Olympic National Park Day Trip (Best 1-Day Itineraries!)

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Wondering if a day trip to Olympic National Park from Seattle is worth it?

I visit the park every season and wholeheartedly believe that the 6 – 8 hours of travel are worth the chance to explore the dynamic ecosystems the park is famous for, like old-growth rainforests and expansive, rugged coastlines.

➥ In this guide, I share five exciting itineraries featuring a variety of destinations and activities so you can choose which is best for you. I also share a list of places to skip (unless you really love long drives) and other valuable tips to maximize one day in Olympic National Park.

Let’s go!

Quick Guide: Best Olympic National Park Day Trips from Seattle

If you’re planning an Olympic National Park itinerary for a one-day trip, these options highlight the best experiences for travelers from Seattle who want to minimize time in the car.

• Best Overall Experience: Lake Quinault & Quinault Rain Forest
• Best for Beaches & Rainforest: Quinault Rain Forest & Kalaloch Beaches
• Best for Mountains & Scenic Views: Hurricane Ridge & Lake Crescent
• Best for Lake Activities: Lake Crescent Hiking & Kayaking
• Best for Shortest Travel Time: Staircase Hiking & Lake Cushman

Keep reading for detailed guides on what to see and do for each itinerary!

Can Olympic National Park Be a Day Trip?

Yes! The key is to choose your destinations wisely, prioritizing time outdoors rather than in the car. Focus on visiting one or two key spots and spend several hours exploring each for a more immersive experience rather than rushing between multiple locations.

I find this approach is much more rewarding than quick, 10-15 minute stops, then moving on.

See my tips section below to avoid unnecessary delays!

How To Get From Seattle to Olympic NP 

Olympic National Park has many entrance points, so the best route depends on where you want to go. The shortest and most direct route from Seattle is to the Staircase region, which can be reached by driving south on I-5, then north on Highway 101 toward Hoodsport. 

Staircase is part of the park’s eastern region and is featured as the fifth itinerary in this guide.

Alternatively, you can take a more scenic route to the park’s northern attractions, including Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent. Travel to the Kitsap Peninsula via car or ferry, cross the Hood Canal Bridge, and continue onto the Olympic Peninsula until you reach Highway 101.

One Day in Olympic National Park: Best Itineraries

These five itineraries consider travel time from the Seattle Ferry Terminal. Travel time will vary depending on your starting point.

1. Lake Quinault & Quinault Rain Forest 

🚗 Estimated travel time: 5.5 – 6 hours roundtrip

This itinerary is my number one choice because it offers a unique combination of old growth forests, hiking trails, and lake activities, and getting here is straightforward. 

Unlike the journey to Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent, there’s no need to worry about ferries or bridge openings.

South Shore Hiking

The interconnected trails near Lake Quinault Lodge offer many options, which initially felt overwhelming. A quick look at a map shows why!

I downloaded the Quinault Loop Trail from AllTrails for easy navigation.

We started at the lodge, and there were sections where I couldn’t make it ten feet without stopping to take a photo. The old growth trees were so impressive–we marveled at their immense size.

Falls Creek Loop Trail (Falls Creek and Quinault Loop Trail on AllTrails)

Not too far from the lodge, we were enchanted by the look and feel of mossy trees growing over the waterfall next to Falls Creek Campground. Further on the trail, we took a steep path covered in tree roots down to Falls Creek, where we discovered a fantastic lunch spot.

Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail

This easy, short trail connects with the Quinault Loop Trail and is a must-do! It was the last section of our hike, but from the trailhead, you don’t have to hike far to get to the viewpoint below, where the Willaby Creek flows and swordferns line the creek walls. 

Kayaking

You can rent kayaks at the lodge during the summer months and adventure by water to the mouth of the Upper Quinault River.

SUNSET ON THE LAKE: Lake Quinault Lodge is our favorite place to stay on the peninsula! Make reservations at the lodge’s Roosevelt Dining Room to end your day eating a delicious meal while watching the sunset.

2. Quinault Rain Forest & Kalaloch Beaches 

🚗 Estimated travel time: 6.5 – 7 hours roundtrip

For this itinerary, choose from the activities in the section above, but allow 80 minutes to drive to and from Kalaloch and at least 60 minutes for walking on the beach. 

The panoramic view of Kalaloch’s coastline is mesmerizing, especially after spending time in a dense, mossy rainforest.

TIP: If time is limited and you have to choose between seeing the Tree of Life or walking and tide-pooling on Beach 4, my advice is to head to Beach 4!

Tide-pooling

If you can time your visit to arrive at low tide, head to Kalaloch Beach 4 for excellent tide-pooling in and around the rocks to the north. Beach 4 offers some of the best tide-pooling on the peninsula.

I was amazed by how much marine life I saw, carefully exploring the slick rocks to see brightly colored sea stars, anemones, and more.

Finish your day watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

3. Hurricane Ridge & Lake Crescent

🚗 Estimated travel time: 8 – 8.75 hours roundtrip

This one-day trip requires the longest travel, including a ferry ride from Seattle to Bainbridge, the most direct ferry route. On a clear day, views of Mount Rainier from the ferry deck are a bonus.

• Ferry Delays – Monitor remaining spaces on the ferry in real time, although there’s always a little lag. 
• Driving Alternative – Skip the ferry and drive south through Tacoma. 
• Hood Canal Bridge Crossing – Check the status of the bridge, which opens for boat traffic.

I live on the Kitsap Peninsula and travel to the Olympic Peninsula multiple times a month, and the timing of a bridge opening rarely thwarts my schedule.

