7 BEST Towns Near Olympic National Park Worth Visiting!
Knowing which towns near Olympic National Park offer the best accommodations, places to eat, and proximity to park attractions is a game changer for first-time visitors.
I live in Poulsbo, one of seven towns on this list, twenty minutes from the Olympic Peninsula. I’ve made fantastic memories on weekend trips to every other town mentioned.
In this guide, I share what makes each town uniquely appealing, from top-notch dining experiences to hidden gems – from a local’s perspective.
Read on, as I’ll reveal a charming small town that might not yet be on your radar.
Are you ready? Let’s go!
Quick Guide: Olympic National Park Towns
- Best for Hurricane Ridge & Lake Crescent: Port Angeles
- Best for Coastal Beaches & the Hoh Rain Forest: Forks
- Best for Cape Flattery & Shi Shi Beach: Neah Bay
- Best Downtown Area: Port Townsend
- Best “Back-Up” Town for Accommodations: Sequim
- Best for European Charm: Poulsbo
- Best for Historic Charm: Port Gamble
NEW IN 2025! The Hoh Rainforest may not be accessible due to road erosion.
Need a place to stay? Book Olympic Lodge, a top-rated hotel with a high-end cabin feel and all the amenities you’ll need.
Best Towns to Stay In
1. Port Angeles
Gateway to Olympic National Park
If you plan to drive the Hwy 101 loop counter-clockwise, coming from the Kitsap Peninsula, Port Angeles is the last city, making it a fantastic home base or a timely pit stop before continuing on the loop.
It offers fun things to do, lodging options, a variety of restaurants and grocery stores, and a transit hub that includes buses, a ferry to Canada, and even a small airport.
I stop at The Great Northern Coffee Bar on my way out west and New Day Eatery, which offers delicious gluten-free and vegan options, on my way home after adventuring.
PORT ANGELES GUIDE
📍 Best Hotels: Olympic Lodge by Ayres, Super 8 by Wyndham, Emerald Valley Inn
📍 Where to Eat: Grayson’s, New Day Eatery, Firehouse Grill, Granny’s Cafe
📍 Top Attractions: Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, Elwha River, Salt Creek Recreation Area, Sol Duc Falls, Port Angeles beaches
Plentiful Accommodation Options
In Port Angeles, you’ll find the most accommodation options in one region of the Olympic Peninsula, spanning downtown, Lake Sutherland, and Lake Crescent. It’s the best choice for exploring the park’s northern attractions.
One of my most comfortable stays was at the Super 8, which offers a spacious room that’s like an apartment, featuring a kitchen, dining, and living room.
I also recommend Emerald Valley Inn, close to Lake Crescent. Granny’s Cafe, next door to the inn, serves American comfort food. Pop in for a burger and a blackberry milkshake.
Scenic Strolls & Walks
My top pick, Ediz Hook, a short drive from downtown, is a spit that juts into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, where you’ll see Vancouver Island in one direction and an unforgettable view of the Olympics behind the cityscape. Keep an eye out for seals and even the occasional orca!
You’ll also see the Olympics from the Port Angeles City Pier, another scenic walk near downtown restaurants and the highly-rated Fiero Marine Life Center.
2. Sequim
Why Stay Here
Sequim is a fantastic option when you discover that places to stay in Port Angeles are fully booked. You drive a little more to reach popular destinations like Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent, but accommodations and restaurants are plentiful.
I stayed at the Dungeness Bay Cottages and loved the easy beach access across the street.
Located in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, Sequim gets less rain than the rest of the peninsula. Lavender thrives here! Sequim’s annual Lavender Festival in July is a big attraction, timed so visitors can tour farms and fields in full bloom.
