Its like its a rainforest or something. Ruby Beach is a stretch of classically rocky Washington beach where the Pacific ocean pounds into the Olympic Peninsula. Day passes are available to guests if theres enough availability, and theres dining on-site for when you get hungry. He is now a regular contributor to SmarterTravel. The Queen Anne residents have been to Vancouver, London, Rio, and PyeongChang with various friends. Start early. Unfortunately, theres not a whole lot else to do around Cape Flattery, so make your way to your next stop. I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. 1. When you step out of your car in Hoh Rainforest, its easy to see why First Nations people in Washington thought these woods were home to spirits. Winter in Olympic National Park looks beautiful, but its going to be stormy and wet. Youll want to drive to/through Forks, and only stop for 1-2 hours at the Hoh Rainforest and Ruby Beach respectively. Today, youll make your way along the Pacific Coast, starting at the northern tip near Neah Bay and Cape Flattery, and making your way south to end your day with a sunset hike at Rialto Beach. Head up north for a Vancouver Island road trip! Your last stop on your grand tour of Olympic National Park is going to be Lake Quinault and the Quinault Rainforest.Like the Hoh Rainforest, the best time to visit the rainforest is definitely early in the morning. 4. Depending on the time you arrive, you could also explore Port Angeles or take a hike up Hurricane Ridge before the sun sets. Hoh Rainforest. The stroll through the Quinault Rainforest is quick and easy just a half mile and youll make your way along a well-defined, flat path lined with interpretive signs that will probably teach you some things about the temperate rainforest. This one drops you in Kingston on the other side of the Hood Canal, and from there youd head west until meeting up with US 101, which you follow to the park. It has the most diverse set of landscapes of any national park weve ever been to, with a dazzling array of ecosystems ranging from sandy ocean beaches to rugged alpine terrain. As its name suggests, Port Angeles is a port town, and also has ferry access to Victoria, British Colombia. Start your day off with a cup of coffee (duh) and a quick breakfast before hitting the road and heading up towards Neah Bay. This post was originally written in January 2015, and was updated in October 2017, January 2019, and January 2021. Your car will smell amazing if you buy this at the start of your trip and leave it in there all weekend! They said some seats in the D section might cost less than $100 each. I hope you have a great trip! From the trailhead, its a mile and a half up to an incredible 360 degree view of the surrounding area. Im planning a 5 -7 day trip from San Jose, CA to Olympia. There are multiple options to drive from Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula. As you plan your trip to the Olympic Peninsula, here are the different entrances you can use to get there: Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles: Northern Olympic Peninsula (near the ferry station for Victoria, BC and Vancouver Island, BC Canada) There are a bunch of short and sweet trails leaving from the visitors center, like the Hoh Ridge Trail and the Cirque Rim Trail. Please respect the Makah Tribe and make sure to Leave No Trace. Olympic is more diverse than any other national park I've been to. Paris 2024 Summer Olympics - Summer Olympic Games in France The second would be to stay outside of Tokyo's city center, and ride transport into the city. Most host cities are exceptional destinations with or without the Games, and can be even better during the Olympics when even the non-sports attractions will get caught up in Olympic fever and put their best foot forward. Youve got to be a Twi-hard, I think theyre called? Lake Quinault is another beautiful lake to stop at when you get to the end of your Olympic Peninsula road trip. Research the athletes. I-5 can often be a parking lot. After your hike, head back to the visitors center and do some of the shorter hikes that leave from there before making the descent back down to sea level. Give yourself over to the whole thing and you can be a true part of the Olympic spirit. Spend a night or two in the backcountry! Tokyo has some of the most efficient and varied urban transport in the world, and that won't change during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. You can customize your road trip from Seattle as much as you want. Kicking off with the Olympic opening ceremony on July 26, 2024, the Olympic Games will run through Aug. 11, 2024. Hurricane Ridge is the crme de la crme for day hikes on the Olympic Peninsula, particularly during summertime. If youre planning on making it to three or more national parks in the next 12 months, Id recommend buying the America the Beautiful Pass, which gives you free entrance to every park in the US for 12 months. There you have it some of the best places to stop during an Olympic Peninsula road trip! The starting tower was surrounded by picnickers, and the local spectators were perhaps 50 to 80 meters from the athletes at the starting line. Whaley and Bennett say the hardest thing about the trip is finding accommodations because people start overselling their rental homes early, and the same can be said for hotels. Ive seen many wildlife during the summer who want to share the trail with me (mainly deer, but bears are in the area!). I hope you can make it some day! Mike Whaley and Jason Bennett have been to four