If you enjoy the magical rainforest and amazing hikes with the beautiful view of Olympic Peninsula, beautiful lake and amazing beach, Olympic National Park is a place that offers a wide range of natural attraction for you to enjoy.

We did this trip during summer time (middle June) so weather is pretty good but the last day was hot due to the heat wave across the NorthWest Pacific.

We did not have much time in Olympic National Parks ( we spent 2 and half days there) but we did some amazing hikes and visited less crowded spots and still had great experience with Olympic National Park.

Our favorite spots:

1. Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach is a very popular spot for photography in Olympic National Park. Ruby Beach is easy to access. It is located just south of where the Hoh River meets the Pacific Ocean. Ruby Beach offers several miles of beach exploration, with unique rock formations and swirling sun-bleached driftwood.

2. Sol Duc Falls is a gorgeous waterfall trail in Sol Duc Valley.

Viewpoint of Sol Duc Falls Trail

The Sol Duc Valley is located in the northwest region of the park. The Sol Duc River serves as a vital path for coho salmon, which run through the valley and ascend to the lakes and headwaters in the surrounding mountains. From the viewpoint of Sol Duc Falls Trail, you get a nice view of the waterfall and the river flowing into it. The hike through the forest will be 1.6 mi.

Sol Duc Falls Trail

You can enjoy the amazing forest hike- Sol Duc Falls Trail

Sol Duc River- there is a stop before getting to the Sol Duc Falls Trailhead that you can enjoy the Sol Duc River.

3. Lake Crescent:

This is a beautiful, crystal-clear water lake that offers an amazing view of the mountains surrounded. From here, you can do the Marymere Falls Trail. The Marymere Falls Trail is a wonderful and short walk through old-growth forest, across log bridges and by flowing streams. The endpoint provides visitors with views of Marymere Falls.

Our list things to do

( for our next visit as well since we haven’t visited all of them this time!). Olympic Park is so big that there are so many things to explore!

1. Hoh Rain Forest: Everyone is talking about Hoh Rain Forest when they visit Olympic National Park. The Hall of Mosses Trail is the most popular trail in the Hoh Rain Forest. The enchanting 0.8-mile trail traverses under maples draped with large growths of spikemoss. Hoh sits west side of Olympic National Park, about a two-hour drive from Port Angeles and less than an hour from Forks.
2. Spruce Nature Trail (1.2-miles) nearby the Halls of Mosses Trail, which offers various interpretive signs along the forest scenic walk.
3. The Marymere Falls Trail is a wonderful and short walk through old-growth forest, across log bridges and by flowing streams. The endpoint provides visitors with views of Marymere Falls.
4. Hurricane Ridge ( 3.4 miles): If you want to get a panoramic view of Olympic Range, Puget Sound, and Vancouver Island.

Note:

• Olympic Park is very big and it takes time to drive to different destinations. So be prepared to drive 1-2 hrs between places.
• When we’re there, the line for Hoh Rainforest was really long. So better to get there early, maybe early in the morning to avoid the crowds
• Weather can be hot during summer time
• The water is very cold at Ruby Beach when we were there so we cannot swim in Ruby Beach. However, you can easily enjoy swimming, kayaking at the Lake Crescent.

Here is our recommendation: If you have

• 1 Day: Hoh Rainforest and Lake Crescent, which have plenty of things to do and see to fill a day
• 2 Days: Spend the first day at Hurricane Ridge, and do the Hoh Rainforest and Rialto/Ruby Beach on your second day. If you have more time, you can do Sol Duc Falls Trail.

Where to stay

• Port angeles: small town but charming. We love this town. It is also very close to Victoria and you can even take the ferry to Victoria as well. This is better option than Forks, Port Angeles is close to a lot of places (Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, Sequim). However, if you decide to stay here, you will need to drive 1hr to Soi Duc Falls and 1h30 h to the Hoh Rain Forest.
• Forks: it is convenient in terms of location but there is not a lot of options for food. It is an easy access from Forks to port angeles, Lake Crescent, Ruby Beach, Hoh Rain forest.

Things nearby

Sequim: If you love lavenders, you must visit Sequim. It is just 15 mins from Port Angeles. This town offers the largest lavender farms in North America. There is also our favorite Lavenders farm (B&B Family Farm) where you can get free tour and learn a lot about lavender. I’ve never known that there are so many types of lavenders!

Make sure to check out Ediz Hook in Port Angeles: this is best place to watch sunset in Port Angeles! You have amazing view of Canada as well.

What to eat in Port Angeles

• Kokopelli grill: they have the best grilled oyster and salmon!

• Fogtown coffee bar : Good coffee
• First street haven : good brunch place. However, during pandemic, they only offer take out or limited seating.
• Chestnut cottage restaurant: the airbnb owner recommended us this place but we haven’t had chance to try 🙂

Hope you have a great time at Olympic National Park as well and share your experience with us!