SEQUIM GUIDE
📍 Best Hotels: Holiday Inn Express, Quality Inn & Suites, Dungeness Bay Cottages
📍 Where to Eat: Oak Table Cafe, Sunshine Cafe, Salty Girls Seafood, Nourish Sequim
📍 Top Attractions: Dungeness Spit, Olympic Game Farm, Olympic Discovery Trail, Saturday Farmer’s Market, Lavender Festival in July
Top Outdoor Attractions
Sequim is home to one of my favorite beaches on the Olympic Peninsula, the Dungeness Spit, the longest sand spit in the country. It’s a gorgeous 11-mile round-trip beach stroll – if you walk the entire length to the New Dungeness Lighthouse.
I always get a thrill seeing views of the Olympics from the beach.
Groups with kids should visit the Olympic Game Farm to see bison, elk, lions, and other wildlife.
Saturday Farmer’s Market
On my way to park destinations, I often stop at the Farmer’s & Artisans Market on Saturdays, open May through October. It’s rare to find comfort vegan food as good as Vegetari’s.
The market is in the heart of town, near shops and restaurants, like Pane d’Amore Bakery and the Sunshine Cafe.
TIP: En route to Sequim, you’ll drive past the S’Klallam Tribe’s Longhouse Market & Deli, the peninsula’s nicest and biggest gas station market, perfect for a quick meal to take on the road.
3. Forks
Best for Coastal Attractions
Forks is centrally located for visiting Rialto Beach, La Push beaches, Ruby Beach, and the Hoh Rainforest (if accessible). You can get to all these spots from Port Angeles, but staying in Forks means less time in the car and more time outdoors.
Book a spot in Forks if your park tour includes these popular spots.
After a hike to Hole in the Wall, I stayed one night at Dew Drop Inn. It was clean and sufficient, and there’s an EV charging station next door. But if I were to spend a few days in Forks, I’d choose a cabin at Woodland Inns, without a doubt.
FORKS GUIDE
📍 Best Hotels: Woodland Inns, Pacific Inn Motel, Misty Valley Inn B&B
📍 Where to Eat: D&K BBQ, Sully’s Burgers, FYABES Mexican Cuisine
📍 Top Attractions: Rialto Beach, La Push Beach, Second Beach, Ruby Beach, Hoh Rain Forest
What Makes it Unique
Forks is known as the “Logging Capital of the World,” a title reflecting its deep-rooted history as a mecca of the timber industry. This heritage is a significant part of the town’s identity and cultural backdrop.
It gained worldwide fame as the setting for The Twilight Saga series. The “Forever Twilight in Forks” festival is an annual event that brings fans together to celebrate author Stephenie Meyer’s characters and stories.
NOTE: I sometimes read negative comments about Forks in forums. Keep in mind that it’s a small town that can seem a bit sleepy to those coming from bigger towns and cities. If being close to many restaurants, shops, and some nightlife is important, stay in Port Angeles.
Food & Groceries
Find out why Texans say D&K BBQ serves some of the best they’ve ever had. The food can sell out on busy weekends, so get there early if you can.
Since it was getting late, I stopped at Forks Outfitters Thriftway and picked up everything I needed for a sufficient dinner in my motel room. This grocery store also stocks toiletries, outdoor apparel, and camping gear.
Off the Beaten Path
4. Neah Bay
Why Stay Here
I found this small coastal town on the Makah Reservation to be the perfect base for exploring Neah Bay attractions and activities.
Theoretically, you can probably do Shi Shi Beach, Cape Flattery, and the excellent Makah Museum all in one day. But with the drive time to get here and the drive time to the next destination, it would be an exhausting day.
Lodging here is comfortable. Options include the Cape Resort, where I RV camped, and nearby vacation homes.
NEAH BAY GUIDE
📍 Best Hotels: Apocalypto Motel, Hobuck Beach Resort, Cape Resort
📍 Where to Eat: Calvin’s Crab House, BIGGINZ Burgers, Pat’s Place
📍 Top Attractions: Cape Flattery, Point of Arches at Shi Shi Beach, Makah Museum
Neah Bay Beaches
The beaches in Neah Bay are stunning. Point of Arches at Shi Shi Beach offers the best coastal scenery in Washington State.
