2 Days in Olympic National Park: A Guide for First-Timers
Looking to visit Washington’s Olympic National Park? Here’s our perfect 2 days in Olympic National Park itinerary, the ideal guide for a weekend in the park.
Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula is wild, green, and untouched. With pristine pine forests and groves of trees covered in drooping yellow-green moss, it’s a place waiting to be explored.
Located under a couple of hours’ drive from Seattle, it’s the perfect excuse to get out of the city and back into nature. 2 Days in Olympic National Park is all you need to see the highlights but I’m not promising you won’t want to stay longer.
Most of the Olympic Peninsula is home to the Olympic National Park and the Olympic National Forest, both have so many things to do during all seasons.
If you love the outdoors this is one of the US’ finest destinations you simply have to add to your bucket list. From virgin, native forests to cascading waterfalls and glassy lakes to monochrome beaches the Olympic Peninsula is full of surprises.
If you’re headed to the Pacific Northwest then keep reading to plan that perfect, short trip out to Olympic National Park.
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Best Time to Visit Olympic National Park
The best time to visit Olympic National Park really depends on what you want to do.
Summers are generally the best time to visit weather-wise. You’ll have warmer temperatures, fewer chances of rain and more opportunities to catch some splendid sunsets. The days are longer too which helps a lot. The downfall of summer is that everyone else visits at this time so trails are crowded and so are beaches and viewpoints.
Another great time to visit is during late spring and early fall. Expect more rain and cloudier days but trails will be open and there’ll be far fewer people during this time too.
Winter is a great time to visit if you’re looking for snowy landscapes and frost-bitten pine forests. There aren’t too many opportunities for skiing in these parts and many roads can be closed at the last minute due to unpredictable snowfall so it’s best to keep your itinerary flexible when visiting during the winter.
I visited in late fall and it was grey, cold, and rainy but extremely atmospheric too.
Getting There
From Seattle
Most people get to Olympic National Park from Seattle. The trip takes about 1.5hrs to get to the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula. From your location in Seattle, you’ll need to get to the Bainbridge Island ferry dock on Alaskan Way. Then take the ferry over Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island. You can check ferry schedules here.
Spend some time strolling through the main town on Bainbridge island before heading up to the Olympic Peninsula.
If you don’t want to take the ferry then you can also drive down to Tacoma and loop around Puget Sound before continuing north to Gig Harbor and Purdy. I don’t recommend doing this however because the loop is big so it will add a lot of time and miles to your tip.
Plus, the Washington ferry to Bainbridge Island is one of the best things to do in Seattle so it’s not something you want to miss. Expect to see one of the best views of Seattle from the water.
From Oregon
From Oregon, there are two ways to get to Olympic National Park and which one you’ll take depends on if you’d like to begin exploring in the eastern or the western side of the peninsula.
For Sequim, Port Angeles and the Eastern part of the Olympic Peninsula, take the Interstate 5 north, through Washington to Olympia, turning onto the 101 heading north.
To access the Western part of the Olympic Peninsula you can also head to Olympia on the I-5, then turn on to Highway 8 west where you’ll join onto the 101 on the western part of the Olympic Peninsula.
If you prefer you can also take the slower, yet more scenic route from Oregon following the coast. Simply head to Oregon’s coast and follow the 101 north until you get to the Olympic Peninsula.
You can also get to Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula directly via ferry from Victoria, British Columbia and there’s also a ferry service from Whidbey Island to Port Townsend if you’re coming south from the San Juan Islands.
Getting Around
To get around Olympic National Park you really need a car. Buses are few and far between and the area the national park covers is vast. To be able to access all the points of interest with just 2 days in Olympic National Park and to get in from Seattle you really need a car.
There are many places to rent a car in downtown Seattle and at Sea-Tac airport.
For the best deals in the US, I generally use Auto Europe or Rental Cars. They tend to have the best deals even in the summer months. Check rates for Auto Europe here. Check rates for Rental Cars here.
Where to Stay on the Olympic Peninsula
There are quite a few hotels, campgrounds, and unique vacation rentals to check out when heading to the Olympic Peninsula.
Hotels and Resorts
With a few exceptions, most hotels and resorts are located in Port Angeles and Sequim.
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort– One of the best places to stay in the park Sol Duc is a lovely resort where you can rent a cabin or suite for the night right by the Sol Duc River. They also have a campground if you want to camp instead.
