Welcome to Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula! We invite you to explore this area’s miles of puzzle-like shorelines, trails through dense rainforest valleys and spectacular views from alpine meadows crowned with glaciers.
Port Angeles, the largest town (19,000) on the Peninsula, is about three hours west of Seattle by car and Washington State Ferry. It is about 90 minutes south from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, to Port Angeles by the Coho ferry crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Travel about an hour and fifteen minutes east to Forks, Washington, home of the Twilight series and the Legend of Mick Dodge. The National Historic District and scenic Victorian seaport of Port Townsend is about an hour east of Port Angeles. Sequim, the self-named Lavender Capital of North America™ is about half an hour from Port Angeles.
The Olympic Peninsula has a rich history of native culture and pioneering spirit; an abundance of local culinary treats (Dungeness crab, mussels, clams, berries, salmon, halibut, mushrooms, as well as human-created cheeses, wines, breads and chocolates); access to crazy, great outdoor activity; and friendly communities like pearls on a string around Highway 101 that circles the Olympic Peninsula.
Here you can surf in the morning and go snowboarding after lunch. Or, snow ski in the morning and play a round of golf in the afternoon. Kayak, backpack, golf, bird watch, eat, hike a wild beach, watch for whales, listen to some first-class music or discover a one-of-a-kind art treasure. You can find it all here.
The Olympic Peninsula is also known for its biological diversity. Isolated for eons by glacial ice, and later the waters of Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Peninsula has developed its own distinct array of plants and animals. Eight kinds of plants and 15 kinds of animals are found on the peninsula, but nowhere else on Earth.
Come visit! Request a travel planner and you’ll be ready to plan your visit … Who knows? You may even find a place to call home!
National Parks
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
Located in the northwest portion of Washington State, the Olympic Peninsula is home to Olympic National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve. At nearly a million acres, the park is often referred to as "three parks in one” because of its three distinctly different ecosystems: the Pacific coastline, the primeval forests, and the rugged mountains. These diverse ecosystems are still largely pristine due to its wilderness designation and the fact that the interior of the park is only accessible by trail. Roads enter into the Park at locations around the Peninsula like spokes on a wheel.
The rainforest is one of only three temperate rainforests on earth. Weather systems come off the Pacific Ocean, bump into the Olympic Mountains and stop, dropping 140 to 170 inches (336 – 432cm) of rain (or 12 to 14 feet, 3.7 – 4.3m!) per year. Perfect conditions to find deep, dramatic, mossy rainforests.
Once at the bottom of the ocean, Mt. Olympus, the highest peak in the park, receives over 200 inches (five meters) of precipitation each year, mostly as snow. Mt. Olympus and its surrounding peaks are a photographers dream, showing off the third largest glacial system in the contiguous US.
Seventy-three miles of wild Pacific Ocean beaches are protected by Olympic National Park. Dramatic surf, storms, micro-societies in tidal pools and massive whales spouting as they migrate offshore await visitors.
OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST
The Olympic National Forest nearly encircles the entire Olympic National Park with 633,000 acres of additional playground. It offers a wide range of recreation, including hiking, camping, picnicking, and boating in a diverse landscape ranging from lush rain forest to deep valleys to high mountain ridges. There are more than 200 miles of trails, many of which wander through ancient old growth forests. Dogs are welcome on all ONF lands!
OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST CAMPING
ONF operates 17 campgrounds on a first-come, first-served basis with varying fees. The five designated Wilderness areas do not require wilderness permits but a Northwest Forest Pass is required for vehicles parked at many ONF trailheads. Click HERE for complete information on passes and fees. For a list of campgrounds, click HERE.
State Parks
Sequim Bay State Park
A year-round, 92-acre marine camping park with 4,909 feet of saltwater coast in the Sequim "rainshadow," just inside Puget Sound on the Olympic Peninsula. The bay is calm, the air is dry and interpretive opportunities await visitors.