Olympic games. Plus, youll find some ideas for what else to do if you have more time at the end. You may choose to see only the beaches when you go on your trip, or you might want to just look at the rainforest. Its family-friendly, mostly flat, and is well worth the minimal effort. However, the highlight here is the Hurricane Hill Trail, which is just a little bit further up the road past the Visitors Center. Two of Washingtons best backpacking trails are in Olympic National Park the High Divide and Seven Lakes Basin, and the Enchanted Valley. Required fields are marked *. Learn how your comment data is processed. This dam isnt actually a dam anymore; in 2011-2012, the dam was removed. This beautiful lake is a great place to go on some easy hikes on the Olympic Peninsula and relax before ending your trip. Forks is a great place to explore the Olympic Coast and the Hoh River Rainforest. Do I use a travel agent, and if so, how do I find one for a trip like this? You can tell the ranger how much time you have and what type of activities youre looking for so they can make the appropriate suggestions of what to do. If youre looking for a short but scenic Olympic Peninsula hike, check out Sol Duc Falls. Spend the night along the northern coast near Neah Bay so that you can see Cape Flattery at its finest around sunset. We have rented a cabin for 3 days a couple hrs away from Hoh Rainforest, Taholah, Wa. The area has stunning sea stacks standing out against the turmoiled waters, and this beautiful rugged beach is like no beach youve seen before. What is one of the most popular destinations I am asked about when people learn I lived in Seattle? Along the Pacific Coast of the Olympic Peninsula, there is stunning coastline and beautiful beaches. Whether you start your road trip by driving off the ferry or its your first stop north from Olympia, Bremerton is the largest town youll pass through. I hope you have a great road trip! Editors note: The 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo have been postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, you could also choose to stay in one place during the whole trip and just drive back to it each night. , Thanks for reading, Nicole, and thanks so much for the tip! In the morning, on your Olympic Peninsula drive, leave from Port Angeles and head west on the Highway towards the Elwha River Valley. Oh, and the temperate rainforests, which are the most unique natural feature that youll find on the Olympic Peninsula. I live in Olympia, and Ive been to Aberdeen often. There are a variety of businesses still capitalizing on the famous books and movies. Olympic is very large and there are no roads that cross the park. Of course, this isn't just because of the events schedule or the venues Tokyo has purpose-built for the games. DONT FEED THE GULLS. A lot of other itineraries you might find are chock-full of hikes and detours and diversions but theres no way to squeeze it all into three days unless youre rushing and driving a ton. You can go hiking, forest bathing, wander along the coast, or sample your way through the small coastal towns in Washington. The city has a fascinating Marine Life Center found along the waterfront. That means itll be trickier to drive around the Olympic Peninsula, and many of the top hikes in Olympic National Park wont be accessible. You can visit as many or as few as you choose Ive also added two suggested itineraries at the bottom of this post to help you sort it all out. Haneda Airport, also known as Tokyo International Airport, is located just 15 kilometers south of central Tokyo, or a 15-minute train ride. Are you planning a trip to the Olympic Peninsula? I always love stopping here on an Olympic National Park loop drive during the morning, as the town is still relatively quiet. I'm here to fill you in on all the details from when to visit, how to get there, what to pack, and of course all the best spots to see in Olympic National Park! This makes it a great stop for lunch on your Olympic Peninsula road trip. Download our free stunning Olympic National Park Trip Planner filled with an inspiring itinerary, gorgeous photographs, a park map and everything you need to plan your dream vacation on the Olympic Peninsula. Get into the spirit of it all. If youre a bird-lover, youll absolutely love the variety of birds you can spot in the area. These include scuba diving, stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, kayaking, and much more. Satya Soviet Patnaik shields himself from the sun while waiting in line to take a photo at the historic Welcome to Las Vegas Sign during a heat wave in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 14, 2023. Wilderness Backpacking Reservations - Olympic National Park (U.S Day 2: Port Angeles to Forks. The Best 3 Day Olympic National Park Itinerary If youre coming from elsewhere, the best way to get to Olympic National Park is going to be flying into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac, SEA), renting a car, and following the instructions for getting to/from the park from Seattle. By about 10am, the trails are packed with people. You can stop at Port Gamble Museum to learn about the towns history and how settlers adjusted to life here. If you want to camp, stay at Mora Campground, which is about five minutes from Rialto (perfect for sunset) and is a nice campground that we enjoyed we stayed there on our trip. Kalaloch is south of Ruby Beach, and is home to a couple of main attractions that make it worth a stop on your way home. Permit reservations for the summer season (May 15th through October 15th . This is the best time to get great weather, but it is probably the most crowded. Olympic National Park was one of our favorite stops on our Washington road trip, though we didnt spend nearly as much time exploring the massive park as we would have liked. How to Travel to See the Rio 2016 Olympics - AFAR Otherwise, Leavenworth, Mount Hood, Bend are our other four stops, so kind of a circle. High-demand events can be insanely costly, but they do have different sections to save money. 