7 Days in Olympic National Park: A Complete Itinerary

Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse and spread out National Parks, making a week the perfect amount of time to explore all it has to offer! But if you’re short on time, don’t worry—you can easily adjust this itinerary to fit your schedule. Keep reading for everything you need to know, from how to get there and where to stay to the must-do hikes you won’t want to miss!

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Getting to & around Olympic National Park

The Seattle-Tacoma airport is the closest airport to Olympic National Park. From there its around a 1.5-2 hour drive to the park, depending on traffic and your specific destination in the park. There aren’t many public transportation options to get to the park so you’ll want to rent a car near the airport.

I recommend checking out Discover Cars, which finds you the best rates on rental cars in the area. All rentals car companies operate at an off-site rental car facility where you can take a quick free shuttle over.

Where to Stay

Olympic National Park is very spread out. So you can try to choose one spot as your home base and spend some additional time driving to see all the sights, or spend half the week in one area, then the other half in another to cut down on the amount of time spent driving to each place.

We considered the second option, but ultimately decided to stay in Port Angeles for the week. Forks is another good option to stay if you want to split your time, but that town is much smaller and has less to offer than Port Angeles. Below I have included two options in Port Angeles and one in Fork.

Day 1: Hurricane Ridge

Depending on where you are flying from, you likely won’t make it into the park until around midday. As a result, you can expect the first day to be more relaxed with lighter activities compared to the following days. Depending on the time, you can check into your accommodation first or you can head straight to Hurricane Ridge for a light hike.

Hurricane Ridge

First up at Hurricane Ridge is Sunrise Point. From the parking lot, its only a short 0.2 miles to Sunrise Point. While the trail is short, be prepare that it is quite step. From here you can enjoy views of the Straight of Juan de Fuca and sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains.

From here follow the trail to the right and complete the Cirque Rim Trail. The Cirque Rim Trail is an easy, paved loop that is only 1/2 a mile. Wildlife like deer and marmots are often spotted here, so keep your eyes peeled! 

Port Angeles

If you haven’t already, check into your accommodation then head into town to grab dinner and groceries for the week. We usually pick up a few things for sandwiches and breakfast through the week. For dinner I recommend trying Fish & Crab Shack, their shrimp po boy is delicious!

Day 2: Mount Storm King

You’ll want to wake up early and eat a good breakfast so you are ready to hike Mount Storm King! Parking by the Storm King Ranger Station will be full by mid day so be sure to arrive early to grab a spot.

Marymere Falls

Marymere Falls and Mount Storm King share a trailhead, so you can hike to Marymere Falls before continuing on to Mount Storm King. The trail to Marymere Falls is 0.9 miles, with the turn off to Mount Storm around 0.5 mile. At the beginning of the trail there is a massive mossed covered tree that is worth admiring for a second. The trail is mostly flat until right at the end, where you’ll gain some elevation to get a different view of the waterfall.

Mount Storm King

After enjoying Marymere Falls, follow signs to Mount Storm King. This trail is very hard, it is 4.4 miles total and gains 2000ft in elevation. Be sure that you have plenty of water and snacks before starting this trail.

It immediately starts gaining elevation through a series of relentless switchbacks before reaching a clearing with stunning views of Lake Crescent. Its still uphill from here, so this make a perfect spot for a snack break.

From here, it’s a short hike to the end of the maintained trail, where the path becomes narrow and steep with a rope-assisted section. Since the park doesn’t maintain this part, hikers proceed at their own risk. We opted to skip the rope section because it was very busy and we didn’t feel safe continuing.

Swim in Lake Crescent

After hiking Mount Storm King, jump off the Lake Crescent Pier and take a swim in Lake Crescent! After hiking Mount Storm King the lake is so refreshing and just what your body needs!

There’s a bathroom at the parking lot, not too far away, making it easy to get changed after your swim. If you have water shoes, I definitely recommend wearing them, as the lake bottom is rocky and there are lots of tree branches in the water.

Disclaimer: The water in Lake Crescent is always quite chilly but can be refreshing on a warm day. However, on a cloudier day or if you’re sensitive to the cold, swimming in Lake Crescent might not be the best option for you.

Day 3: West Side

Start day 3 early since you will be traveling around 1 hour and 40 minutes from Port Angeles to Ruby Beach.

Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach is known for its dramatic sea stacks and incredible tide pools! Since you can only see tide pools at low or negative tide, you’ll need to check the tide tables before hand. Tides that are lower than 1 foot are the best for tide pooling.

The beach is just a short 0.2 mile walk from the parking lot. Once you get to the beach feel free to explore as you’d like, just be careful not to get too close to the ocean as the waves can be unpredictable.

If you want to find tide pools and marine life, head to the sea stacks and take a look around. The tide wasn’t super low when we came, it was around 3 ft, but we were still able to see a few star fish, various anemone and mussels.

Always be respectable of marine life! Do not try to touch it or disturb them in any way, remember you are a visitor in their home!

Tree Of Life

Just down the road from Ruby Beach is the Tree of Life, also known as Kalaloch Tree. This tree is popular because some how it still living even though erosion has washed away the soil beneath its roots. Despite having almost no visible support, the tree continues to thrive.

From the parking lot, follow the trail down a flight of stairs and just up the beach is the tree. As you can imagine it is not very sturdy so climbing on it can damage its roots. If you visit, please do not climb on the tree.

Hoh Rainforest

After viewing the Tree of Life, head to Hoh Rainforest, around 45 minutes away. In peak season, Hoh can get very busy and you may have to wait up to an hour to get in and park. If visiting on weekends or in the summer, consider going here early in the morning or after 3:00pm.