Hurricane Hill Trail

Hurricane Hill Trail is short, paved, and accessible. I hiked it in winter, enjoying fewer crowds and stunning views of the Olympics in one direction and the Cascades, including Mount Baker, in the other.

Klahane Ridge Trail

Klahane Ridge Trail offers incredible views but is longer, with more elevation gain and little to no shade. In summer, I start early and carry extra water. Unlike the paved walkway to Hurricane Hill, I like that it’s a proper trail.

If you got a late start, held up at the ferry terminal, or would rather spend more time at the lake, consider these shorter trails:

• Big Meadow Trail
• Cirque Rim Trail
• High Ridge Trail

Lake Crescent

Choose which side of the lake you want to be on based on which adventures appeal to you. Of course, you can see multiple sides of the lake if you’re good with more driving. 

Taking East Beach Road, you can hike the Spruce Railroad Trail to Devil’s Punchbowl, where you can jump in the water. You can also rent kayaks at Log Cabin Resort. Another option is East Beach, a fantastic place to swim or launch kayaks.

SUNSET ON THE LAKE: Sunsets at East Beach are spectacular! End your day here for breathtaking views.

Alternatively, you can take the 101 to the Marymere Falls Trailhead parking lot, which is the same lot for hiking Mount Storm King. But first, stop at the Welcome Sign for a quick photo. 

Seeing the gem-like colors of the lake along the winding 101 always gives me a thrill.

Check out the section below on Lake Crescent hiking.

TIP: If the Marymere Falls Trailhead parking lot is full, try the small parking lot at the nearby Moments in Time Trailhead. Only vehicles pulling a boat can park near the boat ramp.

4. Lake Crescent Hiking & Kayaking

🚗 Estimated travel time: 6 – 6.5 hours roundtrip

The travel required for the itinerary above applies to this one, too.

For a perfect day at Lake Crescent, I’d summit Mount Storm King, return to the Marymere Falls Trail, and continue onto the falls. Then I’d head to Granny’s Cafe for lunch and ice cream. Afterward, I’d rent a kayak at Log Cabin Resort and paddle to Devil’s Punchbowl to watch the daring jump in.

Having done all these activities, I can confidently say it would be an extraordinary day.

TIP: I’ve stayed at Log Cabin Resort and know that kayak rentals are first-come, first-served and not always available during the busy season, so be ready with a Plan B. Shadow Mountain General Store, less than 10 minutes away, also rents kayaks.

Mount Storm King

Summiting gives you the best view of Lake Crescent, but getting to the top requires navigating the Mount Storm King ropes over steep and uneven terrain. It was less hairy than I expected after reading others’ trip reports.

That said, risk tolerance is a personal decision. I recommend seeing something for yourself to determine if it’s within your capabilities. You can turn around before the rope section and still see phenomenal lake views.

Marymere Falls Trail

This trail is accessible to most ages and capabilities. If you do only one hike at Lake Crescent, this is it! I’ve walked this trail a handful of times, and I’m always enchanted by the beauty of the forest.

5. Staircase Hiking & Lake Cushman

🚗 Estimated travel time: 5.25 – 5.75 hours roundtrip

Choose this itinerary on the southeastern Hood Canal side of Olympic National Park for the least driving and a fantastic day of hiking along a river and lake lounging.

Lake Cushman is not part of the national park, but you drive past it to get to Staircase. When the weather’s warm, I pack my swimsuit, towels, a blanket, and a floating lounge.

Shady Lane Trail

Ferns, moss, and lush conditions abound. We walked inside a small, wet cave that we assume provides shelter to wildlife. 

North Fork Skokomish River Trail

This trail will always be special to me as the first one I ever hiked in Olympic National Park. It goes on for 28.7 miles, so you can spend a good portion of your day trip hiking if that’s your priority. You can turn around at any time.

There are plenty of places to stop and pull off the trail to sit by the Skokomish River, where you’ll see massive boulders lining the water.

Lake Cushman

The vibe at Lake Cushman on hot summer days is young, family-oriented, and perhaps a bit loud. The good thing is that there are several places to pull over and hang out along the lake’s shoreline to avoid the larger crowds that gather at Bear Gulch Picnic Site and The Big Rock. 

TIP: Stop at Hoodsport Coffee for ice cream if the timing works out. There’s a reason there’s usually a line here!

Olympic Destinations NOT Recommended for a Day Trip

Traveling from Seattle, I recommend skipping the destinations below unless they are bucket list destinations. 

• Sol Duc Falls – adds another 40 minutes of driving one way from Lake Crescent.
• Hoh Rain Forest – adds another 1.5 hours of driving one way from Lake Crescent and Lake Quinault. The Hoh is incredible, without a doubt. But so is the Quinault Rainforest, which is much closer to Seattle. 
• La Push Beaches – adds another hour of driving one way from Lake Crescent.
• Rialto Beach – adds another hour of driving one way from Lake Crescent.
• Shi Shi Beach – Point of Arches is one of my top five experiences in the park. But traveling to Shi Shi Beach from Seattle is a 9-10-hour round trip adventure. If you only have one day, I recommend visiting Salt Creek Recreation Area, one of the best Port Angeles beaches.  

Tips for a 1-Day Trip to Olympic from Seattle

A few days before your trip:

The day before your trip:

Wrap-Up: Best 1-Day Itinerary for a Day Trip to Olympic

While you can’t see all of Olympic National Park in one day, you can still have a remarkable experience by selecting one or two destinations and immersing yourself in these places for hours. 

Take it from a local who has been to all of the park’s most popular spots—the drive from Seattle is worth it!