Things to do in the Olympic Peninsula
There truly is no place like the Olympic Peninsula. Located in the most farthest corner of the Pacific Northwest, it is lined with the most pristine coastline in the entire United States. It also holds the Olympic National Park which is any hiker or backpackers dream. After taking a solo trip to the Olympic Peninsula during during the winter, it easily became one my favorite spots on the west coast. The Olympic Peninsula offers so much to anyone who visits it. Here is a complete list of things to do in the Olympic Peninsula.
Go for a Hike
The Olympic Peninsula offers some of the most gorgeous mountain ranges and coastlines of the west coast of the United States. It goes without saying that there are an abundance of hikes to trek in this area. Whether you’re an avid or casual hiker, there is a wide range of trails offering low mileage, low elevation hikes to longer mileage, higher elevation trails. If you’re looking to head on an adventure, check these spots out below. For a full list of the best hikes in the Olympic Peninsula , check this blog post out.
Visit Cape Flattery
If you go no where else in the Olympic Peninsula, make sure to visit Cape Flattery. Nothing has captivated my soul quiet like Cape Flattery. It’s been one of the most moving places I’d ever been too; needless to say, Cape Flattery is truly breathtaking. Cape Flattery offers a dramatic backdrop to a surprisingly accessible 1.5 miles out-and-back hike. It’s managed by the Makah Tribe, and requires a permit which can be purchased for $25 at the many locations in Neah Bay. Not only does it offer unobtrusive panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, but during whale migration season, you can catch Gray whales, orcas, and humpback whales migrating south for the winter. And did I mention that Cape Flattery is a dog friendly hike?
Makah Cultural & Research Center Museum in Neah Bay
If you decide to visit Cape Flattery, I highly recommend that you stop into the Makah Cultural & Research Center Museum and learn the history of this land. This land was occupied by the Makah tribes. Visiting this museum had a profound impact on me, and it also helped me understand the spiritual energy at Cape Flattery. Plus, the artifacts in the museum are impressive as they recount the history of the traditional whale hunters in the Makah tribe and it’s importance to the survival of the tribe.
Head to the Beach
The beaches along the Olympic Peninsula are beautiful and offer serenity in nature. Ruby beach was easily one of my favorite beaches to visit along the Olympic Peninsula. With it’s gorgeous forest backdrop to the east and the beautiful majestic rock formations to the west, it offers a unique vista unlike many places.
- Ruby Beach
- Fort Worden Beach
- Dungeness Spit
- Salt Creek
- Hobuck Beach
- Shi Shi Beach
- Rialto Beach
- First Beach (La Push)
Visit the Tree of Life
The Tree of Life is worth a visit off the coastline of the Olympic Peninsula, as it consists of a large tree and it’s roots exposed along a beach cliff. It is located near Kalaloch Creek.
Go Camping
The second best way to get the most out of hiking is to camp out at one of the campsites surrounding the Olympic National Park. There are several campsites in the proximity of the Olympic Peninsula and along the coast. You can obtain a permit for a campsite here or book a glamping experience with hip camp. Either way, you can’t go wrong.
Backpacking
And the first best way to make the most of hiking is by obtaining a permit to backpack in the Olympic Peninsula.
Whale Watching
Depending on when you visit, you might get lucky and see a whale! There are plenty of vistas that are right on the Whale Trail. During the summer, I was out with family visiting Cape Flattery and I was starring out into the ocean when all of a sudden a giant whale breached the surface and jumped! Making a loud crashing sound that took a couple seconds to travel to us. It was magical to watch this whale make it’s way south.
Also, on the same day, as we were driving, we spotted a baby whale in the Challam bay! We pulled over and watched from the shoreline in awe.
Live Out Your Twilight Saga Dream in Forks, WA
Forks, Washington is the location Stephenie Meyer chose for her Twilight series. The Author of the famous Twilight series chose Forks, Washington as the primary location for her series due to it being the rainiest and darkest spot in the United States; which obviously makes the perfect location for a teenage vampire series. Although none of the filming of Twilight took place in Forks, Washington, Forks has become a must-visit destination for Twilight Enthusiasts, attracting an average of 60,000 annual visitors. Popular Twilight attractions include Bella’s red truck, Forks Washington Twilight Tour Map, the Cullen’s house, Twilight souvenir shops and more.
Visit the Hoh Rain Forest
The Hoh Rain Forest earns its name from the ever-flowing Hoh River that carves its way from Mount Olympus towards the Pacific Coast. During the year, it receives an average of 140 inches (3.55 meters) of precipitation which results in a lush, green canopy of both coniferous and deciduous species. Mosses and ferns that blanket the surfaces add another dimension to the enchantment of the rainforest.
Go Paddle Boarding at the Lake
When the weather is pleasant during the summer, you don’t want to miss out on an opportunity to paddle board or kayak in the Olympic Peninsula area. There’s nothing like soaking in the gorgeous views while leisurely moving through the lakes. Some great spots to go kayaking or paddle boarding include Lake Ozette, Lake Crescent,Lake Quinault and Lake Leland
Explore the Tide Pools on the Coast of Olympic National Park
While I was visiting the Olympic Peninsula, I loved exploring the tide pools at Ruby Beach. There were plenty of bright, giant green anemone and colorful starfish along the tide pools. The Giant Green Anemone opens its tentacles like flower petals in the tidal waters. It is usually accompanied with pink Coralline Algae. The most popular places to observe the tide pools are Kalaloch’s Beach 4 and Mora’s Hole in the Wall. However, Ruby Beach, Second Beach and Third Beach also offer great tide pools to visit. When to visit is important and the tides change daily. Check out the national Olympic Peninsula information center for more information.
Soak in the Views at the many Vista Points
As you drive through the coastline of the Olympic Peninsula, there are several vista spots to pull over and enjoy the views. As I mentioned earlier, Olympic Peninsula offers the most pristine and protected coastlines in the United States. Trust me when I say, you’ll want to make time to pull over at the vista spots to soak it all in.
In Summary Things to do in the Olympic Peninsula
Whether you’re searching for a coastal escape or peace and quiet in the mountains, the Olympic Peninsula is the perfect place to chase adventures in Washington. After my Solo trip to the Olympic Peninsula, I wanted to share these secrets with you. I hope this blog post helped you plan your trip to the Olympic Peninsula!
What has been your favorite spots to check out in the Olympic Peninsula? Feel free to leave a comment, I’ll make sure to respond.
Need help planning your trip to Washington? Here is a list of helpful blog posts to plan your trip to the Pacific Northwest.
- How to Plan a Solo Trip to the Olympic Peninsula
- Best Beaches in the Olympic Peninsula
- Things to do in Seattle in the Fall
- Ultimate Travel Guide to Seattle Washington
- Solo Travel Essentials for Women
- Best Mexico Destinations Non-Stop Flight from Seattle
- How to Travel Hack using Alaska Airlines credit card
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Evie
Female solo traveler, blogger and personal finance nerd helping women plan their solo travel adventures!
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