Olympic National Park Guided Tour
Three ecosystems in one park: glacier-capped peaks, temperate rain forest, and 73 miles of wild Pacific coastline. A guided half day from Port Angeles is the easiest way to see how it fits together.
Washington
Olympic National Park & Peninsula
The Olympic Peninsula is Washington's wild corner: a mountain-ringed national park with glaciers on the skyline, one of the largest temperate rain forests on earth, and some 73 miles of untouched Pacific coastline, all ringed by a loop of highway and a necklace of small towns.
Port Angeles is the northern gateway to Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent and Sol Duc; the Hoh Rain Forest and the sea-stack beaches of Rialto and Ruby lie to the west; Sequim brings lavender and sunshine in the rain shadow; and Victorian Port Townsend, Fort Worden and the Coho ferry to Victoria round out the north. This guide covers 22 attractions, 9 places to stay and 6 travel guides, with guided tours from Port Angeles and Seattle wherever they exist.
Don't miss
Olympic National Park Guided Tour
Three ecosystems in one park: glacier-capped peaks, temperate rain forest, and 73 miles of wild Pacific coastline. A guided half day from Port Angeles is the easiest way to see how it fits together.
Hurricane Ridge and Sol Duc Guided Tour
A 5,242-foot mountain viewpoint 17 miles above Port Angeles, with glacier-topped peaks, alpine meadows and Strait of Juan de Fuca views. Pair it with Sol Duc on a guided day.
Hoh Rain Forest and Rialto Beach Guided Tour
Moss-draped maples, 300-foot Sitka spruce and a hush that feels prehistoric. The Hoh is the Olympic Peninsula's signature rain forest, and a guided day pairs it with Rialto Beach.
Lake Crescent
A deep, glacier-carved lake with startlingly clear blue water, a 1916 lodge, a waterfall trail and some of the best kayaking in the park.
Things to do in Olympic National Park & Peninsula
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Hurricane Ridge and Sol Duc Guided Tour
A 5,242-foot mountain viewpoint 17 miles above Port Angeles, with glacier-topped peaks, alpine meadows and Strait of Juan de Fuca views. Pair it with Sol Duc on a guided day.
Hurricane Ridge Guided Snowshoe Tour
A guided winter walk across the snow-covered meadows of Hurricane Ridge, with mountain views and a naturalist-led look at how the high country handles winter.
Hoh Rain Forest and Rialto Beach Guided Tour
Moss-draped maples, 300-foot Sitka spruce and a hush that feels prehistoric. The Hoh is the Olympic Peninsula's signature rain forest, and a guided day pairs it with Rialto Beach.
Rialto Beach Tide Pooling Hike
A wild driftwood beach near La Push where sea stacks, tide pools and the Hole-in-the-Wall arch are a short walk away. Time it with the tide and bring good shoes.
Ruby Beach and Kalaloch
Sea stacks, driftwood piles and tide pools along Highway 101. Ruby Beach is the easiest wild beach on the peninsula, and Kalaloch has the famous Tree of Life.
Lake Crescent
A deep, glacier-carved lake with startlingly clear blue water, a 1916 lodge, a waterfall trail and some of the best kayaking in the park.
Sol Duc Falls and Hot Springs
A mossy old-growth valley, an easy trail to a multi-channel waterfall, and a mineral hot springs resort. Sol Duc is the north park at its most atmospheric.
Lake Quinault
A glacial lake ringed by temperate rain forest on the southwest side of the peninsula, with a 1926 lodge, giant spruce and some of the wettest hiking in the lower 48.
Lake Ozette and Cape Alava
A boardwalk through the forest to the westernmost point in the contiguous United States, with petroglyphs, tide pools and a Makah archaeological story.
Cape Flattery and Neah Bay
The northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States: a cedar boardwalk through coastal forest to cliffs, sea caves and Tatoosh Island, on Makah tribal land.
Dungeness Spit and Lighthouse
One of the longest natural sand spits in the United States: a 5.5-mile curve of beach and driftwood with a lighthouse at the far end, inside a national wildlife refuge.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Olympic Lodge Port Angeles
Port Angeles
A practical, comfortable Port Angeles base on the north side of the peninsula, close to the ferry dock, the waterfront and the road up to Hurricane Ridge.
Check rates →Lake Crescent Lodge
Lake Crescent
A 1916 lodge on the shore of Lake Crescent, with a sunroom, lakeside lawn, cottages and rowboats, inside the national park.
Check rates →
$$$Lake Quinault Lodge
Lake Quinault
A 1926 cedar-shingled lodge on Lake Quinault with a big fireplace, lawn, rain forest trails and an old-fashioned park-lodge atmosphere.
Check rates →Quileute Oceanside Resort
La Push
Oceanfront cabins and motel rooms on First Beach at La Push, steps from the surf and a short drive from Rialto Beach and Forks.
Check rates →Manresa Castle
Port Townsend Uptown
A Victorian Gothic hilltop castle built in 1892, with harbor views, a restaurant and a spirited reputation for ghosts, above Port Townsend.
Check rates →Palace Hotel Port Townsend
Port Townsend Waterfront
An 1889 landmark on Water Street, steps from the harbor, shops and restaurants, with rooms full of period character and a colorful past.
Check rates →The Resort at Port Ludlow
Port Ludlow
A waterfront resort on Ludlow Bay with an inn, golf, a marina, trails and spa, about 20 minutes south of Port Townsend.
Check rates →Sequim Bay Lodge
Sequim Bay
A lodge-style hotel near Sequim Bay with mountain views, in the sunny rain shadow close to lavender farms, Dungeness Spit and the Olympic Discovery Trail.
Check rates →Red Lion Inn and Suites Sequim
Sequim
A convenient chain hotel in Sequim, on the main route between Port Angeles and Port Townsend, near lavender farms, Dungeness Spit and downtown dining.
Check rates →Tour + stay
Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Olympic National Park Guided TourStay
Olympic Lodge Port AngelesPort Angeles
Do
Hurricane Ridge and Sol Duc Guided TourStay
Manresa CastlePort Townsend Uptown
Do
Hoh Rain Forest and Rialto Beach Guided TourStay
Lake Quinault LodgeLake Quinault
While you are there
What’s on in Olympic National Park & Peninsula
Concerts, shows and games are on sale in the coming months, from stadium nights to small rooms. Our sister site Purveyor lists them with dates, venues and seats.
Also nearby: Port Angeles
Olympic National Park & Peninsula guides
The Olympic Peninsula in Three Days: Mountains, Lake and Wild Coast
A three-day loop that sequences Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, the Hoh Rain Forest and the Pacific beaches without wasting hours on the road.
Where to Stay on the Olympic Peninsula: Port Angeles, Lodges, Coast and Seaport
A guide to choosing a base, from Port Angeles and Sequim to Lake Crescent, Lake Quinault, La Push and Port Townsend.
The Best Time to Visit the Olympic Peninsula: Season by Season
How weather, road access, crowds and wildlife change through the year, and which months suit mountains, rain forest, beaches and towns.
The Olympic Peninsula with Kids: Easy Trails, Tide Pools and Ferry Rides
Family-friendly walks, beaches, lodges and tips for taking children to Olympic National Park and the surrounding towns.
Eating and Drinking on the Olympic Peninsula: Crab, Oysters, Lavender and Pub Beer
What to eat around the peninsula: Dungeness crab and oysters, Sequim produce, Port Townsend breweries, lodge dining and where to stock up before the wild parts.
Olympic Peninsula from Seattle: Ferries, Routes and Day Trips
How to reach the peninsula from Seattle by ferry and road, which routes save time, and when a guided day trip beats driving.