Fort Worden State Park
A 433-acre multi-use park with 11,020 feet of saltwater shoreline and a wide variety of services and facilities. The park rests on a high bluff overlooking Puget Sound. Many historic buildings remain at this 19th century military fort.
Bogachiel State Park
A thickly forested 123-acre camping park on the banks of the Bogachiel River. It is remotely located on the northwestern tip of Washington state.
County Parks
CLALLAM COUNTY PARKS
Clallam County manages parks in various parts of the County, primarily oriented around water. Camping, fishing, boating, hiking, horse riding, picnicking, scuba diving, beachcombing, and fairgrounds activities are some of the recreation opportunities available to visitors. For details, click here.
CLALLAM COUNTY PARKS - OVERNIGHT CAMPING
- Dungeness Recreation Area has 67 campsites, three restrooms (two with showers), group camping with a shelter, playground, hiking and equestrian trails, on 216 acres. The County Park, with sweeping views of the shipping traffic as they make their way through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, serves as the trailhead for the Dungeness Spit National Wildlife Refuge.
- Salt Creek Recreation Area includes upland forests, rocky tide pool shoreline, sand beach, and panoramic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Crescent Beach, and Vancouver Island on its 196 acres. Visitors will find 92 campsites, including 39 utility sites, three restrooms (two with showers), hiking trails, playground, sandlot baseball field, dump station, reservations-allowed picnic shelter, five shoreline access points, a marine sanctuary, and basketball, volleyball, and horseshoe courts. Salt Creek has been voted the "Best Campground for Clallam County" by the readers of the Peninsula Daily News in 2006.
JEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS
For details, click here.
JEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS - OVERNIGHT CAMPING
- Oak Bay – Port Hadlock. Upper and Lower Oak Bay has camping from April 1st to October 31st. Playground. Amazing bird watching, beaches and shoreline.
- Quilcene Community Campground and Day Use Park – Quilcene. Easy drive to Hood Canal, Port Townsend and the vicinity. Tennis and basketball courts. Trails in Olympic National Park, swimming, boating and fishing are nearby.
MASON COUNTY PARKS
For details, click here.
MASON COUNTY PARKS OVERNIGHT CAMPING
Towns
For detailed information about communities around the Olympic Peninsula, a list of local events and other visitor information, please request a Travel Planner.
Amanda Park and Quinault
The Quinault Valley is the southwestern gateway to the Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park. Lake Quinault is the majestic centerpiece of the Valley. Easy access to swimming, kayaking, canoeing, sailing and fishing is available from the many campgrounds and resorts.
Brinnon/Quilcene
Nestled in the scenic area of Highway 101 along the shore of the great fjord called Hood Canal at the eastern edge of the Olympic National Forest. Find great places to stay, deep water marinas, three major rivers, clam and oyster beaches. There are camping venues in the forest and along the beach. Bring your kayaks and boats, scuba and fishing gear! Fun dining, shopping and local events, too!
Clallam Bay/Sekiu
World-famous fishing destination and close to unspoiled ocean beaches and miles of hiking trails. A birders paradise and plenty of places for whale watching.
Forks
Minutes from the rainforest, Pacific Ocean beaches, hiking trails and good fishing. Home to Twilight and the Legend of Mick Dodge, Forks has a deep history in the forestry industry. Visit the Logging Museum or take the tour to get a glimpse into the past and heritage of the area.
Neah Bay
Walk the boardwalk to Cape Flattery, the most northwest point in the continental US. You’ll find a world-class cultural museum and the best smoked salmon ever in Neah Bay!
Port Angeles
With access to Hurricane Ridge, the most popular attraction of Olympic National Park, Port Angeles is home to year-round ferry transportation to Victoria, Canada. The downtown waterfront is ideal for walking. Take a guided tour of historical underground Port Angeles, take time to enjoy Art on the Town (38 outdoor sculptures) and find easy access the Olympic Discovery Trail.
Port Hadlock
Day trippers and campers will find rolling hills, farms, miles of waterfront, a maritime heritage, fishing and camping.
