When planning a trip, it can be hard to choose between a relaxing beach vacation, a serene mountain escape, or an adventure through the forest. Luckily, Olympic National Park, set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, contains the best of everything: misty coastline, lush temperate rainforests, quiet lakes, and majestic mountains. Seriously, there's something for everyone here! Plus, it's right by Seattle, making it a great day or weekend trip, or you can make the Emerald City your home base for exploring the Olympic Peninsula.
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There are a few waterfalls in the park, but Sol Duc Falls is one of the coolest, it's visible year-round, but is especially magnificent in the spring, as the water thunders through the verdant landscape. From the parking lot at the trailhead, it's less than two miles total out and back, so it's pretty easily accessible, too.
Just off Highway 101 on the southwestern coast of the Olympic Peninsula lies Kalaloch and Ruby Beach. This area is incredibly important ecologically. It’s home to thousands of marine species. The 135-mile long coastline is even protected by not one, not two, but three national wildlife refuges and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Located along Olympic National Park’s 73 miles of coastline, lies Kalaloch, a very popular place for tourists, hikers and campers.
Kalaloch is Quinault for “a good place to land.” The campground is open all year long and has 175 campsites. Some of which are wheelchair-accessible. These campsites fill up fast, so best to book early to reserve a spot. And there’s also Kalaloch Lodge, which is located directly on the beach.
If you happen to visit Kalaloch Campground, there’s a pretty special tree located along the beach. From the campground, there’s a trail and steps that take you 40 feet down towards the beach. Along the beach you’ll come to this tree, which is still growing despite a very large gulch that developed underneath it.
The best tidepooling can be found at Kalaloch Beach Trail 4 and Mora's Hole-in-the-Wall. Since tidepools can only be seen at low tide, check the tide times before you set off, and while you're looking at the tidepools, remember to be gentle with the creatures you find. The National Park Service also suggests bringing a bag to pick up any trash you might find laying on the beach. Oh, and remember to wear sturdy shoes that you won't mind getting a little wet!
The best time to visit Olympic National Park: The three month dry spell between July and September brings in about 60% of the park's visitors, so come earlier in the summer to enjoy a slightly less crowded park, and the temperatures are usually mild, in the 70's. Winter means some snow and chilly temperatures, although some parts of the park are conducive to winter sports and others receive little snow. The spring is when the waterfalls are at their most impressive, but it also means quite a bit of rain, so if you visit early in the year be prepared to get a little wet.