Plan Your Trip

Planning your trip to the Olympic Peninsula or Mount Rainier National Park can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re out of state. Don’t worry – I’m here to help! 

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20 INSIDER TIPS TO AVOID CROWDS AT MOUNT RAINIER

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    Travel Planning Tools

    I rely on the platforms and services below for my adventures.

    Accommodation Platforms

    • Booking.com – I love Booking.com because it offers great prices and features a wide variety of options from hotels to vacation rentals. Plus, the website and app are easy to navigate and understand. 
    • Expedia.com – Expedia.com offers excellent bundle deals for flights and hotels. On my most recent trip out-of-state, I saved nearly $200.00 by booking my car rental at the same time as my flight.

    Book at Tour on Viator

    • Best Olympic Day Tour – If you want to visit Olympic National Park from Seattle without the hassle of ferry and itinerary planning, book a tour and enjoy the convenience of provided food, drinks, and a naturalist guide.

    Book My Favorite Places to Stay

    Below are places I’ve stayed and experienced firsthand.

    Olympic Peninsula

    • The Bishop Hotel – Port Townsend’s best boutique hotel features an extensive wine list and live music in the lounge.
    • Terra Vista Chalet – Tucked away and surrounded by trees. The sound of the Elwha River soothed me as I fell asleep here.
    • Juan de Fuca Cottages – Panoramic water views with a private beach across the street and a short drive to Sequim’s best beach, the Dungeness Spit.
    • Lake Crescent Lodge – Located on the shores of one of Olympic’s best destinations and walking distance to my favorite Lake Crescent hikes.
    • Quileute Oceanside Resort – La Push’s only accommodation option. The Deluxe Cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows and water views.
    • Hoh Valley Cabins – The best place to stay to arrive at the Hoh first thing in the morning to beat the crowds.
    • Lake Quinault Lodge – Hands down, my favorite place to stay on the Olympic Peninsula.

    Mount Rainier

    • Paradise Village Inn – I slept well staying in their King Bed Cabin and ate well at their on-site Ukranian restaurant.
    • Stone Creek Lodge – The best accommodation to visit the Paradise area and a few minutes from the Nisqually Entrance. My 5-night stay here was excellent.
    • Mountain Meadows Inn – Cozy, home environment with a hot tub and breakfast items, 20 minutes from the Nisqually Entrance.
    • Historic Hotel Packwood – Lots of charm and located directly across from my favorite place to eat, Packwood Brewing Co.
    • Packwood Inn – Not fancy, but they had clean rooms available the week before my trip.

    Washington State Resources

    Below are resources and tips to help you journey across Washington with ease.

    Me on the Bainbridge Island ferry

    Washington State Ferries

    Visit the website to find sailing schedules, make reservations, and buy tickets.

    My tried-and-true tips for taking the ferry:

    Every local has their own opinion on this, but the Bainbridge Island ferry is my preferred ferry for travel from Seattle. It’s a 30-minute ride, you get fantastic city views, and I like the option to stop and eat on Winslow Way on Bainbridge Island or Front Street in Poulsbo.

    Department of Transportation

    Washington State’s DOT does an excellent job of using social media to inform us about important travel information.

    Check them out on Facebook and X.

    I highly recommend checking road conditions and closures before heading out, especially during our rainy and stormy seasons from October to April.