But there’s also Hobuck Beach, which you can visit as long as you have a Makah Recreation Permit, and the beaches of Shipwreck Point, which you pass on your way to Neah Bay. There are also beaches along the Sooes River to enjoy.
The Makah Tribe
The Tribe has worked hard to provide the infrastructure required for all the tourism this region sees. They built the wooden boardwalks and platforms at Cape Flattery and manage the traffic flow to this world-class destination.
You won’t regret spending an hour at the Makah Museum to learn about their history and deep connection to the land and water.
Distinctive Towns
5. Port Townsend
Why It’s Special
Port Townsend is a small coastal city near the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Striking and well-preserved Victorian architecture gives the town its distinctive character. It has a charming yesteryear vibe with homegrown, artsy spunk.
If checking out galleries and local shops, taking your pick of delicious restaurants to eat at, walking along the waterfront, and watching the ferries go by sounds like a good time, Port Townsend is for you.
NOTE: Port Townsend is a destination in its own right, but staying here means longer drive times to get to the park’s most popular spots.
PORT TOWNSEND GUIDE
📍 Best Hotels: Palace Hotel, Bishop Hotel, Monarch Hotel, Tides Inn & Suites
📍 Where to Eat: Owl Sprit Cafe, Finistere, Lila’s Kitchen, Khu Larb, Elevated Ice Cream
📍 Top Attractions: Fort Worden State Park, North Beach County Park, Chetzemoka Park, Water Street (Downtown Port Townsend)
Top Outdoor Attraction
Fort Worden is why I eventually fell in love with Port Townsend. It’s a military base turned state park minutes away from the town’s commercial area, where you can RV or tent camp or stay in one of their historic vacation rentals.
You can see the Cascade Mountains across the Puget Sound from its sandy beaches.
I vividly remember one of many trips, walking its hiking trails along the beach with my family, past the Point Wilson Lighthouse, and exploring old bunkers. We caught a sunset I’ll never forget from atop a bluff.
Downtown Attractions
Water Street is home to two hotels I’ve stayed at, the Waterstreet Hotel (now the Monarch Hotel) and the Tides Inn, and I always get a water-facing room.
Past the ferry, Water Street is where the action is. Locally owned shops, galleries, and restaurants rule here. I’ve never had a bad meal at the Owl Spirit Cafe. And the craft cocktails at Sirens Pub are legit.
Stop by the historic Rose Theatre, if only to look at its walls.
6. Port Gamble
Why Stop Here
Port Gamble is just minutes from the Hood Canal Bridge, the northwest entrance to the Olympic Peninsula, making it a convenient detour on your way to or from Olympic National Park.
It’s a historic mill town with the aesthetic of a New England village, twenty minutes from where I live. It’s so small that I can walk the loop, on which all shops, restaurants, and attractions are located, in under twenty minutes.
Despite its size, Port Gamble is one of the most compelling places on the Kitsap Peninsula and also a hidden gem for park visitors.
PORT GAMBLE GUIDE
📍 Best Place to Stay: Poulsbo Beach Hideaway
📍 Where to Eat: Butcher & Baker, House 11 Taproom, Port Gamble General Store & Cafe
📍 Top Attractions: Port Gamble Historic Museum, Port Gamble Theater, Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park
History
The S’Klallam Tribe lived on this land for thousands of years before Josiah Keller arrived at Port Gamble in 1853. He and fellow Maine businessmen Andrew Pope and William Talbot established a logging camp here despite the S’Klallam village already present at the site.
The town was home to one of the earliest and longest-operating sawmills in the Pacific Northwest. For over a century, the mill shaped the region’s lumber industry until its closure in 1995.
This colonial legacy is preserved in the town’s Victorian-era homes and general store, which features a museum showcasing Port Gamble’s logging history.
Kayaking
You can rent or buy all the gear you need to kayak or SUP at the Olympic Outdoor Center in Port Gamble.
Enter the Puget Sound from the spit that’s walking distance from this outfitter and start your journey on the Kitsap Peninsula National Water Trail. You’ll glide over saltwater shoreline, observing this region’s natural beauty from the water.
