From rivers and rainforests to mountains and meadows, Olympic National Forest is the single most diverse National Park that we've visited. The main areas are Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc Springs, the Hoh Rainforest, and the coast. Traveling from one area to another can easily be completed in a day but the transition from one ecosystem to another is something you won't be able to experience anywhere else on earth. The beautiful mountain views of Hurricane Ridge are only two and a half hours from the Hoh rainforest, and 3 hours from the sea stacks and tide pools of Washington's coast.
Hurricane ridge is the first area or the park you will encounter coming from Seattle and encompasses an 18 mile drive to the top of the ridge. There is always the chance that your visit to Hurricane Ridge will be surrounded in fog but if you end up atop the ridge when it's clear you will have breathtaking views of the entire peninsula.
Crescent Lake Lodge is the first area that offers lodging in cabins along the lakeshore, where you will also be able to rent canoes, kayaks or grab a beer at the bar. From the lodge you can access the area's hiking trails, Marymere Falls a shorter less difficult hike to a beautiful waterfall begins at Lake Crescent, or for the more adventurous hiker there is the Mount Stormking trail. This is a 4 mile out and back hike with over 2000 feet of elevation gain, it finishes with a steep rope assisted section that brings you to the peak overlooking Crescent Lake.
Next you'll approach the Sol Duc Hot Springs, a resort was established here as well as an RV park and campground, the resort is positioned at the hot springs and there are pools which you can pay a daily fee to soak in while relaxing in the forest. The Sol Duc River runs along the road to the resort and there are plenty of pull offs where you can watch the coho salmon running up the waterfalls to their spawning grounds.
After passing through Forks you continue on to the Hoh Rainforest visitors center, Upper Hoh Rd. runs along the river for 11 mile until it finally reaches the visitors center where you can access the Hall of Mosses, Spruce Nature Trail or the back country Hoh River trail which is a 32 mile out and back trail through the rainforest to the Glacier Meadows Ranger Station.
The final of the Olympic Peninsula experience is the coast. Ruby Beach is a short easy hike down to the driftwood laden beaches, sea stacks and tidepools. Campfires are allowed on the beach so bring a picnic and cook over an open flame while the sun is setting, or purchase a backcountry permit and you can camp right on the beaches to the south, just make sure to pitch your tent above the high tide line.
