Olympic Peninsula
Plan your Olympic Peninsula trip with the guides below—organized by region as if you’re driving the Highway 101 loop around Olympic National Park, starting in Port Angeles.
Explore by Region
Start Here / Northern Peninsula / Pacific Coast / Rainforests / Eastern Peninsula
Plan Your Olympic National Park Trip
These guides will help you decide where to go, when to visit, what to pack, and how to make the most of your time in Olympic.
Trip Planning Guides
- Plan the Perfect Trip to Olympic National Park (Start Here!)
- 7 BEST Towns Near Olympic National Park Worth Visiting!
- 21 BEST Places to Stay on the Olympic Peninsula (By a Local!)
- 10 BEST Summer Day Hikes on the Olympic Peninsula
- 13 Best Beaches on the Olympic Peninsula – ONP Beach Guide
- 2 Day Olympic National Park Itinerary (Easy & Efficient!)
- Olympic National Park Day Trip (Best 1-Day Itineraries!)
- What to Pack for Olympic National Park (All Year!)
- Best Shoes for Olympic National Park Trails, Towns & Beaches
- Olympic National Park Visitor Center: 7 Reasons to Stop
Seasonal Travel in Olympic National Park
- Fall in Olympic National Park (11 BEST Things to Do!)
- Winter in Olympic National Park: What’s Open + 7 Best Activities
- Spring in Olympic National Park: Best Places to Visit in March, April & May
Northern Peninsula
This region includes Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, and Sol Duc Valley. Port Angeles makes a perfect home base with easy park access and downtown dining.
Port Angeles
- How to Spend a Day in Port Angeles (15 Things to Do!)
- 7 BEST Places to Stay in Port Angeles (From a Local!)
- 10 BEST Beaches in Port Angeles (Tide-Pooling & More!)
- Salt Creek Recreation Area Guide (15 FUN Things to Do!)
- Crescent Beach WA Guide (RV Park Review & BEST Things to Do!)
- Emerald Valley Inn REVIEW: 1 Night in Port Angeles
Hurricane Ridge
- Guide to Visiting Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park (for First-Timers!)
- 5 BEST Hurricane Ridge Trails in Olympic for Day Hikes
- How to Take the Hurricane Ridge Shuttle from Port Angeles
Lake Crescent
- Log Cabin Resort REVIEW (Relaxing & Fun!)
- Devil’s Punchbowl at Lake Crescent: Is it Worth a Visit?
- Mount Storm King Hike: 10 Things I Learned on the Ropes
Sol Duc Valley
- A Day in the Sol Duc Valley (Best Hikes & Waterfalls)
- Salmon Cascades in Olympic: Best Spot to Watch Salmon Jump!
Pacific Coast
From Cape Flattery to Kalaloch, the coastline is wild and rugged, featuring sea stacks, tide pools, and driftwood-lined beaches.
Neah Bay
- 15 Things to Do in Neah Bay: Best Attractions & Activities
- Is Cape Flattery Worth Visiting? (A Local’s Opinion & Guide)
- Point of Arches: WA’s Best Coastline Scenery on Shi Shi Beach
Forks
La Push
- Which La Push Beach is Best? Guide to All Three Beaches (2026)
- Second Beach Washington: Guide to ONP’s Best Beach
- Hole in the Wall on Washington Coast: ONP’s Best Beach Hike
- Quileute Oceanside Resort REVIEW: 3 Fun Days in La Push
Kalaloch
Rainforests
The Hoh and Quinault rainforests are where you’ll see moss-draped trees, waterfalls, and record-setting trees.
Hoh Rain Forest
Quinault Rain Forest
- Lake Quinault Lodge REVIEW (2026): Why It’s Worth the Drive
- Is the Quinault Rain Forest Worth Visiting? 5 Reasons to Go!
- Why Maple Glade Rain Forest Trail is Quinault’s Best Hike
- Merriman Falls: A Roadside Gem on the Olympic Peninsula
Eastern Peninsula
From Port Townsend’s waterfront charm to forest trails near Staircase and the Hood Canal, this less-travelled side of the peninsula is worth exploring.