Forum Discussion

Nutbolt's avatar
Nutbolt
Explorer
May 18, 2013

Olympic NP

I need to pick the brains of some of the NW forum members. I will be heading to Olympic NP from Mt Ranier in August. I have been there only once and it was a two day whirlwind in the fog and rain. Hardly saw a thing. Ihave a ton of questions and thought maybe some of ya'll could clue me in.

I will have a week or so to spend there.

I saw the Hoh Rainforest last time and did a short hike from the visitor center there. Then drove up to Hurricane Ridge (couldnt see 50 feet once on top - total bust).

So whats the scoop - I am looking for innfo on good dayhikes, the best campgrounds, and your favorite part of the park and why.

Best dayhikes?? I love to hike and can manage about 10-12 miles or possibly a bit more in a day. I love the "in your face" type scenery of places like the Tetons, Glacier NP, and Yosemite. Anything like that in Olympic??

How are the crowds that time of year?? I know Yellowstone and Yosemite can be wall to wall in August. I assume Olympic is less crowded?

Other good hikes/scenic drives outside the park in the area?? I love good scenery and good dayhikes and scenic drives. Gotta be some good ones around the area??

Finally....Good places to camp not in the park but around the area.

Thanks in advance to all who offer ideas/advice. Cant wait for launch day!!

todd
Truck Campers

7 Replies

  • endalby's avatar
    endalby
    Explorer
    May 21, 2013
    As one poster mentioned above it is going to extremlely crowded in Aug. The OLY Pens. is Seattle's playground in the summer. Reservations on the weekend will be impossible. Weekday you should be ok. I prefer Ft. Flagger State Park near Port Townsend (I was there last weekend with my boat going halibut fishing).

    Hoh is great if you get out and hike. Sol Duc will be crowded. Plus I really don't want to spend $18 to sit in hot water for a few hours (but my kids like it so I do it). Staircase is a great place but good luck getting in spot in there. But if you are willing to hit the gravel roads in the State owned portion of the park there are over 30 campgrounds away from everything. Over 1/2 them aren't on the maps but they are nice and secluded (mainly on the Hood Canal side). I only hit Neah Bay with my boat when the salmon are running and the few places to park/camp it can get extremly crowded and LOUD!
    IMO the best time to hit the OLY Pens. for crowds and weather is in September. But you may not have that option.
  • Nutbolt's avatar
    Nutbolt
    Explorer
    May 20, 2013
    Thanks for all the info guys. Neah Bay and Cape Flattery are definitely on the list. Iwent as far as Sequim?? last time. And Hurricane Ridge is on the lst as well.

    And the Ozette Lake hike towards the beach sounds great too.

    Thanks again all....
  • adrianl's avatar
    adrianl
    Explorer
    May 19, 2013
    As one of the other posters indicated, you have to do Neah Bay and do the short hike to Cape Flattery. It's the most northwestern point in the 48 states. We stayed at the Hobuck Beach Resort with our 32' Class A. There are plenty of spots open as Neah Bay is pretty remote and off the beaten trail. But, don't expect resort level accomodations. Most of the people that were near us were long term residents (mainly fisherman). Nonetheless, it's right on the beach and we truly enjoyed the area.

    On the western side of OP, I would recommend a couple places to stay, Kalaloch and Quinalt Rain Forest. Kalaloch is right on the Pacific Ocean and is popular and most spots don't have sewer. Quinalt RF is private run and has hookups but no sewer. Both of these have a ton of hiking trail heads nearby.

    On the northern side of OP, Sol Duc RV Resort is nice as you can use the hotel accommodations when staying in the RV spots. THe hike to Sol Duc hot springs is easy and a must.

    Before you leave the peninsula, there is a state campground called Fort Worden in Port Townsend. We stay here every Memorial Day weekend.
  • gorohoff's avatar
    gorohoff
    Explorer
    May 19, 2013
    For Olympic National Park, I think my favorite places are Sol Duc Hot Springs, Dear Park (due East of Hurricane Ridge, great camping, but far less developed), and Lake Ozette where you have an easy 3 mile hike to the ocean, then 3 miles along the beach, then 3 miles (on a different trail) back to the lake. The beaches of Olympic National Park are unique in the lower 48 for some of the longest stretches of completely undeveloped coast line. You can go backpacking along the beaches and barely see another human for a day or two at a time.
  • whizbang's avatar
    whizbang
    Explorer II
    May 19, 2013
    I stay away in August. Can you move your vacation out until September?
  • MKish's avatar
    MKish
    Explorer II
    May 18, 2013
    Don't forget Cape Flattery and Neah Bay. Not quite Olympic NP, but in the vicinity.

    We stayed at Hobuck Beach Resort at Neah Bay on the tent side so I can't say how the RV side is (it might have hookups). It's just okay for camping but located perfectly by the beach. Lots of dogs running loose though.

    Cape Flattery is a short walk but if you want in-your-face scenery, it's hard to beat. And driving that far without going all the WAY would be silly! :D
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    May 18, 2013
    I don't have a favorite. There are places to camp including along the ocean which is my preference. There are lots of books about day hiking in WA. You can hike near the ocean as well. Also take a look at WA State Park sites. You should consider taking a ferry over to Victoria from Port Angeles. Do not bring guns to Canada.

    Don't count on having cell coverage. Keep in mind that fuel stations can be very far apart!

About Travel Trailer Group

44,052 PostsLatest Activity: Oct 14, 2025