Two Days in Olympic National Park in Washington- Olympic National Park is a huge park in Washington State, so it has lots to be explored. It can be easily accessed from Seattle. I put together a schedule to map out all the best and highlight stops in the Olympic National Park for two days or a short weekend trip! Including where to stay, camp, eat, hike and more in the Olympic National Park.

This itinerary is best for the traveler that doesn’t mind getting up early, moving quickly and some moderate hiking. Finding places to stay can be slim in this area, we used a campervan with Campervan North America so we could easily move around. This itinerary can be done by camping, campervan, or staying in AirBnB’s and check out my post on the Best Places To Stay Near Olympic National Park, or places on booking.com. Having a rental car or personal car would be best to explore this area on this itinerary as well.

Overview:

Quinault Rain Forest
Hoh Rainforest
Ruby Beach
La Push Beach
Lake Crescent
Maymere Falls
Hurricane Ridge
Purple Haze Lavender Fields

How To Get There

Drive from Rainier

Since we spent 10 Days Exploring the Washington National Parks we were coming from Mt. Rainier National Park when arriving in the Olympic National Park Area. From Mt. Rainier’s, Ohanakopesh Campground, where we stayed the night before, it took about 3 hours and 30 minutes to get to our first stop at Quinault Rain Forest. There are not many well known stops along the way, so mostly a straight drive.

Drive from Seattle

If coming from Seattle it will take you 2.5- 3 hours to the first stop at Quinault Rain Forest. You can also start this route backwards going from Seattle to Hurricane Ridge first (which is about a 3 hour drive from Seattle as well). Whichever is better for where you plan to stay.

Where To Stay

Finding places to stay can be slim in this area, we used a campervan with Campervan North America so we could easily move around. Port Angeles would be a great spot to base yourself out of. Or you can find some AirBnB’s (use this link for $55 off your first stay) or places on booking.com to stay. I listed options for each area, camping or hotels under each day below.

If planning to camp we made reservations at local campsites (listed below) ahead of time. I would recommend this because most of the time inside the Olympic National Park you cannot reserve campsites ahead of time. We didn’t want to be stuck without a place to stay so we planned on staying outside of the parks.

**Check out this article on the Cutest Cabins for Rent in Mt. Rainier National Park.***

Booking.com

Day 1:

Rainforest and Beaches

Quinault Rain Forest

This spot we decided to do the small .5 mile loop through the rain forest, parking at the Visitors Center.

If you have more time you can also drive the 31 mile loop around the lake. Most say this takes 2 hours with stops.

Hoh Rainforest

Another 1.5 hour drive we arrived at the Hoh Rainforest. Here we parked and went on the quick path of The Hall of Mosses . This loop is 0.8 miles long. We also added on the Spruce Nature Trail with another 1.2 miles. I am glad we ended up here later in the day as I could see the small walking trails and parking lots becoming very busy and crowded.

Kalalock Beach

Kalalock Beach was a quick stop. We parked and walked down to the beach hoping to catch the low tide pools. This is where you can see the sea creatures attached to the big rocks on the beach and in the sand. We missed it. But this place looked so cute and relaxing for a family trip. Small cabins, fire pits, the beach, I would love to stay at this resort area.

Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach is a well known stop along the coastline. It has the classic Pacific coast lines, sandy beaches, huge rock formations. But I found it a little too crowded to be enjoyable. We enjoyed La Push the next day even more. It could of been the time of day we went as well.

Stay at: Riverview RV Park, shower and laundry available

Other non-camping options:

Booking.com

Day 2:

Lake and Mountains

La Push Beach

Ruby Beach is a well known stop along the coastline. It has the classic

Just down the street from our campsite we checked out La Push Beach (second beach trail). We arrived early and it seemed to be hard to find a parking spot at first, we later realized a lot of people arrive here late at night, set up a tent, make a fire and spend the night. Many people were packing up their tent and leaving at we went in. The hike down to the beach from the lot is about 0.7 miles one way.

Here we got lucky and got to see the low tide. This was my favorite part about the beach, so if you can try to go at low tide, checking the tide schedule before you go.

Another option here would be in visit Rialto Beach.

Lake Crescent/ Maymere Falls

We actually stopped at Rialto Beach in the town of La Push. We didn’t stay here long. I believe we should have went to the this entrance. Instead we were more in town. It was foggy and we moved on quickly.

After our stop at Crescent Lake was the town of Port Angeles, about a 45 minute drive. We grabbed lunch at Barhop Brewing and Pizza. After lunch we picked up some groceries for dinner at the campground.

Hurricane Ridge

It is hard to find short trails along Hurricane Ridge. So we went with the Hurricane Hill Trail. The trail walks you along a ridge, you can see many mountain ridges miles out. And eventually ends you at a 360 view of of the mountains and water views.

Stay at: Elwha Dam RV Park if needing a reservation. We ended up being able to stay at Heart O’ the Hills Campground inside Hurricane Ridge, canceling our reservation before.

Other non-camping options:

Booking.com

Return

To Seattle Next Morning

The next morning head to your next destination or back to Seattle. You could easily go to Mt. Rainier National Park from here. We headed back to Seattle to spend 24 Hours in Seattle before flying back home.

Additional stop and Purple Haze Lavender

I knew we might have some time to kill on the way back from our 2 days in Olympic. So I was on the hunt to find some unique places to stop along our drive to Seattle. Purple Haze lavender fields was the cutest little farm along our drive. It hardly took extra time as it wasn’t far off the highway.

Here they serve everything Lavender! Lavender ice cream is a must! We got ice cream, so delicious! I loved smelling the fresh scents here and watching the bees pollinate from plant to plant! Support this local business and buy something here if you stop by!