Rainforest, glaciated peaks and driftwood coastline inside a single park boundary.
Reservations · Moderate
Manage Entry and Wilderness Stays via Official Park Windows
Entry to popular corridors like the Hoh Rain Forest and Hurricane Ridge does not require a reservation, but visitor volume often leads to significant queues at entrance stations. Overnight stays at park lodges or campgrounds are a separate process, frequently requiring bookings months in advance during the peak summer season. Changing access systems for high-traffic areas are managed by the National Park Service; check the official site for current vehicle management policies and wilderness permit release dates.
Check official reservation infoFly in · nearest airport
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport · 3 h 2 min drive
Partner link · Aviasales
Checks availability with the partner directly — not a confirmed booking on our end.
RV Park
Best for: RV travelers
Membership for overnight RV stays at farms, wineries and other unique spots along your route.
Campground
Best for: Tent camping
Private campgrounds, cabins and glamping just outside the park, often with availability when park sites sell out.
RV Park
Best for: RV travelers
Book RV parks and campgrounds online with full hookups near the park.
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Class C Motorhome — Sleeps 4
From $245 / day
Sprinter Adventure Van
From $189 / day
Car rental · Car rentals at SEA
Est. from $45/day · estimate
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A little structure. Plenty of freedom.
Suggested: 8 AM from Port Angeles
Hurricane Ridge
Drive the winding mountain road for alpine meadows and views of the Olympic peaks, checking the visitor center for current trail snow levels.
Lake Crescent
Visit this deep, glacially carved lake for shoreline walks and the forested path toward the tiered Marymere Falls.
Allow 2 to 3 hours total driving; mountain road conditions vary significantly by weather.
Mountain visibility can change rapidly; have a lowland forest plan ready as a backup.
Suggested: 7:30 AM from Forks
Hoh Rain Forest
Walk the Hall of Mosses to see massive Sitka spruces and Western hemlocks draped in club moss and licorice ferns.
Hoh River Trail
Follow the flat river valley path to observe the scale of this temperate ecosystem and look for Roosevelt elk near the gravel bars.
Allow 2 hours for the round trip from Forks; entrance station delays may occur.
Arrive early at the Hoh entrance to minimize time spent in vehicle queues during peak summer months.
Suggested: 9 AM from Forks
Rialto Beach
Witness the power of the Pacific among giant driftwood logs and sea stacks, keeping a safe distance from the surf.
Ruby Beach
Explore the tide pools and iconic rock formations where Cedar Creek meets the ocean at the park's western edge.
Allow 1.5 to 2 hours of transit; coastal roads are subject to seasonal fog.
Check official tide tables before walking toward Hole-in-the-Wall; stay off driftwood when waves are high.
Pick up your vehicle at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and allow for a 3-hour journey to Port Angeles, accounting for potential ferry wait times or Tacoma traffic. Stop in Port Angeles to stock up on groceries and visit the Wilderness Information Center before checking into your base.
Standard passenger cars are suitable for paved park roads, but check rental agreements for restrictions on unpaved forest service roads. RVs should verify length limits for the winding Hurricane Ridge Road and Hoh entrance.
Hurricane Ridge offers expansive vistas for sunset, though mountain cloud cover is seasonal and unpredictable.
From Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
3 h 2 min
about 127 miles by car · times vary with traffic and road closures
Airport-to-destination drive; sightseeing stops are separate markers.
Stays near the end of your drive
Parking lots at the Hoh Rain Forest and Hurricane Ridge frequently reach capacity by mid-morning in July and August. Staff may meter vehicle entry at the park boundary until spaces become available.
Cellular reception is extremely limited or non-existent in the Hoh valley and along remote coastal stretches. Download offline maps and official park documents before leaving Port Angeles or Forks.
Full service stations are concentrated in Port Angeles and Forks, with limited options as you move south toward Kalaloch. Ensure your tank is sufficient for the long, winding spur roads into the park interior.
Summer offers the most reliable access to high-elevation trails, though snow often persists on the ridges into late June. Spring and fall are ideal for rainforest walks when the moss is most vibrant and waterfalls are full.
Beach access can be restricted by high tides or storm-driven swells that move heavy logs unpredictably. Consult the official park site for trail damage reports after winter storms.
2 hrs
It looks fake in photos and better in person.
Half day
One road delivers the entire alpine half of the park.
Half day
Time the tide right and you walk through the rock.
