Road-Tripping is my all time favorite way to travel. The freedom and ability to rule where you stop, the chips and candy breaks at the gas station and the overall flexibility to go when you are ready. I have done so many road trips through my home state California, Arizona and Oregon. Washington calls to me with its gorgeous mountains and lush rainforests. So if you are ready to grab your car and head out on a magical enchanting forest, walk along breathtaking beaches and put those hiking boots on for a goregous waterfall. This is the Olypic National Park road trip for you

Disclaimer: We choose to visit Olympic National park in January. For us, this was the perfect time to visit with fewer crowds and snow. However, many places are closed and services can be more sparse if you choose to visit during winter. I would love to venture back in the summer to hit up Sol Duc Falls and hike Hurricane Ridge, however the weather and time of the year did not allow for these areas.

Stop #1 – QUINAULT RAIN FOREST

Our first stop was Quinault-rain-forest-nature-trail which a short 0.9 mile loop that takes you through gorgous trees. This is a less popular stop than the HOH rainforest which we will get to soon. I cant recommend stopping here enough. There is also a beautiful lake that you can drive around as well in the area.

STOP #2 – RUBY BEACH

The next stop was Ruby Beach. A short trail from the parking lot takes you down to a beach filled with lots of driftwood. As soon as we arrived the rain started so we didnt stay long, however this looks like a gorgeous beach to go for a stroll along the coast. The dreary weather of the Washington coast can be cold any time of the year so make sure you bundle up!

STOP #3 – Hoh Rainforest

By far my favorite stop in our Olympic National Park road trip! This temperate rainforest of Assisi looks like a fairytale – every corner we turned had something special and unique. This is trail we hiked. There are other trails around as well if you are feeling extra adventurous!

Bottom of Merymere Falls

Stop #4 – Merymere Falls

We got up early the next morning ( We stayed in Port Angeles) to hike the Merymere falls trail. Out of all the trails we hiked, this seemed to be the most popular. TIP- get there early or late afternoon, parking fills up quickly! This is the trail we hiked.

STOP #5 – HURRICANE RIDGE

Our last stop ( almost didnt go as we had to get back to the airport) and so glad we did stop was Hurricane Ridge. For the winter sport lovers there is a snow play area at the top of the mountain. There is also this trail if you bring snow shoes you can walk in the winter. This is one place that I must come back to see in the spring. This drive was so pretty! I wish we had more time to explore this area, I would plan to spend a few hours or more depending on what you plan to do!

We hope that you found this list helpful. Olympic national park is huge and there are many incredible hikes I know we missed. With only a weekend to spend in the park and the time of year we visited I know we missed out.

Drop us a comment on your favorite places in Olympic national park that we missed.

XOXO,

The Pea Crew