The Perfect Place; the Perfect Trip
Though my college essay revolves heavily around the importance of being mindful, it can’t hurt to daydream every now and then. And, what better thing to daydream of than one of the best places on this Earth: Olympic National Park.
As the “organizer” of the family, I usually end up researching the must-do activities for every trip and studying every map to plan the best route. Sometimes, my family even gets a little annoyed with my type-a, hustle-bustle personality on supposed relaxing vacations, and the subsequent early wake-up times and packed days. So, I figured I would channel some of this energy into my blog post instead!
Part 1: Considering the Logistics
Olympic National Park is located right on the coastline of the beautiful state of Washington- which also means it is one of the farthest places from Illinois in the continental U.S. So, be prepared for a long plane flight, I believe at least five hours. Bring books, (bonus points if you bring Twilight!), snacks, and a pre-downloaded playlist to listen to as you romanticize the trip ahead. The closest airport is the Seattle-Tacoma airport, which is about two hours away from the park itself.
Port Angeles
Timing-wise, this trip requires five full days in the park and two travel days. You may also consider staying a few extra days to visit Mount Rainier, a relatively nearby park. Due to the mountainous climate and subsequent snow and fog, I would recommend visiting during late July- and even then, be prepared for some snow on the trails.
Finally, an important aspect to consider is where you will be staying. Like many National Parks, there isn’t much civilization nearby. This makes it all the more fun however, as you can get some of the road trip experience every day. I would recommend staying in Port Angeles, a medium-sized city about an hour from the park. There are many Airbnb options, which may be a little pricier but are worth it for the comfort and spaciousness.
Day 1: Crescent Lake
Crescent Lake is the perfect place to start your visit! It is about an hour’s drive from the entrance, in which you can admire the scenery and get a feel for the park. The main draw of this area is the glacier-created Lake which has a beautiful azure color and is surrounded by mountains on every side.
Of course, the day here will begin with a hike! Beginning at the Storm King Ranger Station, walk along the “Marymere Falls Trail” to reach an astonishing waterfall view! Loop back the other way, onto the “Moments in Time Trail”, where
A view of Crescent Lake
you can admire ancient-looking plant life. This path winds around to the historic Lake Crescent Lodge (about 6 miles total), where you can grab a bite to eat and enjoy some Lavender Lemonade!
From there, the lake offers activities for the rest of the afternoon. I would recommend renting a canoe or kayak to explore the lake some more- do be careful of the strong current, Naomi and I very nearly missed getting caught in it.
Day 2: Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane Ridge is one of the main areas in the park- and thus, has one of the best visitors center! Definitely take some time to look in the gift shop, admire the view from the patio out back, and stock up on water!!
There are a series of small loops around the visitor center- while very steep, these are a pretty good warm-up for the day. Admire the beautiful wildflowers growing along the side of the trail, and also be on the lookout for bears! This is a
The mountain range along Hurricane Ridge
great place to spot them- please remember to be respectful though! These series of loops add up to about two miles and give a great feel of the Hurricane Ridge area. Somehow, Naomi and I lost our parents here (one of the most straightforward paths in the park)- so try to stay together if you can!
The second hike of the day is very intense- be sure you are well hydrated, as there is no shade, and it is straight uphill. This is the “Hurricane Ridge Trail”, which should definitely not be missed! You will get amazing views of the mountain range everywhere you look, and a view of Canada at the top. Don’t forget to cool off with a snowball fight with snow from still-frozen glaciers!
Day 3: Rialto Beach
Be sure to check the tidal schedule before planning this day! You want to arrive about half an hour before low tide to get the full tide pooling experience- which for us meant leaving the AirBnB around 5 a.m.- it’s worth it, I promise! Rialto Beach is about a 2-hour drive from the entrance, passing through Forks, where you can live out your Twilight
One of many star fish!
fantasies. Don’t be fooled by the heat in other areas of the park though, it is constantly
Misty Rialto Beach
about 40 degrees and misty, so be prepared with layers.
Be sure to admire all the sea life: starfish, anemones, and mollusks as you walk along the foggy beach to the famous “Hole in the Wall” rock formation. I was completely in awe of this part of the park- it felt like an entire world completely, so definitely don’t miss it!
Day 4: The Hoh Rainforest
The Hoh River
The Hoh Rainforest is famous for being a World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO- due to this, it is one of the most popular areas of the park. In fact, my family had to wait in a line of cars for about 2 hours to get in, so try to get there earlier in the day if you can!
Warm up with the popular “Spruce Rainforest Trail”, about a 1-mile hike that serves as a great introduction to the
unique biosphere here. Than, take the Hoh River Trail out to an astonishingly clear river and back, about three miles. This trail goes on for 37 miles, so feel free to hike some more as you please!
Day 5: Sol Duc Springs
The Olympic Hot Springs is a smaller part of the park, so it is definitely best if you’re looking for a less rigorous day towards the end of the trip. This part of the park is known for the Sol Duc Springs Resort, where you can rent a cabin and stay for the night!
The Sol Duc River
To start the day, hike through the forested Sol Duc Falls trail! This is a heavily wooded, gradual uphill trail that leads to the Sol Duc waterfall. Once you reach the end, take some time to enjoy the scenery and wade in the river as you wish!
After the hike, relax in the natural hot springs. These are located behind the resort, and there are a variety of different temperature springs to choose from. Beware, it does smell a lot like sulfur and attracts a resort crowd that you wouldn’t typically see in a National Park.
And that wraps up the perfect five-day trip to Olympic National Park! My favorite thing about this park is the wide variety of features it has- from biodiverse rainforests to glacier-formed lakes, mountain ranges, misty coastlines, and hot springs, there is something for everyone. I hope you found this itinerary helpful, and let me know in the comments if you have or plan to visit Olympic National Park!
Kayla, I am in awe of your knowledge and passion for Olympic National Park. You set any reader up for success by making sure to have a spot at a multitude of biodiverse areas, while pairing that with the intensity of visiting a National Park. I think that you should make people pay for an itinerary such as this one, because your expertise should not go unnoticed.
Thank you for taking the time to not only talk about each place you recommend or where someone should spend their days, but also giving us your own personal advice and experiences. You shared a variety of great tips, such as checking the tide schedule, that I know I would miss if I were taking this trip.
As I was reading, I grew a desire to take this trip myself, also with my family. While we have been to a few National Parks, we are constantly talking about what opportunities we are missing out on by not visiting more. Though we aren’t the most adventurous, I still believe our trip would be a success, using your itinerary of course. You make this trip an enjoyable time for a variety of different types of people. Great work!
YES TO ALL OF THIS! I LOVE Olympic National Park and the PNW SOOOO MUCH. I might do a post inspired by yours! Also, I was obsessed with Twilight