47° 51' 38.5" N 123° 56' 06.7" W

Route Type: Roadtrip

Distance: Varies

Trailhead: Multiple

Permits Required: No

Recommended Duration: 2 days/1 night

Post-Hike Beer: Elysian Contact Haze

Logistics:

This roadtrip itinerary follows a clockwise circuit starting and ending in Seattle, WA. Start by exploring downtown Seattle (time-permitting) and then head to Olympia, WA (~1 hour drive) to spend the night. Wake up before the sun the next day and wind your way through rain forest roads until you reach the Hoh Rain forest Visitor Center where you will park and pay the entrance fee ($30). If you are planning on visiting multiple National Parks over the course of 1 year it is highly recommended to buy the America the Beautiful Pass ($80) which gives you unlimited entrance to all National Parks for 1 year from the date of purchase.

The Hikes:

An Introduction to the Rain Forest at the Hoh River Trail

The main draw of Olympic NP is naturally its lush green rain forests. The main reason of visiting in the off-season with its notoriously rainy winter weather, aside from the limited crowds, is to see the rain forest in its natural, soggy, and brilliantly green state. Start your day with an easy walk through the Hall of Mosses (~1 mile) and then continue on an out-and-back hike along the Hoh River Trail for as long as you like. Along this trail you’ll find giant ferns glistening from the mist, moss covered spruce and hemlock and more types of mushrooms than you can count.

• WARNING: The Upper Hoh Road may be closed in winter due to inclement weather (snow, road washout, etc.). Always check the current road status at the NPS website before committing to a hike. An alternative rain forest hike can be found near Rialto Beach (the 2nd stop on the itinerary) at the James Pond Trail (0.5 mile loop) and the Slough Trail (0.5 mil out-and-back).

Watch the misty ‘seastacks’ at Rialto Beach

From the Hoh Rain Forest, follow US-101 N to La Push Road. Continue down La Push Road, turn right onto Mora Road and continue to the terminus at the Rialto Beach parking area. Weave between and over giant drift logs to reach the gravely beach and watch powerful winter waves crash upon the shore. In the distance, James Island and other ‘sea stacks’ stand shrouded in mist as a testament to the power of the Pacific (These outcroppings were once a part of the coast). Hike northbound along the Pacific NW trail towards the “Hole in the Wall”, a natural sea-carved arch approximately 1.5 miles away.

Comb the beach during low tide at Second Beach

Head back along Mora Road to the junction with La Push Road and follow the signs for Second Beach until you reach the parking area. Follow the trail past the Native American fish hatchery and continue down through the forest until you reach the beach and clamber over giant drift logs to reach the water’s edge (~1.5 miles). Visit during low tide to get up close and personal with some of the towering sea stacks and get a true sense of the Pacific NW coast. Once you have had your fill of hiking for the day, find respite from the weather at a motel in Forks, WA. Rest up for another early start tomorrow.

Watch the waves crash in solitude at Cape Flattery

Head to the north-westernmost point of the lower 48 states at Cape Flattery for an easy 1.5 mile RT hike. Start down an easy graveled trail through the forest before reaching the boardwalks that traverse the boggy sections, saving your boots from the worst of the wetness. Be sure to visit all three of the viewing platforms to watch the winter waves beat against the jagged coastline and take in the ferocity of the ocean that carved these majestic Pacific NW coastlines.

Hike through the Rain Forest to epic views of Marymere Falls

From the Cape Flattery parking area, head back the direction from which you came before taking a left onto US-101. After 20 miles you will begin your descent into the valley as Lake Crescent emerges from the fog blanketed spruces. As you wind your way along the banks, soak in some of the most spectacular roadside views in the park while making your way to the Storm King Ranger Station. An easy 1.7 mile RT hike will take you through more old-growth forest before reaching the cascading Marymere falls. Take in both the upper and lower viewpoints to get a different perspective of the falls. If you’re feeling spry, take the detour to Mt. Storm King on the way back to the parking area for a strenuous 3 mile RT hike to the summit, where you’ll be treated to epic view across Lake Crescent (provided the area isn’t blanketed in fog).

Good to Know:

Taking the Ferry

This roadtrip itinerary requires taking the ferry from Kingston, WA across the Puget Sound to reach Seattle. The ferry schedule can be found on the Washington DOT website and costs $16.00 for a standard passenger car. Alternatively, you can drive a little further to the Bainbridge Island terminal and be dropped off directly in downtown Seattle.

Food in Olympic NP

There are limited dining options in the Olympic NP region, especially during the winter off-season. Be sure to check restaurant hours and plan accordingly.