Olympic National Park

Looking to explore the epitome of the Pacific Northwest? Well, look no further than Olympic National Park in Washington State. As one of the largest national parks in the US originally created by President Teddy Roosevelt, it is perfect for families with children, big and small. The Olympic National Park offers almost every kind of ecosystem and environment to explore and a breadth of things to do all year long. From rainforests, to lakes, to oceans, and mountains, the park has so much to offer! Hiking, playing on the shores of Washington, sledding in the winter, fishing, seeing rainforests, and observing wildlife. This is a definite must see for the entire family.

We’ve done the research for you and compiled the most important things to see, do, and experience on your Olympic National Park vacation. We’ve also included some important tips and tricks to make your adventure as easy and enjoyable as possible, especially if you’re bringing little explorers with you. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi5IkGFjLPQ

Here’s all the must do’s and must knows for your Olympic National Park vacation:

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This is definitely a road trip kind of trip.

You’ll be spending a lot of time in the car and a lot of time on Highway 101 as it fully encompasses the entire park. Make sure you are road trip ready with snacks, water, entertainment and more. Pit stops are available but spread out and limited in offerings. So travel prepared! We recommend audiobooks and movies for the kiddos so you can enjoy the scenic drive (in quiet). For the even littler ones, drive during nap time. You may want to bring some anti-nausea medicine too if you have some sensitive travelers. Enjoy the drive as you travel throughout the 70 miles of scenic, protected coastline. 

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When should you go to Olympic National Park and how long should you plan to visit?

Summer and Fall are ideal times to visit Olympic National Park—typically June through September. The weather is more temperate and you can fully experience all the areas of the park. If you do go in winter, however, you’ll get to do some super fun winter activities which may be perfect for your family! But plan ahead and do some research—some accommodations are closed in the winter and you may experience road closures as well.

Whenever you plan to go, plan at least 3 days. This is not a day trip kind of place. Especially if you want to spend time on all sides of the park. If you’re flying into Seattle (Sea-Tac Airport), spend 1 day exploring the city, then make your way to Olympic National Park. Spend another 5 days traveling around the park, ending back in Seattle. One last day exploring the city, and then fly home. Don’t rush the adventure. There’s so much to see in the park and you’ll want some flexibility to explore and get sidetracked. No matter when  you go, pack for weather! Rain jackets are a must, even in summer months. 

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Where will you stay?

Your Olympic National Park adventure will definitely require some overnight accommodations. You won’t find many chain hotels throughout the surrounding cities; so plan to stay at Airbnbs, lodges, bed and breakfasts, or opt for camping. When researching your options, think about what you want to see in the park, proximity to those spots, whether the accommodations are kid friendly, pet friendly and what amenities they have. Some have minimum required nights and some are more flexible. Some of our favorite lodges include: Lake Crescent Lodge, Lake Quinault Lodge, and Kalaloch Lodge. 

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Be prepared to explore the shore.

The Olympic National Park is part of the Olympic peninsula in Washington. So it is surrounded by water. There are tons of beaches and shores to explore and these will likely be fan favorites of the trip. Here are our top 4 suggestions:

1. Ocean Shores

Ocean Shores is a beautiful location that sits on the southwest part of the park region and is a picturesque shore town, complete with seafood, kite flying, water sports, and more.

2. Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach is a must see and is close to the Kalaloch Lodge if you plan on staying there. You’ll find tide pools, wildlife, and stretches of perfect sand. BONUS: Stop by Kalaloch Ranger Station (open seasonally) for a special Junior Ranger booklet to use while exploring the beach. This book can be used and completed throughout your journey in the ONP. Activities and achievements are completed and your little Junior Ranger will be rewarded with special patches at the end of your trip!

3. Second Beach

Another beloved beach attraction in the park is Second Beach in La Push (a small town on the peninsula with several amazing beach destinations). Walk less than a mile via the access trail to Second Beach and see the sea rock formations, large ocean mammals, and various tide pools. Lots of wildlife lives at Second Beach because it is a protected environment. Soak it all in! 

4. Lake Crescent & Fairholme Beach

We’ll end our abbreviated list of beach stops along the Olympic National Park with Lake Crescent and Fairholme Beach. Although not an ocean shore, Lake Crescent is a beautiful body of water full of fun. It’s super accessible off 101 and has designated swimming areas at the Fairholme Beach part of the lake. There’s both deep water to explore, but shallow pools for the little ones to enjoy. If you’re a fan of camping, Fairholme would be a great option!

