The Olympic Peninsula is a hidden gem on the West Coast of the United States. It’s a land of towering mountains, lush rainforests, and a stunning coastline. If you’re looking for a road trip that’s full of adventure, natural beauty, and delicious food, then the Olympic Peninsula is the perfect destination for you.
This 5-day itinerary will take you to some of the best spots on the peninsula. You’ll hike to stunning viewpoints, go whale watching, and sample some of the best seafood in the world.
So what are you waiting for? Start planning your Olympic Peninsula road trip today!
Keep reading if you’re planning to visit Washington State and looking for a unique road trip around the Olympic Peninsula and save the pin below for your next trip!
Things to Know Before You Go
Climate: It’s a marine climate which means you can expect cooler summers, mild and cloudy winters, and lots of moisture in the air. In the summer, daytime temperatures range from 65°F – 85°F (18°C – 29°C) while it can drop between 40°F – 50°F (4°C – 10°C) at night. Rainstorms move across the Olympic Peninsula even during the summer months so it is best to always have rain gear handy.
Best time to go: April through September is the best time to visit because it’s the lowest rainfall and milder temperatures.
Language: English is the predominant language.
Money: US Dollar ($USD). Most businesses accept cash and all major credit cards.
Tips Before You Go
- Make sure to gas up your car
- Take out cash from an ATM for roadside stands
- Create a moody road trip playlist (Twilight PNW Olympic Peninsula Playlist)
- Wear SPF – yes, even in the car (here’s my favorite tinted SPF)
- Pack a cooler with lots of water and high-protein snacks
- Don’t forget your sunglasses/hat/visor
- Be prepared for all weather conditions & pack layers +rain gear
- Bring motion sickness medication like Dramamine if you get carsick
How to Get to the Olympic Peninsula
✈️ Airport: The Seattle Tacoma (SEA) International Airport is the closest airport to fly into Washington State but you can also fly into Victoria International Airport (YYJ).
🚗 Car Rental: Easily rent a car here & save 70% at the Seattle Tacoma (SEA) International Airport.
⛴️ Ferry: Drive onto the Seattle-Bainbridge Island ferry, the Seattle-Bremerton ferry, or the Edmonds-Kingston ferry. Here is where you can find the Washington State Ferry Schedule and Fares.
If you’re coming from Canada, Black Ball Ferry is a 90-minute ride for about $22 USD between Victoria, BC and Port Angeles, Washington State.
🚌 Bus: The Dungeness Bus line provides service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Kingston, Edmonds, Discovery Bay, Sequim, and Port Angeles.
Getting Around
The Olympic Peninsula is not really the most convenient to get around without a car. I highly recommend renting a car or van
But the Clallam Transit System does run a bus line in and around Clallam County servicing Port Angeles, Sequim, and Forks as well as popular Olympic National Park destinations along the northern section of Highway 101.
Where to Stay
I highly recommend staying in Port Angeles because it’s the biggest city on the Peninsula, so you’ll have access to more things. However, if you’re camping there are plenty of campsites spread around the Peninsula or if you have a van there are a lot of safe places to camp/park as you make your way around.
We booked this Airbnb in Port Angeles. It’s great for a family or girls’ trip as it has an open-concept living, dining, and kitchen area. With incredible views from the wrap-around patio, you can watch the sunrise and sunset plus peep Mount Baker and the Puget Sound. There’s an outdoor BBQ, hot tub, plenty of outdoor seating for everyone, and a firepit for s’more night.
It’s a cozy home that is perfect if you’re planning some nights in. There are tons of board games for game night and hundreds of DVDs, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime streaming [unfortunately, no Twilight so bring your DVD or stream on Hulu]. The host provides a delicious blueberry crumble breakfast, a dozen eggs, oils, butter, and a stock kitchen of spices.