5 ideas to start planning your trip to the Olympics | king5.com How to plan a trip to the Paris 2024 Olympics - Lonely Planet Travel Stories France Paris Paris 2024 Olympics: flights, tickets, accommodation - everything you need to know to go Vivian Song Jul 26, 2023 9 min read The Paris 2024 Olympics will be like no other before. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox, Where to Go Before and After the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. Olympic National Park is massive just under a million acres and its size means that there are several distinct ecosystems within the boundaries of Washingtons biggest national park. There is plenty to explore during your Olympic Peninsula road trip, from beautiful hot springs to a river that was once a dam to the abundance of the elk population. Here is the full list of authorized vendors by country for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. This Olympic National Park Weekend Itinerary is perfect for people who live in Seattle. I want to take my son to the next olympics in Paris for his 16 year old trip with Dad. I have no idea how to plan a trip like this but dont want to miss out on the opportunity through procastination. Once you arrive on the Olympic Peninsula connect to Hwy 101 to reach any destinations in and around Olympic National Park. Brace yourself, as there is quite a bit of speculative pricing that can go on, and availability can be hard to come by; in fact, one 2020 Olympic hopeful I know booked their entire family into double rooms at a Tokyo love hotel, yikes. With gorgeous rainforests, alpine highlands, and beautiful lakeshores, the Olympic Peninsula provides the perfect opportunity for a spectacular weekend vacation from Seattle. Ukraine war latest: Kyiv says soldiers will enter Crimea 'soon Start your time in Olympic National Park off with a trip up to Hurricane Ridge, which is an interesting journey that takes you from sea level in Port Angeles up more than 5,000 feet to the Hurricane Ridge VIsitors Center. Rain and thunderstorms are a possibility. Port Angeles is a darling historic coastal town that is home to almost 20,000 people. You can also visit One Square Inch of Silence, which claims to be the quietest outdoor spot in America. Crowds and wildlife. Otherwise, youll be doing a ton of driving. Have you ever thought about going to the Olympics? Then theres Olympia to Seattle. We like this one for couples, and this one for bigger groups. Lets take a look at the best stops and must-see places before you head out on your Olympic Peninsula road trip. The Olympic Peninsula provides an abundance of stunning coastlines and beaches, and Ruby Beach is one of the best Olympic Peninsula beaches. The drive will take you about four hours without traffic. You have to go out and around to access the lake, which is worth a stop for the Cape Alava Trail. Entrance Fees: Entrance to Olympic National Park will cost you $30 for seven days (includes one vehicle and the people in it). I wanted to rent a car in Hillsboro and spend my vacation there. Now that weve got some of the logistics out of the way, lets get into how to spend a long weekend exploring Olympic National Park. The Quinault Rain Forest Trailhead is easy to hike and observe the trees. We are now one year away from the start of the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Its roughly equidistant between Lake Crescent and Hurricane Ridge, which makes it a great choice. Matt grew up in Seattle, and lived in San Francisco for just shy of a decade before he and Alysha quit their jobs to travel the world untethered. You can make it as long or short as youd like weve done the 5 mile hike out to Mineral Creek Falls and back, and enjoyed it. Ive adjusted the 2-hour recommendation to 2.5-hours, but I think it is unreasonable to assume it will always take 5 hours and that someone should stop overnight on the way back that would make it more than a 3-day road trip, too. Be prepared to be very, very wet though. Here are some things to think about adding on to your trip. Plus, part of the trip involves a ferry ride across Puget Sound. Whaley and Bennett usually start planning 3-6 months after the end of the previous Olympics. , Haha, no worriesthats what most people think of! This post was first written in 2020 and last updated in March 2023. The sign as you enter Aberdeen reads Come As You Are, embracing Cobains impact on the Pacific Northwest music scene and what draws so many travelers to the area. It can be muddy, which is why its important to pack some good hiking boots for your trip to Olympic National Park. I love exploring the world, whether its to a faraway country or a hike in the Pacific Northwest. