Visiting Olympic National Park And Wondering What To See?
Or what to do? Here are seven places scattered throughout the Olympic National Park NOT to be missed!
Trust me, there are many beautiful areas of this country but in terms of sheer dramatic effect…Olympic National Park definitely earns a place at the top!
Just short of a million acres, you can experience no less than FOUR different ecosystems…all in one day!
Mountain peaks and high alpine valleys, old growth forests, a temperate rainforest, and 62 miles of undeveloped coastline, make the Olympic Peninsula a traveler’s (and photographer’s) daydream.
So without further ado…let’s get started!
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1. Lake Quinault Lodge
The expansive grounds overlooking Lake Quinault inspires you to take a deep breath and enjoy the beauty around you. Take the virtual tour here!
Located on the shores of Lake Quinault, this 1926 lodge is styled after Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn.
And it will definitely take you back in time to bygone eras.
The lodge’s interior is made of dark wood and you’ll find elk antlers hanging above the brick fireplace.
It was after staying here at the Lake Quinault Lodge that President Franklin Roosevelt renamed the area Olympic National Park in 1938.
If you want to experience the ambiance of the roaring 20’s, try one of the rooms in the main lodge. Here, you will also find the impressive Roosevelt Dining Room.
Traveling with kids? Or if you prefer more modern décor, you’ll find the Lakeside and Boathouse rooms relaxing. It’s a perfect place to wind down after a day of exploring.
But even if you’re just passing through, take a few minutes to check out the lodge…I promise you it’s well worth it.
2. World’s Largest Sitka Spruce
Just up the road from Lake Quinault Lodge, you’ll find a trailhead that leads you down the path to another inspiring sight.
In the Valley of the Rain Forest, this Sitka Spruce is 58’ in circumference and 191’ tall. It is said to be about 1,000 years old!
The packed gravel path is well maintained and easy to walk. And there’s lots of other interesting trees and sights to explore along the way.
I enjoyed the walk just as much as I did seeing this giant tree. It’s not everyday you can walk through a temperate rain forest and enjoy nature at your leisure.
And it’s a great way for the kids to burn off some energy too!
3. Ruby Beach
Taking Highway 101 out to the coast, you’ll soon see signs for Ruby Beach.
Take Ruby Beach Road and park in the designated lot. Then follow the path down to the beach and get ready to gasp. (I know I did!)
Ruby Beach is named for the red sand found along the waterline but beware, it’s not a sandy beach. (Wear shoes that you don’t mind getting wet because trust me…you won’t be able to help yourself!)
One of the coolest beaches in Olympic National Park
The beach is mostly made up of rocks you’ll find washed up by the surf.
And for the rock collectors out there, you’ll be mesmerized for hours! I finally had to be pulled away after a few hours of beach combing and I left with pockets full of unusual rocks in all shapes, sizes and colors!
Further out beyond the surf, you’ll find sea stacks of different shapes and sizes too.
They create such a beautiful sight that lends drama everywhere you look.
You can expect to spend at least an hour or two here taking it all in.
4. Hoh Rain Forest
North of Lake Quinault, and easily accessible on Highway 101 from Ruby Beach, is the Hoh Rain Forest.
One of the most unique features of Olympic National Park, the Hoh gets over 11 feet (140″) of rain every year!
Want to explore the Hoh Rain Forest on foot?
From the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, you can take one of two well-maintained walking paths (they both make a loop).
Here you can experience the rain forest first-hand and both are easy walks –and great for kids.
Each loop is just about a mile long.
The entire time I walked through this rain forest, I kept expecting to see little gnomes and fairies flitting about between the trees.
The entire forest has an other-worldly feel to it and you find yourself whispering so as not to disturb anything (or anyone)!
Check out the NPS website for more info on the Hoh Rain Forest here.
5. Rialto Beach
From the town of Forks, take Highway 110 (aka La Push Road) west to Mora Road.
Mora Road ends at Rialto Beach where you can park and walk the short distance to the beach. (The parking area has bathroom facilities –yay!)
Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park is one of those places I could spend all day exploring.
There are mountains of beautiful driftwood everywhere you look, which makes the artist in me just itch to take some home.
The tiny rocks that make up the beach are eye-catching too and beg to be examined closer. (I just can’t help myself. I love collecting interesting rocks!)
Be sure to check out Hole in the Wall
At the north end of the beach (about 2 miles from the parking lot) you’ll find Hole in the Wall – a rock formation with (you guessed it) a hole.
And at low tide you can walk through the hole to the beach on the other side.
Created by volcanic action, the holes in the cliffs are cool to see and explore.
The many tide pools provide a look into another world…the different species you find make each pool its own piece of art. It’s definitely well worth the walk!
6. Lake Crescent
About an hour from Rialto Beach on Highway 101 you’ll come upon Lake Crescent and the Lake Crescent Lodge.
Built in 1915 and one of five lodges found in Olympic National Park, Lake Crescent Lodge truly has that early turn of the century look and feel.
The Lodge sits right on the lake shore. Check out the virtual tour here.
If you want to stay overnight and soak up the scenery, there are a variety of rooms in the main lodge, as well as one- and two-bedroom cabins and cottages on the property.
Be sure to read the descriptions carefully as some rooms do not have TVs or phones.
In the historic lodge rooms, you have to be 18 years or older and there are no private bathrooms – so here’s your chance to really unplug and take a trip into the past!
Lake Crescent has tons of things to do
Here, you’ll find fishing, hiking, guided boat tours of the lake and even paddle boards for rent.
Or you can simply relax and soak up the sun on the shores of the lake.
When you get hungry, the lodge has a fantastic dining room that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There’s also Singer Tavern Lounge where you can enjoy local wines while looking out over the lake.
7. Hurricane Ridge
From Port Angeles at the northern end of Olympic National Park, take Hurricane Ridge Road south to the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center.
It’s about a 40- minute drive and the views are breathtaking. Check out the webcam!
At the visitor center you’ll find a well-supplied gift shop, restroom facilities, and even a snack bar.
One of the most beautiful picnic spots in Olympic National Park!
My advice…stop in Port Angeles and pick up food and drinks and enjoy a picnic here at one of the outdoor picnic tables – although you may find yourself too busy taking in the views to actually eat!
Take the time to enjoy the guided talk given by the rangers here – they are very informative and full of interesting tidbits.
We were even able watch deer grazing just a few feet away during the ranger’s talk.
From here there are also several trailheads that you can set off from and explore.
There is a paved walkway to the top of the ridge behind the visitor center with views that are truly incredible.
On a clear day you can see Vancouver Island in the distance!
So Many Sights, So Little Time
There are so many things to do and see in Olympic National Park – it’s definitely an amazingly diverse and beautiful national park.
From rainforests to dramatic sea stacks lining the coastline to the high alpine valley, Olympic National Park has something for everyone.
There’s of course much more to see than what I’ve discussed here but these seven places are my favorites. I would absolutely return just to see each one of these places again!
Hopefully, I’ve given you a starting point to help you plan your visit. If you’re looking for more national park posts, check out my 3-5 Day Grand Teton National Park itinerary.
Happy exploring and embrace your inner dragonfly!
When are you planning to visit Olympic National Park? Have you been before? What was your favorite part? Leave me a comment down below! I’d love to hear from you!
