Forum Discussion

TCI's avatar
TCI
Explorer
Apr 16, 2013

Olympic Natl Park Info

We are heading to Olympic NP in May. I know it's huge and am looking for suggestions on the best areas to visit. We like short hikes, scenery, visitors centers and anything else interesting. We are traveling north on 101 from Oregon. Any info is apprecitated.
  • WE did pretty much the whole park (well not all the hiking trails) in about a weeks time. Camped at Ho Rainforest, Hurricane Ridge, and just outside the park on the Hood canal "Seal Rock" campground. Didn't get to see any ship wrecks but then there could have been an aircraft carrier 200 yards off shore and we wouldn't have been able to see it for the fog :) Don't recall ANYTHING that wasn't worth visiting.
    Good luck / Skip
  • spacedoutbob wrote:
    I like the Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge and along the Pacific also, You can see shipwrecks off the coast.

    Bob in Calif.

    That's a new one on this native, Bob- where can you see shipwrecks off the Washington Coast?

    For the O.P.:

    The last stretch of wilderness beach in the U.S.A. is in the Park between La Push and Cape Flattery. Access is limited to two points: Rialto Beach at the south end, and Shi Shi beach at the north end.

    There's an NP campground near Rialto, but northern access is by going through the Makah reservation at Neah Bay. Hobuck Beach "resort" there has a few RV spots and a bigger drycamping area....beautiful beaches, but don't expect too much in the "nice campground" department.

    If you do get out that far west, Cape Flattery is accessible by an easy walking trail, and if you take it you'll find yourself standing on the northwesternmost tip of the contiguous United States!

    FYI:
    The only Park access on the East side of the peninsula is at Lake Cushman near Hoodsport.
  • I like the Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge and along the Pacific also, You can see shipwrecks off the coast. Have a Great Trip!

    Bob in Calif.
  • We like all of the above areas, but also Lake Quinault. Nice little golf course 9-hole, lot's of hiking and the best creme brulee at the Lodge.

    We stay at the private campground near the lodge that has water and electric and is next to the golf course.
  • Definitely travel up the western side, the east has lots of 'business' and real estate for sale.

    X2 on Hoh Rain Forest, and other areas along the western slopes and the Pacific Ocean ...
  • We are heading to Olympic NP in May. I know it's huge and am looking for suggestions on the best areas to visit. We like short hikes, scenery, visitors centers and anything else interesting. We are traveling north on 101 from Oregon. Any info is apprecitated.



    Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc, Hoh Rain Forest.