Day trips through the Olympic Peninsula
When you only have a day or two to explore the Olympic Peninsula, here is how to make the most of it.
Olympic National Park has always been one of my favorites! There are so many eco-systems to discover and many of them you can see in one day (with some proper planning, of course!)
From coastline to rainforest to mountain hikes, there are endless spots to discover.
Here is a quick Table of Contents to help you navigate the information quickly!
Top tips for exploring the Olympic National Park
Ways to get to the Olympic National Park
If you start in or around Port Angeles take the 101, the three must-see spots for your next trip are:
Lake Cresent: Moments in Time trail is a short loop trail starting at the Lake Cresent Lodge. It will offer views of this majestic lake and offers a trail through the lowland forests of the area. If you have more time, you can connect to trails such as Marymere Falls and onto the Mount Storm King Trail.
If you are on the peninsula, you must go to the coast.
Continuing down the 101 to the 110 for about 35 miles and head to Rialto Beach.
An incredible beach filled with giant driftwood, views of seastacks and a walk along the rocky beach. If the season and weather cooperate, you can hike to the tide pools and arch.
Whether you are skipping rocks, climbing the driftwood or playing in the water, Rialto Beach is a magical place to visit.
If you are hungry for lunch, we recommend stopping at 3 Rivers Resort Restaurant in La Push (made famous by Twilight). A quick, easy stop for burgers and shakes. They also have very clean restrooms and have RV parking available.
From beach to rainforest…
The diverse ecosystem of the Olympic Peninsula includes a massive rainforest, the Hoh Rain Forest, it’s one of the most serene and calming places you will likely visit. After the beach, head back to the 101 towards the Hoh Visitor Center.
From the visitor center, you can jump on the Hall of Moses Trail, a quick loop trail and explore the moss covered trees and flowing rivers and at the end of the loop, hook onto the Spruce Nature Trail for a 1.2 mile loop trail.
Enjoy the peace and quiet that the tree coverage offers.
We traveled in early April, which is still considered to be off-season so be sure to always check the park’s website for closures and construction. We ran into many obstacles and detours along they way. We think they were getting ready for the big summer rush or so we hope!
Three top tips when traveling to the Olympic Peninsula:
Check the NPS website for trail construction and road closures. Bad weather, esp in off-season, can make for last-minute detours and changes.
Pack layers. WA, esp the Peninsula, has constantly changing weather conditions.
Bring a second pair of shoes & a bag to put your dirty ones in. Wet, muddy trails are always likely so it’s best to bring a dry pair. Your floor mats will thank you!
Two ways to get to the Olympic Peninsula
Ferry rides are a quintessential way to travel in the Pacific Northwest.
Since you will need a car on the peninsula, if you want to travel by ferry, you must make a reservation. Here’s the website for the WA Ferry System.
Washington State has 14 US ferry routes to cover all the islands, the peninsula and even routes to Canada.
Below are my top tips to have the best ferry experience.
⚓️ If you are bringing a car onboard, book in advance. Most routes require it, so check the website out for all info.
⚓️ Feeling spontaneous? Most routes can handle last-minute walk up riders. All tickets are first come, first serve.
⚓️ Arrive early so you don’t risk missing the boat. At least 30 min with a car.
⚓️ Bikes, kayaks, cones and paddle boards can go too. Just be sure to pay the right fare.
⚓️ Have your camera ready! You never know what mountains or wildlife you may see.
⚓️ Pack layers. If you want to be on the deck, taking in all the views. It will be windy and likely cold.
⚓️ For longer rides, bring a book, game and snacks. Amenities & services are limited during COVID times.
⚓️ Bring a mask, it’s currently required on all ferries.
⚓️ Kids under 5 travel for free. Pets can travel in a crate or carrier.
A ferry ride is a must-do in my book. It’s a magical & unique way to experience WA.
Driving to the Olympic Peninsula is an option too.
If ferries are booked or you just prefer to drive, the route by car is a pretty easy one. Traveling via 1-5 through Tacoma is straight forward. You may hit some traffic around the airport and downtown Tacoma but other than that it should be smooth sailing. We drove this route on the way back into the city and had some epic views of Mount Rainier. The ride should take about 2.5 hours and there are plenty of places to stop along the way if you need a bathroom or snack break.
Recommended restaurants & stores on the Peninsula
Next Door Gastropub. Great beer, delicious food, excellent service. They are dog friendly too!
Shirley’s Cafe for breakfast. This is where the locals go. It’s not fancy but you will get a solid breakfast to start your day.
Joyce General Store.If you are staying at Lake Cresent, this store will take you back in time. It’s tiny but packs in everything you need. They even have a cute store cat!
Blackberry Cafe in Joyce. A classic diner/breakfast spot. The perfect way to fuel up for the day.
Lake Cresent Lodge Dining Room. We did not get to go here on our trip because the lodge was closed but I have been there before and if you want to start your day off with good food and even better views, this is the place to go!
3 Rivers Resort Restaurant in La Push. In case you missed it above, here is your reminder. It’s a great spot to stop with families. Lots of kid friendly food, indoor and outdoor dining options and great milkshakes for a mid-day treat.
One of the best AirBnBs we have ever stayed at was on the Olympic Peninsula.
We’ve stayed in many AirBnBs in our travels and I can honestly say, this was absolutely one of our favorite ones! The views are insane and while hte water was too cold to get in during our April stay, we still enjoyed it immensely—sunsets on snow-tipped mountains are never a bad thing. It books up super early for Summer & Fall months but if you get lucky and find availability, you will not regret it.
This an our actual view from the Storm King Retreat.
Tucked away on Lake Crescent, this house is actually in the National Park. It was privately owned before the park was official and it’s been grandfathered in. The family that owns the house is so nice and very accommodating. The house had everything we needed. It’s the perfect escape from the hustle of every day life.
For many, the Olympic Peninsula is a place to get away, quiet the noise and take in all the beauty the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Every season offers it’s own version of magic. If you have any questions or need additional information, please comment below. I am happy to help!
Celebrate Nature, Explore the Olympic Peninsula
Curious about traveling to the Southwest soon? Check out my blog post about a true hidden gem, Tucson. Don’t miss the free travel guide I created for you too.
Save yourself time and save this pin to Pinterest. That way you’ll have it handy when you start planning!