How to Make the Most of 3 Days in Olympic National Park
We spent a total of 3 days in Olympic National Park, exploring its lush rain forests and rugged coastlines. Interestingly, the national park was originally established to protect the Roosevelt elk, the largest subspecies of elk in North America.
Olympic National Park is not only one of the best national parks near Vancouver but also one of the most underrated in the United States. Alongside Mount Rainier and North Cascades National Park, it is one of the three national parks in Washington State.
3 Days in Olympic National Park: Itinerary & Map
Reaching Olympic National Park from Vancouver is very convenient. In fact, without accounting for traffic, the journey takes about 3 hours. The quickest route to reach the Olympic peninsula is to drive to Coupeville and take the ferry to Port Townsend. From here, you can then start your road trip itinerary.
To enter Olympic National Park you need to pay an entrance fee. Also, if you’re planning on visiting more national parks in a year, I recommend getting the America the Beautiful Pass. For only $80 a year, you can visit as many national parks as you want.
Below I summarize our long weekend itinerary of 3 days in Olympic National Park:
- DAY 1: Port Townsend – Hurricane Ridge – Port Angeles – Marymere Falls – Lake Crescent
- DAY 2: Hoh Rainforest – Rialto Beach – La Push – First / Second / Third Beach – Salmon Cascades
- DAY 3: Cape Flattery
In addition, if you have time to cover more ground, I recommend this 3 day road trip itinerary:
- DAY 1: Port Townsend – Hurricane Ridge – Port Angeles – Marymere Falls – Salmon Cascades – Sol Duc Hot Springs – Lake Crescent
- DAY 2: Hoh Rainforest – Rialto Beach – La Push – First / Second / Third Beach – Forks
- DAY 3: Cape Flattery – Shi Shi Beach
If you have even more time to spend 4 days in Olympic National Park, consider adding a hike to Mt Storm King.
Driving to Olympic National Park from Vancouver
Driving from Vancouver to Olympic National Park offers a picturesque journey filled with coastal scenery and lush landscapes.
Start by heading south on Highway 99, crossing the U.S. border into Washington State, and continue along I-5 to reach WA-20 West. This route takes you to Whidbey Island. Here, you’ll traverse the scenic Deception Pass Bridge before arriving in the charming town of Coupeville. Then, take the 30 minute ferry to Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula.
After arriving in Port Townsend, head west on WA-20 toward Port Angeles, a gateway to Olympic National Park. Along the way you can access popular attractions like Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, and other sections of the park.
Reaching Olympic National Park from Various Locations
To reach Olympic National Park using ferries, there are several options depending on your starting point.
- Seattle to Bainbridge Island/Bremerton: Crosses Puget Sound, connects to WA-305/WA-3, then US-101.
- Edmonds to Kingston: Direct route to WA-104 and US-101.
- Whidbey Island (Coupeville) to Port Townsend: Convenient access to the Olympic Peninsula.
- San Juan Islands to Anacortes: Connects to Whidbey Island and Coupeville-Port Townsend ferry.
- Victoria (BC) to Port Angeles: Direct ferry to Port Angeles via the Black Ball Ferry Line.
Tips for the Ferry Route Coupeville to Port Townsend
If you’re traveling from British Columbia, the ferry from Coupeville to Port Townsend is the most convenient way to reach the Olympic Peninsula. See below some helpful tips:
- Make a Reservation: Reserve a spot in advance to ensure you get on the ferry at your desired time. This ferry route is popular, especially during summer and weekends. In fact, we traveled in the shoulder season without a reservation and had to wait for a second ferry to get on.
- Staying overnight at Fort Casey: Ideal if you’re planning to take an early morning ferry. This campsite is next to the ferry terminal and features scenic views of Admiralty Inlet. You can enjoy exploring the historic military fort and relaxing by the campfire before your ferry trip. But, reservations are required at this campsite.
Fun Facts about Olympic National Park
To me, no national park trip is complete without spotting some wildlife. Luckily, the Olympic National Park houses a large range of iconic animals, such as the Roosevelt elk. These animals are also known as the “Olympic elk”. Also, they are the largest wild herd in the Pacific Northwest living in Olympic National Park. If you’re eager to see a Roosevelt Elk in Olympic National Park, the best viewing spot is the Hoh Rain Forest. But, remember to give the elk plenty of space and respect their right of way if you spot one!
Did you know that Olympic National Park inspired the Twilight series? In fact, the books, written by Stephenie Meyer, take place in the small town of Forks in Washington State. Also, other locations within the national park, such as the Hoh Rain Forest and Rialto Beach, are featured in the books. After spending 3 days in Olympic National Park, I can see how its dramatic landscapes helped shape the dark and mysterious atmosphere of Twilight.
Best time to visit Olympic National Park
The best time to visit Olympic National Park largely depends on what you want to experience. Late spring to early fall (May to September) is ideal for most visitors. That’s when weather is warm and dry, making it perfect for hiking, camping, and exploring the park’s diverse landscapes. I list below all the benefits per season for some more highlights.
- Spring showcases beautiful wildflowers and melting snow in the mountains.
- Summer offers full access to all trails and visitor services, although it can be crowded.
- Fall brings stunning foliage and cooler temperatures, with fewer visitors, although some higher elevation trails may start to close.
- Winter, while less popular, provides a quieter experience with snow-capped mountains and activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Ultimately, each season has its unique charm. So, your ideal time to visit Olympic National Park will depend on your interests! We decided to visit Olympic National Park at the beginning of October and loved every minute of our stay. Despite the cooler temperatures, we dressed warm, stayed dry and benefited from fewer crowds. In fact, while summer visitors often need to book ferries in advance and wake up early to avoid long lines, we appreciated the freedom of making last-minute decisions during our trip.
