60 feet deep!
Serene, contemplative, and maybe even a bit eerie, this lake is a great lunch spot. Stop at La Poel Picnic Area, where you can also camp and find firepits and picnic tables. It’s a perfect place for scenic views of the lake under moss-hanging trees.
Also known as Tree Root Cave on Kalaloch Beach in Forks, this is a modern marvel that seems to be immortal. (Though one day, gravity will have its way!). Despite having no soil, this magical tree is suspended between two cliffs. It’s the product of decades of erosion weathering away the ground underneath it into the ocean.
Today, the tree “floats” between the two cliffs. Those brave enough to stand below its roots can feel a powerful surge of nature. Why has rain and wind not toppled this tree yet? Logically, it doesn’t make sense… so come see it now before you see on the news one day that it finally fell.
Rocky beaches, giant drift logs, pounding waves and views of offshore islands known as ‘seastacks’ are features that define Rialto Beach. It’s a moody but picturesque place famous for it’s giant driftwood washed ashore. You can’t swim there, due to risk of being struck with driftwood. The water and tides are rough, with unfortunate accidents from naïve visitors. However, it’s a perfect beach for exploring tidepools during low tide.
A great example of a pacific northwest ocean beach, Rialto Beach is accessible by Mora Road, off of La Push Road. It’s adjacent to Mora Campground, if you need somewhere to stay. Rialto Beach is about 36 miles southwest of Lake Crescent, and about 75 miles from Port Angeles (directions).
6. BONUS: Visit Forks, Washington (the rainiest town in the contiguous US where the Twilight Movie Series was filmed!)
Forks was the small logging town where we made base camp (2 night stay) during our weekend exploring the Olympic Peninsula. If you were a fan of the Twilight movies, watch for the signs and fun photo opps, including the “Treaty Line” for the werewolves and vampires. You can see Forks High School, too!
We highly recommend staying at the Misty Valley Inn B&B (we found them on AirBnB), renovated and run by the sweetest couple from Arizona who wanted a life change. Beautiful views, home-cooked breakfast (included), use of a community refrigerator and dessert bar, and the to-go coffee bar were all amazing! Read more about our stay and see photos here.
What are you most excited to see on your Olympic Peninsula trip to Washington? Does anything else deserve to be on this list? Let us know your thoughts.
