Olympic Peninsula loop
Rainforest, hot springs and wild Pacific coast.
A four-day loop from Seattle around the Olympic Peninsula — the Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge and driftwood-strewn Rialto Beach, ferries included.
Port Gamble Historic Museum
A whole New England-style mill town frozen in time on the water, worth a short wander.
32400 N Rainier Ave, Port Gamble
Salsbury Point County Park
A quiet waterfront pull-off on Hood Canal, a good leg-stretch with views of the bridge.
Whitford Rd, Poulsbo
Waterfront Trail, Olympic Discovery Trail
An easy shoreline path with views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Vancouver Island.
💡 Go near sunset — the light over the Strait toward Vancouver Island is best then.
Port Angeles
Downriggers on the Water
A solid seafood dinner right on the harbor to cap the drive day.
115 E Railroad Ave Ste 207, Port Angeles
Overnight in Port Angeles, WA
- View
Browse places to stay
Port Angeles, WA · $$
Booking happens on the partner's site.
- Reserve the Edmonds–Kingston ferry crossing in advance for summer travel
- Port Angeles hotels near the waterfront have easy free parking, no permit zones
- Fill the gas tank in Port Angeles — services get sparse west and south of town
- Point No Point Lighthouse+9 mi
Puget Sound's oldest lighthouse, a nice short detour with beach access near Hansville.
- Olympic Game Farm+12 mi
Drive-through wildlife park near Sequim, a quirky roadside nature stop.
Hurricane Ridge
Sweeping views of the snow-capped Olympic Mountains, one of the park's signature panoramas.
💡 Timed-entry reservation required in peak season — book ahead; road can close for weather.
Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane Hill Nature Trial
A rewarding ridge hike with 360-degree views to the Strait, Canada, and the interior peaks.
💡 Start early — fitness required, exposed ridge, weather changes fast up here.
Lake Crescent
A strikingly clear glacial lake ringed by forested peaks, one of the park's calmest beauty spots.
Lake Crescent
Marymere Falls Trailhead
A gentle old-growth forest walk to a graceful waterfall, easy enough after the ridge hike.
💡 Trailhead at Storm King Ranger Station, moderate 2.7km round trip.
227693-227769 Olympic Hwy, Port Angeles
Overnight in Port Angeles, WA
- View
Browse places to stay
Port Angeles, WA · $$
Booking happens on the partner's site.
- Hurricane Ridge Road may require reservations or close for snow — check conditions before driving up
- Bring layers — temperature swings hard between town and the ridge
- No cell service past the visitor center, download park maps in advance
- Sol Duc Falls+19 mi
A three-tiered waterfall deep in old-growth forest, roughly 45 minutes further west.
- Elwha River Valley+12 mi
Quiet river canyon trails and hot springs remnants, a lesser-visited corner of the park.
Ruby Beach
Sea stacks and driftwood-strewn sand on the wild Pacific coast, one of Olympic's iconic shorelines.
💡 Tide-dependent — check tide tables, low tide reveals tide pools and more beach.
Ruby Beach
Hall of Mosses Trailhead
An easy loop through the Hoh Rainforest's moss-draped old growth, unlike any forest most visitors have seen.
💡 Go midday for best light through the canopy; parking fills early at the Hoh visitor center.
Hoh Valley Rd, Forks
Duffy's
A reliable local diner in Aberdeen for a hearty dinner after a long, scenic driving day.
1605 Simpson Ave, Aberdeen
Overnight in Aberdeen, WA
- View
Browse places to stay
Aberdeen, WA · $$
Booking happens on the partner's site.
- Fill up in Forks — long stretches on 101 have no services
- Hoh Rainforest Road can fill and close by mid-morning in summer, arrive early
- Aberdeen has easy street parking near downtown motels, no restricted zones
- Kalaloch Tree of Life+1 mi
A famous cliffside tree with roots exposed over a hollow, a quick photo stop right off 101.
- Quinault Rainforest+16 mi
Home to some of the world's largest Sitka spruce and a scenic lake loop drive.
Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls
A compact, easy riverside park with waterfalls right off the highway, a good stretch stop.
110 Deschutes Way SW, Tumwater
- I-5 through Tacoma can jam midday — check traffic before the final stretch
- No stops planned inside Seattle — return the rental gas tank full if applicable
- Tumwater Falls Park has free parking right off the interstate exit
- Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge+6 mi
Boardwalk trails through estuary wetlands, a peaceful last nature stop before the city.
- Wolf Haven International+12 mi
A wolf sanctuary near Olympia offering guided walks, a distinctive detour for animal lovers.
Make this trip your own
Plan your own road trip →This route was drafted with AI. Please double-check roads, opening hours and local conditions before you go.
Made with Roadtrip Planner