Staying here means that you’re able to make the most of the Sol Duc Hot Springs as soon as you wake up or have a soak under a star-filled sky in the evening. Unfortunately, the resort is closed during winter.
Click here to find out more and book.
Olympic Lodge by Ayres – The best place to stay in Port Angeles, the Olympic Lodge feels like a real mountain chalet with a wood-burning fire, beautiful decor and a cosy atmosphere. Rooms are spacious and with sea and mountain views and facilities include a gym, pool and hot tub.
Find out more and book here booking.com
Vacation Rentals
A-Frame of Mind– A deluxe A-frame cabin surrounded by nature with an outdoor patio and hot tub. This two-bedroom rental is perfect for families or small groups. Book it here.
Eagle Ridge Chalet – Ultimate ski-chalet vibes in this well-decorated wooden cabin located between Port Angeles and Lake Crescent. Can fit up to 6 people. Book it here
Lake Sutherland – A stunning cabin located right on the water at Sutherland for a couple. It has some gorgeous lake views, a wood-burning stove to keep warm in winter and a one-bedroom that’s perfect for a couple. Book it here
Cottage Cove– A beautiful 6-person cottage on Lake Quinault, perfect for relaxing in and admiring lake views, especially in the summer. This is the kind of place you won’t want to leave after just one night. Book it here.
Campgrounds
Campgrounds are located throughout Olympic National Park. Facilities vary but they all have bathroom and toilet facilities and a varity of different places to pitch a tent.
If you’re following this 2 days in Olympic National Park itinerary the campgrounds you’ll want to consider check out are:
- Heart O’ The Hills Capground (near Port Angeles)
- Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Campground
- Fairholme Campground ( near Lake Crescent)
- Klahowya Campground
- Hoh Rainforest Campground
- Second Beach (permit required)
- Kalaloch
- South Beach Campground
Most campgrounds can be booked ahead of time at the recreation.gov website. If you plan on camping in the fall, winter or early spring make sure to plan your trip in advance as most campgrounds are closed at this time. I’d also personally advise against camping at this time because it’s seriously cold and wet.
2 Days in Olympic National Park Itinerary
Olympic National Park is big, really big and is located towards the northern central part of the Olympic Peninsula, around the National Park, in pockets in the West, East and the South you’ll find the Olympic National Forest.
It’s a beautiful area with miles upon miles of pine forest, dark moody coastline and beaches as well as the towering, snow-capped Mt Olympus. Olympic National Park is also home to the Hoh Rainforest, one of the last remaining temperate rainforests in North America.
With just 2 days in Olympic National Park, you’ll be able to see some of the park’s highlights and main viewpoints but you probably won’t have time for too many treks.
If you prefer to prioritize trekking over seeing the main highlights then I’d recommend choosing a couple of your favorite hikes and maybe a couple of the main sights to visit once you’ve finished hiking.
Note that if you’re visiting during the fall, early spring or winter daylight hours will be significantly reduced and you probably won’t have time to visit all the places suggested before the sun goes down so you might need to prioritize.
I highly recommend starting the day as soon as possible and being at your first stop of the day for sunrise.
DAY ONE
Bainbridge Island
If you’re coming over from Seattle on the classic Washington Ferries then don’t miss the opportunity to explore the lovely quaint town on Bainbridge island before moving into the Olympic Peninsula.
Bainbridge’s main town is immediately there as you get off the ferry and the main thoroughfare is lined with delightful bakeries, cool cafes, and boutiques that certainly deserve a glimpse.
If you are coming from Seattle in the early morning then Bainbridge Island is also a great place to have some breakfast before continuing.
You might want to try the friendly and hip Cafe Hitchcock for good coffee and breakfast sandwiches or the Blackbird Bakery for pastries, cakes and oatmeal.
For a more hearty breakfast try the legendary Streamliner Diner, a longtime popular local spot. If you’re passing through at lunchtime definitely stop by Emmy’s Vege House for the best vegetarian fare on the island.
There’s also the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum and the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art if you have more time and want to check out some local culture.
Port Townsend
While these first two stops aren’t exactly in Olympic National Park, they certainly are worth a few extra hours of your time. From Bainbridge Island drive north to Port Townsend, a lovely artistic hot spot with amazing views of Puget Sound, especially on a clear day.
There isn’t too much to do here apart from walking along the main street and checking out the lovely array of boutiques, stores and cafes. Grab a coffee at Better Living Through Coffee and take a seat outside to enjoy views of the Sound.
