OLYMPIC PENINSULA ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
Wind Your Way Through This Breathtaking Region
A National Park, Rainforests, Native History, and Pacific Ocean Beaches.
To ease into the journey, you’ll begin your trip with a ferry ride from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island. Over the next week, you’ll loop through the stunning Olympic Peninsula and explore mountain lakes, rainforests, and some of the Pacific’s most remote beaches before returning to Seattle.
Do you want to extend the magic on your trip? Pair this Olympic Peninsula loop with our Oregon Coast Road Trip and continue south. You’ll experience even more ocean beaches and great surf towns.
Day 1: Seattle to Dungeness Recreation Area (90 miles, 3 hours, including 30 minutes on the ferry)
Your journey starts with a short drive from Peace Vans to the Seattle ferry dock, where you will catch the Bainbridge Island ferry. Check the schedule in advance and plan to be at the pier at least 30 minutes early.
The 35-minute crossing from Seattle to Bainbridge can be enjoyed from the comfort of your van or the ferry’s passenger cabin. As the ferry pulls away from the dock, you’ll see an iconic panorama of the Seattle skyline, so have your camera ready!
After arriving on the island, you’ll find that downtown Bainbridge is just around the corner. There is a full-service grocery store (Town and Country) and many delightful shops to explore. Don’t dally, though - attend to your errands and return on the road because more adventure awaits today!
If you’re running late and want to get to your campsite for the first night, skip Bainbridge and continue onto Poulsbo, where Central Market is located. When you arrive in Poulsbo, stop by Sluy’s Bakery for world-famous doughnuts to enjoy your second morning.
Next up is the quaint Victorian town of Port Townsend. Stop on Water Street and check out the shops. There are art galleries, neat stores, and places to stock up on sweet treats. While in town, visit Fort Worden State Park. This former military base has expansive views of Puget Sound and old barracks to explore.
Camp your first night at Dungeness Recreation Area, less than an hour’s drive from Port Townsend. Walk out on the 5-mile spit and take in the views. Assuming it’s clear enough, you can see across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria, BC.
An alternative option for camping the first night is Fay Bainbridge State Park. It's only 20 minutes off the ferry, so it's the perfect choice if you’re tired or need some extra time.
Photo Courtesy: Wei Zeng
Day 2: Dungeness County Park to Lake Crescent (75 miles, 2 hours)
Set off to the west toward the coastal town of Port Angeles.
Just before you reach downtown, turn left on Race Street, which becomes Hurricane Ridge Road. Hurricane Ridge is busy, and for a good reason - it’s hands-down one of the best accessible mountain drives in the state.
After your adventure on Hurricane Ridge, continue west along Highway 101 to Lake Crescent. Along the way, admire the awe-inspiring Elwha River. Lake Crescent is a glacier-fed lake known for its pristine beauty. The water is ice-cold and crystal clear. Set up camp in one of the campgrounds or somewhere along the lake. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a short hike to Marymere Falls.
Detour option! If you still have energy after exploring the lake, head to Sol Duc Hot Springs (about 40 mins from Lake Crescent). Enjoy a short hike to Sol Duc Falls from the resort, and then stop for a soak in the Sol Duc Hot Springs. The resort is somewhat commercialized, but a small entry fee will get you access to the mineral pools with various temperatures.
Alternate camping option: Salt Creek
Day 3: Lake Crescent to Cape Flattery (75 miles, 2 hours)
Today you’ll set foot on the northwesternmost point in the continental United States.
Drive an hour and a half west to Neah Bay on the Makah Reservation. Check out the Makah Museum to learn about the Makah tribe, who have inhabited this area for almost 4,000 years. A small gallery nearby called Raven's Corner is home to some beautiful wood carvings.
While you’re in town, stock up on supplies at the Washburn’s General Store and pick up your Makah Recreation Pass - you’ll need this to access Cape Flattery and various beaches.
Trek to Cape Flattery for some epic scenery and soul searching. It’s a 20-minute walk from the parking lot to the northwesternmost point in the continental United States.
You’ll head to the Hobuck Beach Resort tonight to camp in their meadow. You’ll likely meet fellow road warriors, surfers, and hippies around the fire.
Photo Courtesy: Joseph Lee
Day 4: Cape Flattery to Ozette Lake (42 miles, 2.5 hours)
Today, you’ll head inland from Hobuck and back to the coast. You can’t miss Shi Shi Beach! It’s an adventurous 2-mile hike to the ocean from the parking area. You can hike down via trail or climb down a rope system. Once there, you’ll find one of the most pristine and untouched beaches on the coast.
Soak in the serenity of the sand at Shi Shi Beach and then head to Ozette Lake to grab a camping spot for the night. See if you can swing the Ozette Triangle loop hike. Its diverse 9-mile trail allows you to hike along the lake, forest, beaches, and more. You’ll want at least 6 hours to complete the hike.
Day 5: Ozette Lake to Rialto Beach (90 miles, 2.5 hours)
Today is all about beaches, but you’ll have to earn it with some driving first. Head for the town of Forks. This is a great place to stock up on provisions for the rest of your trip. You might notice a lot of references to vampires and werewolves while in town, but don’t be scared ... Forks was the setting for the popular Twilight series.
Just west of Forks lies Second Beach, La Push Beach (also known as First Beach), and Rialto Beach. These are arguably the most beautiful stretches of land on the whole coast.
When it’s time to get cozy for the night, find a spot to camp at Mora Campground, just about 2 miles from the coast near Rialto Beach.
Photo Courtesy: Aaron Burden
Day 6: Rialto Beach to Kalaloch (85 miles, 2 hours)
It’s time to hit the rainforest. Drive back through Forks and on to the Hoh Rainforest. Stretch your legs with a hike through the Hall of Mosses Trail. This will be like nothing you’ve ever seen before; a hidden world with curtains of moss in a show of heavenly green.
Head back west toward Ruby Beach, another breathtaking Pacific Coast destination.
If you planned and were lucky enough to grab a camping reservation at Kalaloch, you’re in luck! If not, you have more driving ahead of you - head inland towards Lake Quinault. Look for a spot at either the North Fork or Graves Creek campgrounds.
Are you interested in staying at our private Peace Vans campsite in Kalaloch? Let us know when you book a rental!
Day 7: Kalaloch to Peace Vans (190 miles, 3.5 hours)
If you camped at Kalaloch, head to the rainforest for the morning. Take the Hall of Mosses trail inside the Olympic National park and grab at burger at The Hard Rain cafe on your way back. Cruise the 31 miles of the Lake Quinault Rain Forest Drive to see some of the world’s most giant trees: Sitka Spruce, Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, and Western Hemlock.
Now it’s time to complete the loop you started when leaving Peace Vans. Head east toward the city and watch the rolling terrain pass by your window.
If you’re hungry, stop in the town of Elma at Smitty's In & Out (no relation to the California chain, but the burgers are still darn good!). Finally, return to Peace Vans to drop off your beloved van for the next set of happy travelers.
Optional Additional Night
If you can’t get enough, check out the charming seaside town of Westport for a final night. This place is a surfer’s paradise! Our lovely friends at LOGE Westport even offer 20% off if you book through this link or use promo code PEACEVANS at checkout.