Olympic National Park, WA Travel Guide
Olympic National Park, WA Travel Guide
Plan Your Trip
If you're looking for things to do in Olympic National Park that go beyond a quick photo stop, the Hurricane Ridge and Sol Duc corridors pack alpine views, old-growth rainforest, and a genuine hot springs soak into a single drive.
This route runs from the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles up to Hurricane Ridge, along Lake Crescent, and deep into the Sol Duc Valley, connecting several of the park's most-searched highlights into one continuous route.
Top Things to Do
1. Take the Olympic National Park Driving Tour—a self-guided GPS audio tour covering Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, and the Sol Duc Valley.
2. Hike to Hurricane Hill—a 360-degree view of the Olympic Mountains, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Vancouver Island, reachable via an optional detour off Hurricane Ridge Road.
3. See the Rayonier Steam Locomotive—a retired logging locomotive on display in downtown Port Angeles.
4. Visit Madison Falls—a short paved path to a sixty-foot waterfall, as far as you can currently drive on Olympic Hot Springs Road.
5. Explore Lake Crescent and Marymere Falls—one of the clearest lakes in America, with an easy waterfall loop or a steep climb up Storm King.
6. Watch salmon leap at Salmon Cascades—best from late August through October.
7. Walk through Ancient Groves—a short loop trail through protected old-growth forest.
8. Soak in Sol Duc Hot Springs—mineral pools at the end of the Sol Duc Valley Road.
Download the Complete Travel Guide
Includes:
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✓ Complete travel guide
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✓ Printable map
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✓ One-day itinerary
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✓ Hidden gems
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✓ Travel tips
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✓ Offline access
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✓ Bonus recommendations not included on this page
Our Self Guided Tour
The Olympic National Park Driving Tour is a GPS-triggered audio tour covering the Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent-Sol Duc corridors. Start whenever you want, pause at any stop, and take as long as you like. Most drivers finish in about two and a half hours without stopping, or plan for most of a day with stops.
Free Things to Do
1. Rayonier Steam Locomotive—a free roadside monument in downtown Port Angeles.
2. Madison Falls—a free short paved trail (standard park entrance fee applies to enter the park).
3. Lake Crescent viewpoints—free pull-offs along the shoreline.
4. Salmon Cascades viewing platform—free, seasonal salmon runs from late summer through fall.
5. Ancient Groves Nature Trail—a free, short loop through old-growth forest.
THINGS WITH ADMISSION FEES:
1. Olympic National Park entrance pass—required for park access, covers all park roads and trailheads.
2. Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort pools—$15 adult day pass, $11 for kids 4-11, seniors, military, and disabled visitors; discounted twilight rate available.
3. Lake Crescent Lodge or Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort dining and lodging—market rates, reservations recommended.
Food!
Kokopelli Grill (Port Angeles)
A well-reviewed farm-to-table spot near the start of the tour, known for fresh seafood and hearty entrees.
Lake Crescent Lodge Dining Room
Pacific Northwest cuisine with lake views, right along the route at Lake Crescent.
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Restaurant
Onsite dining at the end of the tour, convenient for a meal before or after soaking in the springs.
Where to Stay
In Port Angeles
Standard hotel chains cluster near the start of the tour, a good base if you want a full day for the drive without an overnight further in. Roughly $120-$220/night.
At Lake Crescent
Lake Crescent Lodge (historic rooms from around $171/night, plus cabins and motel units) and Log Cabin Resort (rustic cabins and rooms from roughly $94-$161/night) both sit right on the route. Both book quickly in summer—reserve well ahead.
At Sol Duc
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort offers cabins from roughly $235-$353/night, open March 20 through November 1, with free mineral pool access included for guests.
1 Day Itinerary
1-DAY ITINERARY:
Morning: Take the Olympic National Park Driving Tour, starting at the Visitor Center in Port Angeles, with the optional Dig Deeper detour to Hurricane Hill.
Afternoon: Continue west along Lake Crescent, stopping at Marymere Falls or Storm King Trailhead, then Salmon Cascades.
Evening: Finish at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort—soak in the mineral pools, then dinner onsite before heading back.
2-DAY ITINERARY:
Add a second day to hike further into the Sol Duc Valley toward Sol Duc Falls, explore more of Lake Crescent by kayak or on foot, or extend west toward the Pacific coast and the Hoh Rainforest.
FAQ's
1. How long does the Olympic National Park driving tour take?
Without stopping, the route takes about two and a half hours. With stops, plan for most of a day.
2. Do I need a park entrance pass?
Yes. A standard Olympic National Park entrance pass is required for the drive; Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort charges separate pool admission.
3. Is Olympic Hot Springs Road open all the way through?
No. A washout closed the road to vehicles beyond Madison Falls; that waterfall is as far as you can currently drive.
4. What's the best time to see salmon at Salmon Cascades?
Late August through October, with peak jumping typically in September and October.
5. Do I need reservations for Sol Duc Hot Springs?
Day-pass pool admission is generally available without reservations, but if you want to stay overnight at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, Lake Crescent Lodge, or Log Cabin Resort, book well ahead—all three sell out quickly in summer.
6. Is there cell service along the route?
Service is spotty in several stretches, especially in the Sol Duc Valley. Download the driving tour before you go so it works offline.
7. What should I bring?
A swimsuit if you plan to soak at Sol Duc, sun protection and water for Hurricane Hill (no shade at the summit), and tire chains if you're driving Hurricane Ridge Road in winter.
8. Is Hurricane Ridge Road open year-round?
Yes, though winter travel requires tire chains past the Heart O' the Hills entrance station, and there's a 5pm exit rule during winter months.
9. Is this tour appropriate for kids?
Yes, though one story covers a 1937 disappearance and murder in factual, non-graphic detail.
10. Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles and ends at the Sol Duc Trailhead, with Sol Duc Falls and Lover's Lane visible from the final stop.
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