Camping in Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park offers a variety of camping options. Indeed, you can choose between front camping (including amenities) and backcountry camping for a more off-the-grid experience. Below is a comprehensive list of the main campsites in the North of Olympic National Park:
Developed Campgrounds
Most developed campgrounds in Olympic National Park allow reservations, particularly in the summer months. But, some operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Deer Park: First-come, first served | Tents only | Open June – mid October | Gravel access road
- Heart O’ the Hills: First-come, first served | RVs & Tents | Open Year round
- Fairholme: Reservations required May – September | RVs & Tents | Open April – September | Lakeside campsites
- Sol Duc: Reservations required March – November | RVs & Tents | Open March – November | Riverside campsites
- Hoh Rain Forest: Reservations required May – September | RVs & Tents | Open Year round
- Mora: Reservations required May – September | RVs & Tents | Open Year round | Near Rialto Beach
- Ozette: First-come, first served | RVs & Tents | Open Year round | Lakeside campsites
Backcountry Campsites
For backcountry camping, a wilderness permit is required, which can be obtained at visitor centers or through the park’s website.
Additionally, check the interactive map of the backpacking campsites in the Olympic National Park. This is a very informative and useful tool to check all the regulations and amenities at each campsite.
3 Days in Olympic National Park Trip Itinerary
Day 1 of 3 Days in Olympic National Park
Once in Port Townsend, we drove west towards Port Angeles. Just before turning into this small town, we veered left on Hurricane Ridge Road. We happened to be visiting Hurricane Ridge during the Crab Festival, which drew crowds downtown. This turned in our favor with minimal lines at the checkpoint and ample parking at the top.
At the end of Hurricane Ridge Road, you have multiple options to explore the surrounding area. I would recommend doing one of the hikes below for stunning viewpoints:
- Hurricane Hill Trail: 2 hours hiking time | 5.5 km / 3.4 miles | 252 m / 826 ft elevation gain
- Sunrise Viewpoint: 30 minutes hiking time | 1.4 km / 0.9 miles | 67 m / 220 ft elevation gain
The Hurricane Hill Trail winds along the mountain ridge, providing stunning views of the surrounding landscape. On a clear day, you can even see as far as Canada and Vancouver Island. If you’re pressed for time, consider the Sunrise Viewpoint Trail. This is a shorter hike that still rewards you with breathtaking panoramic views of the valley.
We then drove to Port Angeles for a quick shopping stop before heading to Marymere Falls. The parking lot is shared with hikers tackling Mt Storm King so it can get quite busy during peak season. The hike to the waterfall is mostly easy, but there is a slight elevation gain at the end. Overall, it’s a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the lush forest and enjoy the refreshing views of the falls.
As night approached, we made our way to our campsite. This time, we opted for a glamping spot across from Sol Duc Hot Spring Road, near Lake Crescent. While we usually camp in the backcountry, we decided to treat ourselves with the dropping temperatures. The campfire in the evening added to the magic of our stay, making it even more enjoyable.
Day 2 of 3 Days in Olympic National Park
On our second day, we drove to Hoh Rain Forest. If you’re traveling during peak season, I highly recommend arriving early. For instance, we had no trouble finding a parking spot around 11 a.m., but we visited in October when crowds were lighter.
Here, we hiked the Hall of Moss Trail, a loop that winds through lush, moss-covered trees and vibrant green vegetation. Moreover, if you’re lucky, you might even spot an elk along the way. Just be sure to keep a safe distance if you encounter any wildlife!
Next, we headed to Rialto Beach. With its striking black stones and dramatic landscape, this beach is one of the highlights of Olympic National Park. You can take a walk along the shore or relax on one of the many driftwood logs while soaking in the stunning ocean views.
From Rialto Beach we drove to La Push, where you’ll find First, Second and Third Beach. Yes, they really are called like that! It seems they ran out of creative names when it came to labeling these beautiful spots.
You can drive straight to First Beach and enjoy the views from the parking lot. But, you will need to walk ~ 30 minutes each way to reach both Second Beach and Third Beach. If you have time, visit them both. We for instance decided to enjoy Rialto Beach a bit longer and skipped Third Beach.
On our way back to the campsite, we stopped at the Salmon Cascades. Unfortunately, it seems we were late in the season, as we didn’t see any salmon jumping upstream. Also, if you have some extra time, I recommend checking out Sol Duc Hot Springs and the nearby trails. They’re definitely worth a visit!
Day 3 of 3 Days in Olympic National Park
While we’d been blessed with amazing sunny weather the first two days, our third day brought in the rain. Undeterred, we decided to drive the whole way to the most north western point in the United States: Cape Flattery. Well… this is only true for the contiguous territory, so Alaska is not included. Although it’s not technically part of the national park, visiting Cape Flattery was a bucket list item we were eager to check out.
To reach this point, we drove through several fishing towns, like Neah Bay. This area is mainly inhabited by indigenous communities, which also require you to pay a $20 entrance fee to access Cape Flattery area.
From the parking lot, the walk to the 4 main viewpoints is mostly easy and absolutely worth it. Also, we were lucky enough to see some sea otters and dolphins swim in front of Tatoosh Island.
If you have a full day to spend in this area, I recommend adding Shi Shi Beach to your list.
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Bellissimo ,molto interessante,bello e divertente.