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. Its worth stopping in Neah Bay at the Makah Cultural and Research Center to check out the museum, where you can learn more about the history of the Tribe and the land youre exploring. There are 14 campgrounds inside Olympic National Park (along with quite a few along the boundaries). If youre wondering why this is a circular drive without any stops in the middle of the map, its because you cannot drive through Olympic National Park. In this guide, you'll discover everything you need to know to plan the perfect Olympic National Park Itinerary - the best things to do, where to stay, how to organize your time - to help you plan an unforgettable adventure. Part of this hike involves using ropes to climb a rocky slope to reach the summit, which might not be a good choice for people who are wary of heights. My blog posts likely contain affiliate links, including for the Amazon Associates program.If you click, book, or buy from one of these links, I may earn a commission. Its famous for hiking, camping, and of course, going on a legendary Olympic Peninsula road trip. Thanks very much. Thanks for your comment, Darlene. In this post, I promote travel to destinations that are the traditional lands of many First Nations peoples. Thanks, Bob! You can also stop year-round at stores such as Purple Haze Organic Lavender Farm and Olympic Lavender Company. Theres also a cool marine life center down along the waterfront where you can learn about some of the species that live in the water around Port Angeles. This cute town is a popular Seattle day trip when people feel like getting out of the city. Plan Like A Park Ranger - Top 10 Tips for Visiting Olympic National IfyouchooseOptionB, you could make the detour to Port Townsend (adding an extra 30 minutes of driving time), plus swing through Sequim and stop to stretch your legs by walking along Dungeness Spit. From the trailhead, its a 3.5 mile hike out to the beach (one way). This will allow you to spend some more time in one of the most spectacular parts of the park, and will make it an easier day to head out to Ozette Lake. Hoh Rainforest is one of the natural wonders of Olympic National Park and a must-see during your Olympic Peninsula road trip. Its a 25-mile drive from Port Angeles and is a must-see for any visitor. For tickets closer to and during Games-time, CoSport.com will continue to sell tickets for Americans via the website., Additionally, once you arrive in the host city, you can purchase tickets locally at event venues and other official Olympic locations. 140 Del Guzzi Drive, Port Angeles, WA 98682 . I recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing during your Olympic Peninsula road trip. After a great day of exploring, head back to explore Port Angeles attractions and enjoy a meal in town. Alternatively, go in the opposite direction and stop at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. It costs $20 and is good for the calendar year.. 1. All permits are created through Recreation.gov via the Olympic National Park Wilderness Permit page. Keep your eyes open along the way for birds and other wildlife, since this area is a wildlife preserve too. No matter how you plan it, Day 3 is the longest day on the road but there arent a ton of options for where to stay along the Pacific Coast of the Olympic Peninsula unless you plan to camp. Take your time exploring this region, as its undoubtedly one of a kind. Thats why I recommend having a multi-day Olympic Peninsula itinerary so you can see the different parts of it, as a journey is here one of the best things to do in the Pacific Northwest. Here's everything you need to plan an unforgettable drive 'round the Olympic Peninsula. I will say that we really like the Hoh Valley Cabins. The Pacific side of the peninsula gets a lot of rain year-round its just warmer in between the showers during the spring and summer than during the autumn or winter. On the way back, make sure to put Lake Quinault on your Olympic Peninsula road trip itinerary. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To get to the visitor center from Port Angeles, drive south for about 17 miles along Hurricane Ridge Road. The other way to start your Olympic Peninsula road trip is by driving down to Olympia, to access Highway 101. Its reservable in advance. I recommend stopping here whether youre visiting for the weekend or just on an Olympic National Park one day trip. Early morning is also the best time to catch a glimpse of the Roosevelt elk that call the Hoh Rainforest home. The first step to getting your butt in a seat at the Olympics is getting a ticket for that seat. Spoiler alert dont be surprised that Forks looks nothing like it does in the film. There are two ways to get to the Olympic Peninsula for a road trip. Your email address will not be published. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge. Many trails take you to waterfall hikes, old homestead sites, and the Olympic Mountain range views. Finally, make your way back home with your camera filled with memorable images and a happy heart. Alternatively, you can decide to head west to Forks for the night, so youll be further west at the start of the following day. These can be a bit tricky to figure outfor example, in London, you could not see rowing at all because the venue was surrounded by a huge moat (English enough?) Now that youre totally set and psyched to do an Olympic Peninsula road trip, the question is: where do you stop? Sleep in Olympia. To start, heres a map of the stops I recommend on your Olympic Peninsula road trip: I built this map with Roadtrippers, which is my favorite tool for planning road trips. Alternatively, you could also grab a coffee and take a stroll through the town for a quiet start to the morning as you start your road trip to Olympic National Park. 5 people shot outside Rainier Beach Safeway at community event