7. Poulsbo
Why Visit
If you take the Bainbridge ferry from Seattle en route to the national park, you’ll drive through Poulsbo, making it a convenient stop for food and sight-seeing. Not only is it convenient, but downtown Poulsbo is also pretty cute.
I live here and love walking on Front Street to pick up donuts from Sluy’s or the tastiest vegan burgers from Juicy J’s. (Honestly, even my carnivore husband loves their burgers.)
If you’re in the mood for Italian, Sogno di Vino is excellent.
POULSBO GUIDE
📍 Best Hotels & Stays: Fairfield by Marriott, GuestHouse Inn & Suites, The Sweetest Little Cabin
📍 Where to Eat: Juicy J’s Smoked Burgers, Tizley’s EuroPub, Poulsbo Woodfired Pizza
📍 Top Attractions: Front St (Little Norway), Liberty Bay Waterfront Park, SEA Discovery Center
Little Norway
Poulsbo, affectionately called ‘Little Norway,’ was featured in Smithsonian magazine’s article ‘Ten American Towns That Feel Like Europe.’
Scandinavian charm is evident in the wooden facades and decorative Norwegian motifs of local shops along Front Street, like Tizley’s EuroPub, where you can eat schnitzels and sausage and wash it down with a lager.
Town & Country Market
One of the smartest things you can do on your national park tour is load your car with snacks and food. Town & Country Market is a standout place to do just that. It’s a straight shot from the Bainbridge ferry on Hwy 305 to get to it.
The market features a pizza stand and, new in 2025, Field House restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
There’s also a sushi stand and a hot food bar, which I frequent weekly. My favorite thing to make is a taco bowl with shredded chicken and fresh guacamole!
Map of Olympic National Park Towns
To help visualize your journey, I’ve created a map showing the locations of these seven towns.
Tips for Visiting the Olympic Peninsula
Below are helpful things to know before you embark on your Olympic National Park tour.
Getting to the Olympic Peninsula
Take the Bainbridge Island Ferry
You can drive around the Puget Sound by heading south on the I-5 through Tacoma, then onto Hwy 16 to the Kitsap Peninsula.
But if it works with your schedule, take the Bainbridge Island Ferry. It’s only a thirty-minute ride, and if it’s a clear day, you’ll get one of the best views of Mount Rainier.
From Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo or Port Gamble are convenient stops.
Getting Around
Rent a Car
Having a car is the best way to explore. Public transportation options are limited and will require you to do extensive pre-planning.
Always drive the speed limit, especially on winding drives. It’s not uncommon for deer and other wildlife to run across roads.
Pad your schedule with extra time for driving and show up with patience.
What to Pack
Bring Layers
The weather is much more predictable in July and August, but I still pack a water-resistant, hooded, soft-shell jacket in my backpack. In June, September, and the rest of the year, a Gore-tex rain jacket is mandatory.
A backpack is essential for carrying water, snacks, and valuables.
Sturdy shoes with good tread are a must.
Carry Extra Supplies
I always stock my car with extra water and snacks when I travel around the peninsula. I keep a first aid kit in my car.
I stop at grocery stores to ensure I have something for dinner on me in case I finish my adventures long after restaurants close.
I try not to let my gas tank get lower than a quarter full, even though I know where the gas stations are.
I recommend filling up your gas tank when it’s half-empty if you’re unfamiliar with the area.
Bring Extra Cash
Carry cash on you. Some of the smaller establishments on the peninsula don’t take cards.
I’m always glad to have cash when I need it, and never sorry to carry it even if I don’t use it.
Need a place to stay? Book Olympic Lodge, a top-rated hotel with a high-end cabin feel and all the amenities you’ll need.
Wrap-Up: Towns Near Olympic National Park
As a local who lives just two hours from the park, I always look forward to weekend stays on the Olympic Peninsula! I love discovering new places to eat and hidden gems as I adventure.
Explore at least one of these seven towns near Olympic National Park to add value to your park tour.
