The Olympic Peninsula is one of the most ecologically diverse places on Earth — within a single 370-mile loop drive from Seattle you pass through temperate rainforest, sub-alpine meadows, glacier-carved mountain peaks, and wild Pacific coastline. Olympic National Park protects all of it, making this one of the most rewarding and accessible road trips in the Pacific Northwest. No other park in America packs this much landscape variety into one loop.
Best seasons: Late June through September for the mountains and rain forest. The coast is stunning year-round, but expect rain at any time — the Hoh Rain Forest receives 140–170 inches of rain per year. Always bring rain gear.
Click "more options" on the Google Maps embed above to open the full Olympic Peninsula loop driving route.
Day 1 — Seattle to Port Angeles & Hurricane Ridge
Drive northwest from Seattle and take the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston (30 min crossing) or the Hood Canal Bridge, then head west along Hwy 101 to Port Angeles — about 2.5 hours total. Port Angeles is the main gateway to the park and has good lodging, gear shops, and restaurants.
From Port Angeles, drive 17 miles up to Hurricane Ridge at 5,242 ft — the most accessible alpine area in the park. On a clear day, the views of the Olympic Mountain range and the Strait of Juan de Fuca are extraordinary. Hike Hurricane Hill Trail (3.2 miles RT, 700 ft gain) for panoramic views in every direction, or walk the paved ridge path for an easier stroll among wildflowers and deer.
- Drive time from Seattle: ~2.5 hours (via ferry) or ~3.5 hours (via Hood Canal Bridge)
- Hurricane Ridge: Open daily late June–September; weekends only in winter (snow)
- Park entry: $35/vehicle (America the Beautiful Pass accepted)
- Stay: Port Angeles — Olympic Lodge, Airbnb, or Port Angeles Inn
Day 2 — Hoh Rain Forest & Ruby Beach
Drive south from Port Angeles on Hwy 101 to the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center (~1.5 hours). The Hoh is one of only a handful of temperate rainforests in the world — massive Sitka spruce and western hemlock draped in thick curtains of club moss, everything impossibly green and quiet. The Hall of Mosses Trail (0.8-mile loop) is one of the most magical walks in the Pacific Northwest and accessible to all fitness levels. Continue on the Hoh River Trail as far as you want — it follows the river into the mountains for 17 miles and feels wilder with every mile.
In the afternoon, drive 40 minutes west to Ruby Beach for sunset. Massive sea stacks rise from the surf, driftwood logs line the shore, and the light on the Pacific Coast in the evening is unlike anywhere else. Walk south along the beach as far as you like.
- Hall of Mosses: 0.8 miles, flat, paved — perfect for all ages
- Hoh River Trail: Go as far as you like from the visitor center; first 5 miles are easy
- Ruby Beach: Short 0.2-mile path from the parking area to the beach
- Stay: Forks (budget options) or Kalaloch Lodge (on a bluff above the ocean — book 6+ months ahead)
Day 3 — Lake Quinault & Return to Seattle
Head south on Hwy 101 to Lake Quinault — the only lake in Olympic National Park accessible by paved road, surrounded by the Quinault Rain Forest. The Quinault Loop Trail (4 miles) passes the world's largest Sitka spruce tree (191 ft tall, 58 ft circumference) and winds through ancient forest along the lake shore. The historic Lake Quinault Lodge (1926) is worth stopping in for breakfast or coffee.
From Quinault, drive east on Hwy 101 and north on I-5 back to Seattle — about 3 hours. The loop is complete.
- Quinault Loop Trail: 4 miles, easy, old-growth forest
- World's largest Sitka spruce: just off the North Shore Road, 0.2-mile walk
- Drive back to Seattle: ~3 hours via Aberdeen and I-5
Logistics & Tips
- Northwest Forest Pass — not needed inside Olympic NP, but required at some trailheads near the park boundary
- Rain gear is mandatory — the Hoh averages 140 in of rain/year; even in summer, afternoon showers are common
- Cell service is nonexistent in most of the park; download offline maps before you go
- Kalaloch Lodge — the best overnight on the coast; books up 6+ months in advance for summer
- Ferry vs. Bridge: The Edmonds–Kingston ferry saves 30 min over driving around via Tacoma and adds a scenic Puget Sound crossing
- Wildlife: Roosevelt elk are common in the Hoh and Quinault valleys, especially at dawn and dusk
