Enjoy the best of the Olympic Peninsula!
2024 Olympic National Park Alerts.
EXPLORE LOCALLY AND ENJOY PORT ANGELES
Within Port Angeles visit the Fiero Marine Center stop at local eateries and shop our local stores. There is a budding winery developing along the Olympic Peninsula, taste and explore local wines and ciders. Drive out to the local Ediz Hook for panaroma views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Port Angeles.
Olympic National Park - Check here for access alerts
Always make your first stop to the ONP ranger station for latest updates and information!
There are many short hikes with panoramic views of the Olympic range at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor's Center parking area. Stop at the Park Headquarters just down Port Angeles road to get advice on where to hike. One of our favorite hikes is located all the way at the end of the road at Hurricane Ridge. It is called Hurricane Hill Trail located at the busiest location in the park. Traffic is metered at the Heart of the Hills campground. An option is to take a bus from downtown Port Angeles to and from Hurricane Ridge. Purchase your tickets for park entrance and the bus in advance at Park Headquarters. Since a fire destroyed the Lodge at the top of Hurricane Ridge on May 7th, 2023, alternative restrooms are available.
Old Growth in Sol Duc Falls Trail in The Sol Duc Valley a Perfect Hike for Families
New Improved Hurricane Ridge Trail now paved to the top. Incredible vistas on both sides on the trail.
HEAD TO THE MOUNTAINS!
Park Fishing Regulations-"Olympic National Park protects over 75 miles of Pacific Coast, 600 lakes, and 4,000 miles of rivers and streams that support some of the most extensive runs of wild salmon, trout, and char remaining in the Pacific Northwest. Through the management of fish and aquatic environments, the park works to preserve and restore native fishes and their habitats and provide recreational fishing opportunities for the enjoyment of park visitors."
A simple day trip can take an environmentally minded adventurer to one of the great ecological success stories in recent times. Recent dam removal along the Elwah River have produced what is an amazing return of a natural habitat for bear, deer but most importantly some of the most important native fish runs in the state. Take a short hike to an overview of the transformation happening west of Port Angeles. Continue to Olympic Hot Springs Road and into Olympic National Park's Elwha Valley, hike along the free running Elwha River and visit the Interpretive Center. A more athletic hiker can take the Hurricane Hill Trail all the way to the Elwha Ranger Station in the Elwha Valley, 6.2 miles one way or hike 2.5 miles to the unmaintained hot springs on the Appleton Pass Trail.
Elhwa River Valley, Previous lake bottom at Glines Canyon
View from Lake Crescent Lodge.
THE PACIFIC COAST AWAITS!
Cape Flattery Makah Tribal Lands
2nd Beach Pacific Coast, Olympic National Park
PLAN YOUR BEACH VISITS AT LOW TIDES, ALWAYS CARRY:
TRIBAL PERMITS AS NEEDED
A TIDE CHART
TOPO MAP THAT SHOWS HEADLANDS THAT ARE ONLY PASSABLE AT LOW TIDES
DON'T GET CAUGHT! AVAILABLE AT RANGER STATIONS IN THE PARK.
Travel 70 miles by car to Neah Bay and visit the Makah Cultural and Research Center within the Makah Indian Reservation where the Makah people actively protect and documents their heritage. Artifacts from a native ancient archeological site along the coast at Capa Alava are stored and revealed here. The Capa Alava old village site was exposed after a storm to reveal the remains of a traditional whaling and trading village inhabited by native people prior to white contact. A hike can be taken along Olympic National Park and Makah land to Capa Alava, watch the tides as at higher tides the area is difficult and can be dangerous. The whaling village has been completely excavated and remnants of the village removed to the Cultural Center exhibit.
Nearby located the furthest point west on the contiguous states; Cape Flattery The western most land can be reached by a short hike, most of which is boardwalk. This is a good walk for families. Pick up a Tribal Pass at the Cultural Center before you enter Cape Flattery or surrounding areas as these lands are the Makah people's land and require tribal permission to access or park. Want to see more of the Pacific coast while in Makah area? Check out beautiful Hobuck Beach south of Cape Flattery along the way to the trail head to Shi Shi Beach (pronounced "shy shy") on Cape Flattery Road.
Beautiful Shi Shi Beach is accessible along the coastal area of the Olympic Pennisula. Shi Shi is another great hike at low tide but requires some planning. More than a day trip may be needed to appreciate the beauty of the coastal section of Makah Indian Reservation and Olympic National Park. Best season to visit is April to October. Conditions along the coast mean being prepared for rain, maybe lots of it! It is an easy but longer hike along boardwalk. Contact Park Headquarters for more information and pick up a Makah Pass.
Jade waters of the Pacific Coast at Cape Flattery.
BEAUTIFUL CANADA!
Victoria, BC Canada is just across the Strait by ferry. The Black Ball ferry leaves Port Angeles inner harbor and transports visitors to the lovely Victoria Harbor. Enjoy a day trip with time to explore the Royal British Columbia Museum and take 'high tea' at the Empress Hotel. If you have time arrange a bus trip to Butchart Gardens. Within walking distance of the ferry there are shops to explore, make sure to stop by Murchie's and select from a vast collection of tea, both royal and not!
Sports guides, birding and biking trails
For Fishing and Fly Fishing supplies, guiding services, classes look no further than Waters West located in downtown Port Angeles.
If you are itching for a kayaking, paddle board or mountain bike experience with nature and wildlife contact Adventure Through Kayaking. April through September trips are scheduled daily and October-March call for availability. Adventure Through Kayaking is located just west of Port Angeles along highway 101.
Located between Port Angeles and Sequim, Dungeness Spit and Lighthouse provide excellent views, hiking and birding opportunities. The Dungeness Lighthouse is 5.5 miles out at the end of the spit is accessible at low tide and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Want to have a guide to birding? Contact local guided tours. Or visit the local Dungeness River Audubon Center located on the Discovery Trail. Birding walks are available on the Center's calendar. The Center has a Dungeness Adventure Club for children every thursday 10am - Noon. Take a exotic drive through the Olympic Game Farm where "for over 40 years, Olympic Game Farm has provided an opportunity for visitors from all over the world to learn and observe wildlife, igniting countless imaginations."
Bicyclists now have a 130 mile Olympic Peninsula trail. Stay with Sleeping Raven Woodland Retreat at the approximate half way point while you explore the Olympic Discovery Trail. Take in a smaller section around Lake Crescent located just a shore drive west of Port Angeles, if your not up for the entire route. "The route of the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) traverses almost 130 miles of lowlands, bordered on the south by the Olympic Mountain Range and on the north by the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It starts in the Victorian seaport of Port Townsend and ends on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. The trail is a wide, paved pathway designed to multi user standards for bicyclists, hikers, and disabled users, with a 4’ shoulder for equestrians where appropriate."