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Related articles:

• 4 National Parks Perfect for Little Kids
• 5 Baby-Friendly Backpacking Locations in the US
• 20 Coronavirus Travel Tips to Keep Your Family Safe

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Put your hiking boots on to explore Olympic National Park! 

You can’t explore Olympic National Park without hiking. It’s a must do in order to get the full experience of the park, the rainforests, the waterfalls, and more. But don’t worry! There’s lots of hikes that you can do with little ones, in addition to more challenging hikes for the avid hiker.

1. Hurricane Ridge

Probably one of the most visited areas of the park is Hurricane Ridge. There are many hiking trails throughout Hurricane Ridge, a visitors center to learn about this part of the park, campgrounds, and beautiful views.  If you plan to visit Olympic National Park in the winter, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of the sledding and tubing area of Hurricane Ridge (Small Children’s Snowplay) or the tubing park and ski area for the big kids! 

2. Quinault Reservation Area

Next on your hiking agenda should be the Quinault Reservation area. There are some awesome short and easy nature trails perfect for little explorers. These rain forest hikes are beautiful and serene; many of them are about a mile or 2 long so you won’t hear much whining or “are we done yet?”. The Quinault Rainforest area is also  home to the world’s largest spruce tree. It’s 191 feet high and is over 1,000 years old. 

3. Cape Flattery

Another super easy hike at under a mile is the leisurely walk to Cape Flattery, the farthest western point in the continental US. It’s quite a drive to get there, but it’s worth it and like we said, the hike is a shorty. At the cape you can experience the Olympic Coast Marine Sanctuary, Tatoosh Island, observation decks, a boardwalk, and the “edge of the world”. 

4. Hoh Rainforest

Lastly (but certainly not least) is the Hoh Rainforest region of the park. It is one of the wettest places in the US because of how much rain it receives annually – making it a super lush, moss-filled, diverse environment. The temperate nature of the Hoh Rainforest creates a thick canopy that makes you feel like you’re in a movie. And you won’t be the only one! Critters and creatures abound in the forest. There are two popular hikes perfect for little ones: the Hall of Mosses Trail and the Spruce Nature Trail – both under 2 miles. If you’re aiming for a fall trip, you’ll be able to experience the Hoh Rainforest changing colors which is picture perfect. 

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Noteworthy Mentions

There are a few other spots in Olympic National Park we have to mention. We definitely recommend adding one or all of these places to your Olympic National Park itinerary. 

1. Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and Campground

Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort & Campground is an all around winner for the entire family. The Sol Duc valley is located in the northwest region of the park and has lots to do, including hiking, fishing, camping, etc.. But we are big fans of the resort itself. This is a good place to do some serious relaxing after all of your Olympic National Park adventures. You can kick back in the hot springs or pool, get a massage, and enjoy some resort dining. 

2. Forks, Washington

Not too far from Sol Duc is Forks, WA, a great pit stop town along Highway 101. You can find some chain hotels here as well, so if you need a place to stay during your Olympic National Park trip, this is a good option. And guess what? Twilight was filmed here! Millennial Mamas, now’s the time to unpack that Edward Cullen t-shirt and wear it proudly while visiting Forks! 

3. Olympic Game Farm

When you’re heading out of Forks on your way back to Seattle, make sure to stop by the Olympic Game Farm. You’ll get to see all sorts of animals, most native to the Pacific Northwest. Make sure to purchase some bread to feed them!  

4. Feiro Marine Life Center

Whether you pass by Port Angeles on your way into Olympic National Park or your way out, you’ll definitely want to visit the Feiro Marine Life Center. Explore and learn about all sorts of marine life, a lot of which you may see in their natural habitat as you explore Olympic National Forest! Snap a family picture in front of the Fish on the Fence too!

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WOW! What a list of amazing things to do in the Olympic National Park. We hope you are excited about this Pacific Northwest adventure. Keep a look out for a Sasquatch, vampire, and of course, trees!

Are you from the Olympic peninsula area? Have any insider tips for families visiting the Olympic National Forest? Comment below!