aimed at deterring violence, Washington officials preparing for extended wildfire season, Extreme heat moves east where many will see their hottest days of the year. How to Plan an Epic Olympic Peninsula Road Trip Valerie & Valise Are you planning an Olympic Peninsula road trip? If you have more time and enjoy the beach, I definitely recommend a day in Ocean Shores. The smell isnt great when the paper mill is operating, but there are some beautiful historic buildings including a Carnegie Library and the Jefferson County Courthouse and a cute downtown you can explore. Here, you can learn about the various species that call this area home. Round-trip, nonstop flights between the U.S. and Seoul routinely go for well over $1,400. You may even be able to save money if you wait for tickets day-of, but there's no guarantee. This is the perfect weekend trip from Seattle, where you can drive through the park and see the highlights! If you need a light snack, coffee, or the internet to check in, you can stop at the Quinault Internet Cafe for a bit. Weve got you covered. Travel to Tokyo Olympics: Plan your Trip - Japan Rail Pass Day 1 drive all the way to Medford, OR stoping in Redding and explore Shasta Trinity Forest and Cascade Siskiyou National Monument. You may also see a plethora of sea life when the tide goes out, such as crabs, geoducks, and starfish. Charise, thanks for your comment! How to plan a trip to the Paris 2024 Olympics - Lonely Planet The iconic Lake Crescent area is one of the most rewarding stops on your Olympic National Park road trip and one youll want to put on your Washington State bucket list. How to Plan an Epic Olympic Peninsula Road Trip Valerie & Valise How to Plan a Last-Minute Trip to the 2018 Winter Olympics in The Obstruction Point sits at 6,105 feet and offers some of the parks most panoramic vistas and wildlife-rich trails. After you arrive in Aberdeen, its a 109-mile (175 km) or 2- to 3-hour drive back to Seattle (depending on traffic). Here you will adventure to an old ice glacier-carved valley. This guide will help you plan a spectacular Olympic Peninsula trip if youre looking to explore the Peninsula. Here are some ideas to help you get inspired for how to fill an Olympic National Park 3 day itinerary: Trust me, youll find there are more great things to do on the Olympic Peninsula than youll ever have time for on a 3-day road trip. Port Townsend is a classic Washington town: located at the northeast corner of the Olympic Peninsula, its primary industries are focused on timber and seafood. If you can avoid backpacks and bags, you can save time and aggravation. It pays out after two visits (each visit costs $30, the pass costs $80). As youll see in the itinerary below, because the park is so big youll probably want to spend each night in a different place. One of the most relaxing things to do on the Olympic Peninsula is to stop at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. The hotel comes with an outdoor pool, a bistro, a fitness room, a business center, and an on . Its still fun to see the random signs and memorabilia around the city. Port Angeles is the other major town youll pass through in the Olympic Peninsula, home to almost 20,000 people. There are some stunning historic buildings downtown to check out if you like architecture. Youll pass the town of Port Gamble shortly after getting off the Kingston ferry as you begin the Olympic Peninsula loop. Use patience and persistence to find accommodations. As you get farther from the main venues, transport connections can become more tricky. Theres some good driftwood out on the beach, though its quite a detour for those with limited time. The good news is that its flat! Day 1: Seattle to Port Angeles, Sunset at Hurricane Ridge. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. What say you? If youd rather stay in a vacation rental, where youll generally have more space and a full kitchen, look at these options near forks. For the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, for example, you can choose between Narita and Haneda. If you can make it out to Five Mile Island, which would be a 10 mile round trip hike, its a great place to have lunch with views of Bogachiel Peak before you turn around and head back the way you came. You can see costs here, which varies depending on how many people are in the car, and what kind of vehicle you have. While you may decide to head home at this point, you can also extend your trip by one more night if you want to be rested first. If youre hungry, especially for dinner, Alder Wood Bistro is delightful, and Mr. V and I had a wonderful multi-course dinner there on one Olympic Peninsula road trip we made in early 2016. (Not sure thats something I should be proud of) But it does look like such a beautiful area, even without werewolves and sparkly vampires. On the way back, stop by Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, where youll find hot springs that you can take a soak after a long day of exploring. The couple gets a lot of attention with their American flair - red, white and blue onesies, sunglasses, and ponchos are usually part of the mix. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics are sure to be one for the record books. That said, purchasing from the official outlets does tend to ensure some level of quality as well as a centralized location, so it is always worth a look. The spit is home to the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and a plethora of wildlife and bird species.
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