There are quite a few trails here but the most popular is the Hall of Mosses trail. This trail is a 0.8mile loop and takes you through a forest of grove maple trees. I also recommend doing the Spruce Nature Trail, a 1.2 mile loop. This trail is similar to the Hall of Mosses trail, but half the amount of people on it. This trail also takes you by the Hoh River, which is nice to visit.

If you are in the mood for a longer hike, checkout the Hoh River Trail. The full trail is 18.5 miles long, however many people just walk for as long as they desire before turning back.

One thing to take into consideration is that the summer months, May – September, is the dry season. This means if you visit drying these months, the rainforest will not be as lush as it will be during November – January.

Day 4: Lake Crescent / Sol Duc Falls

Spend day 4 doing a few shorter hikes, and kayaking on Lake Crescent.

Kayak Lake Crescent

Spend your morning kayaking Lake Crescent! Kayaks, paddle board, and canoes can be rented either at the Lake Crescent Lodge, or the Log Cabin Resort. Both rentals are available in the summer – fall months. Check their websites or call the lodges for availability. You can rent for a half day for $45 or a whole day for $60.

Sol Duc Falls

After spending your morning on Lake Crescent, its time for a short hike to Sol Duc Falls. This stunning waterfall splits into 3-4 separate falls before plunging almost 50 ft where it rejoins Sol Duc River! The trail is 1.6 miles and takes around 45 minutes to complete.

Devils Punch Bowl

Since Sol Duc Falls is a short trail, head over to the Spruce Railroad trail parking and hike to Devil’s Punchbowl. This trail is mainly flat and paved, following the Spruce Railroad trail. After about 1 mile you’ll reach the Spruce Railroad tunnel, follow the trail on the left to continue to Devil’s Punchbowl. Its not far from here, you’ll know you’ve reach Devil’s Punchbowl when you see the bridge!

This spot is popular for swimming during the summer, but be cautious, the water here is both incredibly cold and very deep. Only consider jumping in if you’re a confident swimmer!

Picnic at Hurricane Ridge

End the day by grab takeout in town, or making some sandwiches and head up to Hurricane Ridge for a beautiful picnic while taking in the view!

Day 5: Whale Watching

Take a small break from hiking on day 5 to do a few other fun things in the area, such as whale watching, shopping and relaxing!

Brunch

Grab brunch before heading out on a whale watching cruise. I recommend eating at the Chestnut Cottage, the food was delicious and the servings were huge!

Whale Watching

If you have extra time before your cruise sets sail, spend some time shopping in Port Angeles. They have a lot of small businesses that sells a variety of items.

The cruise is around 3-4 hours and takes you down the Strait of Juan de Fuca where the whale watching begins! You can also order drinks, snacks or a boxed lunch ahead of time and enjoy it while you wait for the whale sights. We ordered a blue buckle (like a blueberry coffee cake) and it was delicious! We saw a few whales in the distance but a TON of seals resting on a small island.

If I had to do it again, I’d probably skip this tour. I know seeing whales depends on so many factors, but honestly, I’ve been on better whale-watching tours in the past.

Soak on the Sound

After a few days of hiking, give your body the relaxation it deserves with a mineral saltwater soak. Soak on the Sound, located about 40 minutes from Port Angeles, is the perfect place to relax. Depending on your reservation time, you can grab a snack first, or head to Port Townsend early to explore the town for a bit.

They offer a few options, including private soaking tubs, a private infrared sauna, or a combination soak and sauna suite. We decided to splurge on the soak and sauna suite, and while it was a nice experience, I’d opt for just the soaking room next time. The back-to-back heat was a bit much.

Day 6: Cape Flattery

You’ll want to start day 6 off early because you will be spending a good amount of time on the road today.

Second Beach

You’ll first stop at Second Beach, about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Port Angeles. Second Beach is known for its stunning sea stacks and unique rock formations. It’s also more secluded than other beaches, making it a peaceful spot to visit. When we were there, we only saw a few other people on the beach.

To access the beach, you’ll follow a 0.7-mile trail through the forest. The path is relatively flat and easy, so it won’t take long to reach the beach.

Cape Flattery

Cape Flattery is the Northwestern most point of the contiguous United States. Its about an hour and a half drive from Second Beach, but it’s definitely worth the visit. Cape Flattery is located on the Makah Reservation so you’ll need to purchase a permit, which is $20 per car.

The Cape Flattery trail is 1.5 miles round trip and is fairly flat and easy. There are multiple viewing areas throughout the trails, so be sure to take your time and stop at all the overlooks.

Day 7: Klahhane Ridge

Spend your last day in Olympic National Park at Hurricane Ridge, hiking to Klahhane Ridge. Klahhane Ridge offers some of the most breathtaking views in the park. From the ridge, you can see the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the north and the Olympic Mountains to the south.

Depending on where you start, the trail can take you 5.5 miles or 8 miles to complete. The 5.5-mile option begins on the Switchback Trail, while the 8-mile option starts on Sunrise Ridge. We personally recommend starting at Sunrise Ridge, as it offers breathtaking views along the entire trail. Both options involve a gain of over 1,000 feet in elevation and are considered challenging trails.

Whichever option you choose, be sure to pack plenty of snacks and water to keep your energy up!

For a complete guide to Klahhane Ridge, checkout this article.

Seattle

This marks the end of our Olympic National Park itinerary. If you have some extra time, consider spending the afternoon or an entire day in Seattle before saying goodbye to Washington and heading home.

Olympic National Park Itinerary

Love this Olympic National Park Itinerary? Great! You can follow it exactly and replicate the same trip we did. However, you can also use this itinerary as a jumping off point and customize it to fit your needs and preferences. No matter how you explore, I know you’ll have an unforgettable time—Olympic’s beauty and diversity are nothing short of incredible!