Mount Rainier & Olympic NP's- August

[russelln]

Planning our August 2018 trip to your wonderful country. This year we only have roughly 2 weeks to be on the road.
We are starting from our base in NE Oregon and want to visit Mt Rainier & Olympic NPs.
We will probably travel up to Walla Walla then west through Yakima to Mt Rainier then on to Olympic NP doing a clockwise trip around and back to Olympia then south down the coast to Astoria OR. Then east on the 84 to home base.
What I am asking for is any must see's or don't do's or general suggestions.
Also camping suggestions for the National Parks. We are travelling in a 24' Class C with a small toad. I realise August may be a busy time of year.
Thanks for any and all thoughts
Russell

[rollexx]

I might suggest taking 101 from Olympia toward
Port Angeles and follow it counterclockwise around
the NP. Then follow 101 all the way down to Astoria.
Don’t miss Cape Disappointment State Park before
crossing the river into Oregon. If you like fish and chips
a must do is a stop at the Bowpicker across the street
from the Maritime Museum in Astoria. Just look for the boat and
the line of people.
As someone else mentioned, Cannon Beach and also
Ecola State Park is one of the most scenic areas on
The Oregon coast. About 15 miles south of Astoria on
101.
As for camping around Olympic NP it might be Hard to
find a spot inside the park at this point. They fill up fast.
I would suggest Trying Fort Worden State Park in Port
Townsend . The town is worth a visit regardless.
Sequim State Park is another option or the Salt Creek
Recreation Area has a very nice campground.
You could spend a few days in this area exploring the north
side. Hurricane Ridge is a must see area.
Then head around to Forks. They have a few private
RV Parks. From there you can explore the west
side. Cape Flattery, La Push, the Hoh Rain Forest.
Then just continue on down 101 to Oregon.

[profdant139]

We stayed at Ohanapecosh a few years ago, in August. Very beautiful but kind of warm and humid -- it is at a much lower elevation than White River. The good news is that there are lots of places nearby to take a dip in some nice, cool snowmelt -- this was near Stafford Falls, on the Eastside Trail, just a few miles from O'cosh. The water temp was about fifty degrees Fahrenheit -- very refreshing, as you can see from the big smiles on our faces:


Click For Full-Size Image.

If you do decide to swim in the streams, be sure to bring sturdy sandals that can be fastened securely. Slip-on sandals will slip off, and the gravel in the streambed can be pretty sharp.

[Dr__Blake]

We have been to both; Rainier is one of the best, we stayed at Ohanapecosh campground in our trailer. Was a bit tight in our spot but the hiking and scenery made up for it! We spent 5 days there and loved it.

We also stayed at Sol Duc campground, great place too. But its wet; even when the sun was out. We were damp the whole time we were there. Worth the trip but be prepared for the damp. My towel didnt dry until we left for drier pastures. Spent 5 days here too.

We visited both in the beginning of August.

[russelln]

clikrf8 wrote:
Welcome to the USA. We love you Kiwis. Have a wonderful time. Check out which waterfalls along 84 were damaged. I think most ar3 okay but check them out. Lovely and the mist will cool you off.

Thank you! We have made some fantastic friends in your country and love travelling in your great land.
Please come down and visit us sometime too!

Russell

[clikrf8]

Welcome to the USA. We love you Kiwis. Have a wonderful time. Check out which waterfalls along 84 were damaged. I think most ar3 okay but check them out. Lovely and the mist will cool you off.

[russelln]

bikendan wrote:

russelln wrote:

enblethen wrote:
OP is from New Zealand.
Washington is having issues with enhanced drivers liscense

Not sure what you mean?
Over the years we have driven over 30.000 miles in the US. We travelled for 6 months in 2008 and have been back most years since.

He was referring to ScottG's post about the new US enhanced driver license.
Scott apparently didn't see you are from another country.

Thanks for the explanation. Russell

[bikendan]

russelln wrote:

enblethen wrote:
OP is from New Zealand.
Washington is having issues with enhanced drivers liscense

Not sure what you mean?
Over the years we have driven over 30.000 miles in the US. We travelled for 6 months in 2008 and have been back most years since.

He was referring to ScottG's post about the new US enhanced driver license.
Scott apparently didn't see you are from another country.

[russelln]

Thanks for the suggestions. Much appreciated!

[russelln]

enblethen wrote:
OP is from New Zealand.
Washington is having issues with enhanced drivers liscense

Not sure what you mean?
Over the years we have driven over 30.000 miles in the US. We travelled for 6 months in 2008 and have been back most years since.

[profdant139]

We liked White River at Rainier -- higher altitude, cooler temps in the summer.

In the Olympics, we liked both Sol Duc and Hoh Valley.

[rhagfo]

Durb wrote:
I might recommend Mt Haven RV resort about a mile from the Nisqually entrance of Mt. Rainier NP if you desire full hook ups and a reservation. Budget 1 or 2 days max unless you are really into hiking.

X2 to Mount Haven Resort! Very nice private park.

[dennis1]

My Rainier has three Campgrounds. Ohanapecosh, Cougar Rock, and White River. White River is the only one with no reservation and no dump station. ohanapecosh has no view of Mt Rainier. I like White River campground because it’s closer to my home.

[Durb]

I might recommend Mt Haven RV resort about a mile from the Nisqually entrance of Mt. Rainier NP if you desire full hook ups and a reservation. Budget 1 or 2 days max unless you are really into hiking.

[enblethen]

OP is from New Zealand.
Washington is having issues with enhanced drivers liscense