How to Spend Three Days in Olympic National Park

There are few places as diverse as the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state.

Glaciers. Sea Stacks. Beaches. Rainforests. Orcas. Lakes. Wildflowers.

They all call the Olympics home. And, if you time it right, you could experience all of these in a single trip. (You may have to be okay just looking at the glaciers, though.)

It’s also one of the best places to venture to for a long weekend getaway, almost year-round, from Seattle, Tacoma or Portland to name a few. I’m known to pack my trips to the brim with adventure. If you do too, this itinerary will leave you with countless memories.

Day 1:Getting to the Olympic Peninsula

From Seattle, there are two ways to get to the Olympics: the ferry or drive the long way across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. I usually prefer the ferry. You get a chance to enjoy the views of Mount Rainier across Puget Sound, and if you’re lucky, sea life.

Once you drive off the ferry, it’s a beautiful and easy drive to the Olympic Peninsula.

The first stop on your road trip is Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, 30 minutes from Port Angeles. This is a great area to stretch your legs, search for wildlife, and walk down to the beach along the Salish Sea. Take the Primitive Trail Loop toward the beach. As you leave the forest, the New Dungeness Lighthouse at the end of the 5-mile-long Dungeness Spit will come into view.

On a clear day, Mount Baker will be visible, rising almost 11,000 feet above the horizon.

After checking into your hotel in Port Angeles and grabbing something to eat, it’s time to soak up the beauty of the Olympic Range at Hurricane Ridge. This is one of the highest paved roads in the state, and a beautiful place to watch the sunset.

If you want to hike a 4-mile moderate trail, you can go up the Hurricane Ridge Trail, home to gorgeous wildflowers from mid-July to mid-August. But if you want to keep it easy, the views are panoramic from the parking lot. Just remember to bring a headlamp if you hike in the evening.

Day 2: Waterfalls, Lakes, and Beaches

One of my favorite days in Olympic National Park is about to begin. You are going to see waterfalls and lakes and then wrap the day up on the coast, watching the sun set.

For those looking for a less popular, quieter trail, I recommend Marymere Falls. Starting from the shores of Lake Crescent, it’s a nearly flat trail until the last quarter mile to reach the waterfall. The hike takes you through lush green landscapes along Barnes Creek, with birds chirping and the sounds of flowing water taking the stress away. After the hike, head down to the lake for a picnic lunch, paddleboard or a swim.

However, another option, if you want a classic Olympic destination, is to hike to Sol Duc Falls farther west, past Lake Crescent. This is one of the most popular trailheads in the park, and the parking lot will likely be full if you show up after 10:00 a.m. on a weekend.

After your hikes, head west toward Forks to check into your hotel and get some food to go. Just 15 minutes outside of town is Rialto Beach. Here, you’ll have the ability to walk down the sandy, log-filled beach to find a spot to lay out a blanket and watch the sun drop beneath the horizon. (Note that the Rialto Beach Road will be closed for repairs until October 8, 2026.)

Day 3: Rainforests of Olympic National Park

I recommend starting your day somewhat early to visit the Hoh Rainforest. During the summer and on weekends, the line to enter the park gets long. Aim to be there by 8:00 a.m. to avoid a long wait.

Thankfully, once you’re there, it’s easy to get lost among the green. You’ll quickly learn why this temperate rainforest is so special: green moss hanging everywhere, huge trees with sprawling canopies, ferns covering the floor, and some of the quietest places on the planet.

I recommend taking the 1-mile Hall of Mosses Loop Trail before heading out on the Hoh River Trail. It technically runs for 17 miles, ending at the Blue Glacier. But for most people, 3 to 6 miles round trip is plenty. And don’t forget to spend some time cooling off along the river.

Once you’ve had your fill of this rainforest, it’s time to find another.

But first, as you head south, I recommend stopping at Ruby Beach. It’s a short half-mile trail down to the ocean and has some great tide-pooling opportunities. You can also continue driving south to find the Tree of Life, Kalaloch Beaches 1, 2 and 3, and the Kalaloch Mercantile, where you can grab some snacks.

The final stop on your Olympic road trip is the Quinault Rainforest, on the shores of Lake Quinault. It’s far less trafficked yet offers some great hiking and views.

Start your visit at the Quinault Rainforest Trailhead and combine it with Willaby Creek Falls for a lovely 1.5-mile walk through the forest. Then, head up the road another 8 minutes to see the World’s Largest Spruce Tree. This is another short walk.

Before starting the three-hour drive back to Seattle, grab some ice cream at the General Store across the street from the Big Spruce trailhead, and enjoy it on the lake’s shores, soaking up the last moments of a wonderful weekend on the Olympic Peninsula.

Plan your Olympic Peninsula weekend getaway at olympicpeninsula.org.