The Olympic Peninsula has so many great options for places to stay, it was hard to choose. Here’s a list of other places to stay that we considered:
Have a big group and need a lot of space? Book this lovely downtown home in Sequim
Minutes from the Olympic National Park is the Adventure Haven in Port Angeles
Cozy up in the heart of Forks for a Twilight getaway here or here
Splurge and relax at this Cozy Boho Home in Port Angeles here
Day 1 Seattle to Port Townsend
Port Townsend will be your first stop from Seattle onto the Peninsula, it’s located just 2 hours southwest of the city. It once was a major port for goods to and from Alaska but now is a small Victorian waterfront tourist town. It’s a quaint little town to explore the shops, art galleries, and cafes. But one of the main attractions is the state’s oldest lighthouse.
Port Wilson Lighthouse was built in 1879 and is one of the oldest lighthouses in the state. The lighthouse is located on a headland overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Today it serves as a public museum where visitors can see learn about the history of the area as well as the role the lighthouse played in shipping within the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 am-4 pm and charges $5 for adults and $3 for children’s admission.
There is a beautiful trail that goes around the lighthouse out to a viewpoint offering stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca on a clear day. It’s about 1.5 miles and there is parking with a Discover Pass and restrooms near the trailhead and lighthouse.
Day 2 Port Angeles & Olympic National Park
An hour’s drive from Port Townsend sits the Peninsula’s biggest city, Port Angeles. Port Angeles offers a cute historic downtown with a variety of shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Stop by the farmers market Saturday morning to grab local treats.
Olympic National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular national parks in the United States. It’s located just 10 minutes from downtown Port Angeles making PA (as the locals refer to it) the perfect base on the Olympic Peninsula.
Looking for hikes in Olympic National Park? Here are some of my favorites rated from easy to hard.
Madison Falls
Distance: .2 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 26 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass Required: National Park Pass or America the Beautiful
Pet Friendly: Yes
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Madison Falls is an easy trail that you can walk straight up to this 270-foot waterfall. Get up close and touch the water or feel the mist on your face as it cascades down the cliff face.
Marymere Falls
Distance: 1.7 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 298 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass Required: National Park Pass or America the Beautiful
Pet Friendly: No
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Marymere Falls is a short hike from Lake Crescent and the Storm King Ranger Station. This 90-foot waterfall is easy to access with a well-maintained trail. The falls are surrounded by old-growth forest and the ground is covered in lush green moss. Feel the mist on your face from the trail and find a rock to enjoy the peace and quiet. If you are hiking Mount Storm King, this is the perfect addition before or after.
Hall of Mosses
Distance: 1.1 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 78 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass Required: National Park Pass or America the Beautiful
Pet Friendly: No
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Another must-do hike that is more family-friendly is the Hall of Mosses in the Olympic National Park. It’s a short, flat, and easy .8-mile hike. Wandering through the forest with Douglas fir and Sitka spruce trees towering above you with their branches covered in moss hanging down in flowing strands creates a magical otherwordly atmosphere. It’s like walking through a living, breathing curtain of green.
Visiting during spring or fall will increase your chances of a moody misty day, giving you all the PNW vibes. In the summertime, there’s more chance of sunshine, which is absolutely stunning with sunbeams coming through the moss.
Mount Storm King
Distance: 4.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Pass Required: National Park Pass or America the Beautiful
Pet Friendly: No
Kid-Friendly: No
Mount Storm King is one of Washington State’s classic hikes and a popular peak located in Olympic National Park. It’s a challenging trail that offers absolutely stunning views of Olympic National Park’s mountains, forests, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Vancouver, British Columbia.
A perfect trail for a sunrise or sunset hike -but don’t forget your headlamp! You’ll park at Lake Crescent which in and of itself is a stunning turquoise lake surrounded by mountains and evergreens. There’s a nice jetty that you can walk out on and sit and relax before or after your hike.
The hike to the summit of Mount Storm King is 4.4 miles round-trip with 2,200 feet in elevation gain. The trail is well-maintained, but it is steep in some sections. There is a section that requires pulling yourself up with ropes followed by a narrow ridgeline. If you are not physically fit to do this or have a fear of heights, I do not recommend it. There are still absolutely breathtaking views from the overlooks below.
