If you are like us and want to escape the rush of busy Canadian long weekends in the outdoors then you should seriously consider taking a quick trip over the border to Washington. As we have posted about many times, it is an oasis of national parks and natural beauty, with fewer crowds compared to some of the Canadian mountains.
Included in that oasis is Olympic National Park. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out our post here from 2017. We revisited the park again this year and got a chance to see all the things we missed the first time. We have put together a weekend guide for our recommended hikes and camping spots for your next adventure.
As mentioned in our previous post, we highly recommend taking a ferry to cut down on driving time. It’s not only faster, but a more scenic trip too. Take exit 230 off of I-5 S and enjoy the beautiful countryside and ocean views of Island County (more commonly known as Whidbey Island). The ferry terminal is located just south of Coupeville. If you have some time to kill before the ferry like we did, check out Fort Casey (just a short walk from the terminal so you can leave your car in line and go).
After the ferry, it is a short drive to Port Angeles, “The Center of it All on the Olympic Peninsula”, and the northern gateway to the park.
Olympic Lodge
Since the majority of our camping trips start after work on Fridays and the campgrounds we typically choose are walk-in only, we always plan to spend the first night at a hotel nearby. This gives us a more relaxing first night, and this way we are able to get up early the next morning to get to the campground which gives us a higher chance of securing a spot (no matter the day, someone usually leaves).
In Port Angeles, our favorite hotel is by far the Olympic Lodge. It has been recently renovated, it is extremely clean, and it is nestled among trees overlooking a golf course. We love it!
If you do decide to stay in Port Angeles, make sure to check out the historic downtown which has a few great restaurants and coffee shops. We had breakfast at First Street Haven and got donuts from Num Num Donuts during our visit.
Deer Park Campground
We chose to stay at Deer Park Campground this year since last time the road was closed due to snow so we missed it. To get here, take the Deer Park Rd turnoff from the 101 and drive until the end of the road. After about 14 km the road will turn into a winding, narrow but well-maintained gravel service road that will take you up past 1600 m above sea level where you will reach the aptly named Deer Park Campground. Don’t be surprised to see deer all over the place here.
This campground is fairly basic in terms of amenities. There are 12 sites, each equipped with a fire pit, grate and picnic table as well as two fairly clean vault toilets. There is no garbage collection service or running water, so make sure to bring enough supplies and be prepared to pack everything out with you. While this may not sound luxurious, the quiet, remote location and views more than make up for any lack of modern niceties. There is a mountain in almost every direction you look and it is also the perfect spot for avid stargazers and nighttime photographers.
Maiden Peak from Deer Park Campground - Moderate
Distance 11 km, round trip Elevation gain 516 m
When we did this hike we could barely see anything due to fog, but the trail itself is super nice, not too challenging and on a clear day you’d have 360 degree views of the mountains. We still enjoyed the wildflowers and wildlife we saw on the trail, and the fog sometimes cleared a bit to give some us some moody shots.
Blue Mountain - Easy
Distance 0.6 km, round trip Elevation gain 40 m
This is more of a viewpoint than a hike. Located just above Deer Park Campground, this lookout has some incredible views for little effort. Worth checking out!
Rialto Beach - Easy
Distance 6.1 km, round trip Elevation gain —
When we were last in the park, access to Rialto Beach was closed so we weren’t able to see it. This time we went and walked along the beach to the Hole-in-the-Wall. An easy beach walk, and depending on the tide you can either go through the hole or climb over it. We recommend the climb even at low tide to get a great view in either direction.
After the beach, we recommend going to the Breakwater Restaurant in Sekiu on the way back to Deer Park for a meal right on the water.
Mount Storm King - Difficult
Distance 5.8 km, round trip Elevation gain 630 m
This was by far our favorite hike in Olympic National Park, and possibly our favorite ever! It is not a long hike, but is rated difficult due to its consistently steep incline and the ropes section at the end where the loose rock makes it easy to slip. If you’re afraid of heights, the top of the hike is a little sketchy. But if you take your time, it’s not too scary and the views at the top are unparalleled. We went up for sunset and it was so worth it. Just make sure you have headlamps for the way down and try to get past the ropes section before it gets dark.
So there you have it, our recommendation for a weekend in Olympic National Park. There is so much to see and do, but we hope this helps you plan your own trip. A couple more tips…If you pass back through Port Angeles on the way out, don’t miss Washington Lavender Farm, a picturesque inn and lavender farm on the water in Sequim.
Lastly, stop for lunch in Port Townsend or Coupeville — both have a cute historic downtown and waterfront. Let us know if you have any other suggestions in the comments below!
Happy adventuring,
Slade
