By David Hanson
Olympic In-Depth
Travel information for Olympic National Park
 
Get there
Fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) for the cheapest option, take I-5 South to Tacoma, and cut across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to the peninsula. Or fly into Port Angeles (affordable flights regularly depart from Seattle), and rent a car.

Daily discoveries

Olympic man
photography: David Hanson
Day 1: Drive to Hurricane Ridge from Port Angeles. Hike up Hurricane Hill Trail (1.5 miles) or save your legs and just enjoy the view. Take a 25-minute afternoon drive from Port Angeles to Lake Crescent Lodge. Hike through old-growth forest to 90-foot-high Marymere Falls (1 mile). Mix a sunset cocktail beside the lake.

Day 2: Drive two hours from Port Angeles to World Biosphere Reserve site, the Hoh Rain Forest. Hike the Hall of Mosses (0.75 mile) then go as far as you want up the trail to Glacier Meadows (17.5 miles one way), or drive 40 minutes to Sol Duc Hot Springs. There hike Lover’s Lane Trail (loop to Sol Duc Falls is 6 miles), and end with a soak in the Sol Duc Resort’s spring-fed pools. In the late afternoon, paddle or swim at Lake Crescent.

Day 3: Drive one hour to La Push Beach, the easiest access point to the longest stretch of wilderness coastline in the lower 48. Hike into Second (0.8 mile) or Third Beach (1.4 miles) via the access trails. Drive down Highway 101 for a final night’s stay at Kalaloch Lodge.

Web Resources

nps.gov/acad/
Acadia Map
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