These sections can be dangerous when there are crowds of people, so I recommend starting early and if possible going on a weekday during the shoulder season (spring & fall). Don’t forget to pack your essentials and prepare for the Olympic Peninsula’s weather with layers.
Interesting Facts About Olympic National Park
- Became a National Park in 1938
- Designated a World Heritage Site in 1981
- Third-largest national park in the contiguous United States, after Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks
- One of the most visited national parks in the country
- The highest peak is Mount Olympus standing at 7,980 feet
After a long day exploring the Olympic National Park, it’s time for a delicious dinner! This famous restaurant will also get you ready for tomorrow (✨Twilight Day✨). Bella Italia is a family-owned Italian restaurant in Port Angeles. It has been serving up delicious Italian food for over 20 years. It became extra famous when Bella and Edward had their first and only “dinner date” in the first Twilight movie. Bella’s Mushroom Ravioli is the signature Twihard dish and I promise you it is worth the hype!
It’s a very warm, inviting, cozy spot with Italian artwork and a large fireplace. Bella Italia is very popular and is quite small with about 15 tables, so you’ll need to make a reservation (especially on weekends). The restaurant is open Thursday-Sunday for dinner 4 pm-9 pm and offers a moderately priced menu. (Salads $12 USD, pasta $15-20 USD, and seafood $25-25 USD)
Day 3 Forks ✨Twilight Day✨
Drive 1 hour from Port Angeles to the famous town of Forks. Twilight lovers click here for my Ultimate Guide to Exploring Forks, Washington! Don’t forget to stop by La Push and Rialto Beach.
Day 4 Cape Flattery
Two hours northwest of Port Angeles to the Northwesternmost point of the contiguous [lower 48] United States, Cape Flattery. It’s definitely worth the drive with towering cliffs, crashing waves, and lush rainforest.
There are several hiking trails that lead to the Cape, including the Cape Flattery Trail and the Shi Shi Beach Trail. The Cape Flattery Trail is a 2.4-mile round-trip hike that offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Shi Shi Beach Trail is a 4.4-mile round-trip hike that leads to a beautiful beach with tide pools and sea stacks.
- Wear sturdy shoes or boots, as the trails can be muddy in some areas.
- Be sure to bring your camera, as you’ll want to capture the beauty of this place.
- Allow about 3-4 hours to complete the hike to the cape.
- If you are visiting during the winter, be sure to check the weather conditions before you go. The roads may be closed due to snow or ice.
There are so many cute places to stop on the drive from Port Angeles to Cape Flattery. Roadside stands offering Fry Bread, tasting the delicious seafood at Calvins Crab House or Seafoam Seafoods, and exploring historical sites like the Ozette Archaeological Site, and the Makah Cultural Museum and Research Center.
If you’re interested in learning about the Makah people and their culture, then the Makah Cultural Museum and Research Center is a great place to visit. There are a variety of exhibits that showcase the Makah people’s rich culture through traditional clothing, tools, and artifacts.
Day 5 Tree of Life
The Tree of Life is a natural wonder on the Olympic Peninsula. It’s a Sitka spruce tree located on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean that has been eroded by the wind and waves. The tree is covered in moss and lichens, which give it a mystical appearance. But what makes this tree so popular and magical? Despite having no soil, roots that travel to nowhere, and no life supply besides the ocean air this tree is beyond thriving.
The Tree of Life is a symbol of resilience. It has survived for centuries, despite the harsh conditions of the coastal environment. It is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, life can find a way to thrive.
The Tree of Life is located on the Makah Reservation, so be sure to respect the tribe’s culture and traditions. Park in the Kalaloch Campground day-use area using your Discover Pass and then take the staircase down to the beach at the end of the parking lot. Facing the Pacific Ocean, walk to your right and you’ll see the 150′ tall tree with a 10′ diameter tree trunk of exposed roots with a cave underneath. It’s hard to miss! Be mindful of tide times as it can be dangerous to access the cave beneath the Tree of Life.