Port Ludlow
A lovely community built to maintain the integrity of the natural environment. Wildlife is abundant, as are opportunities for water sports, sailing, kayaking, fishing. The Resort at Port Ludlow maintains a marina, a championship golf course and a lodging facility with an exceptional restaurant.
Port Townsend
Port Townsend is one of only three Victorian Seaports on the National Register of Historic Places. Stroll the miles of trails at Fort Worden with views of the shipping lanes on the Strait of Juan de Fuca or deep forests where deer still wander without fear. The gardens at Chetzemoka Park are enjoyable in every season. Museums, boutiques, music events and a maritime heritage add to the charm of Port Townsend.
Sequim
The sun shines in Sequim more than anywhere else in Western Washington. The "rain shadow" effect, caused by the Olympic Mountains, shelters the valley from excessive rain. Sequim has a rich history, with traditions of the local S’Klallam tribe and the agricultural heritage of early settlers. It’s the self-proclaimed Lavender Capital of North America™.
Shelton/ Mason County
Nestled on Hood Canal, the only true saltwater fjord in the lower U.S., the clear deep waters provide world-class shrimp and salmon fishing, scuba diving and miles of pristine shoreline for boaters, kayakers, beachcombers and lovers of nature.
Scenic Activities
Olympic National Park
Any time is perfect to explore the Park as the scenic views change in every season. In winter, snowshoe with a Ranger at Hurricane Ridge and marvel at the glacier-strewn, jagged mountains. Spring brings melting snow thundering down the rivers and over the waterfalls. In the alpine meadows, wildflowers create a multi-colored carpet. During summer, find lush forest trails leading to alpine lakes and views across a valley to the next ridge. On a warm summer day, find a shaded spot under a mossy tree or a cool eddy in a river to dangle your feet. In the fall, stroll 73 miles of pristine beaches snapping photos of giant sea stacks, brave surfers or tiny creatures in tidepools. From high alpine sites to the puzzle-like jagged ocean coast to the enchanted rainforest you’ll know you are somewhere special.
Olympic Peninsula Waterfall Trail
One of the Olympic Peninsula's favorite tours is the self-guided Waterfall Trail. One waterfall is wheelchair accessible, some are visible from the car, while others require backcountry hiking. A few are best viewed from the water via a boat or raft. The Waterfall Trail is a wonderful way to enjoy some of the best of the Olympic Peninsula's natural wonders.
Highway 112 Scenic Byway
The Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway leads to the most northwest point of the contiguous United States. This byway follows the shoreline of a glacial-carved Strait of Juan de Fuca that connects Puget Sound to the Pacific Ocean. While travelers venture along the remote stretch of coastline with rugged cliffs and forests, glimpses of eagles, gray whales or otters are common. Hop out of the car and walk, bike, boat or kayak to explore the wild shoreline or forests, fish for salmon or learn about Native American cultures.
The Whale Trail
With over a dozen designated locations dotted along the coastline, the Olympic Peninsula can offer excellent whale watching. There are resident gray whales and orcas, so it is possible to see whales year round. Several whale watching boat tours are available from Port Angeles and Port Townsend.
The Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT)
The Olympic Peninsula is Washington State’s premier destination for non-motorized touring, filled with views of snow capped peaks, ocean vistas, fast flowing rivers and pristine lakes, farm land and everywhere the majestic forests of the Pacific Northwest. A little over 60 miles of the planned 126-mile trail are complete with a wide, paved pathway designed to multi-user standards for bicyclists, hikers and disabled users with a 4’ shoulder for equestrians where appropriate. Portions of the trail follow a rails-to-trails corridor along the rail bed built in 1914 and 1915. The trail will eventually run from Port Townsend to the Pacific Coast ocean beach of La Push.
Culinary Loop
The Olympic Culinary Loop represents a group of people who grow, harvest, catch and ultimately serve the Peninsula's bounty that we call Olympic Coast Cuisine. Experiencing all that's local is an adventure, and for many a first time experience. The Peninsula is a mosaic of past and present: a rich Native American heritage, pioneer farm families and a new community of young organic farmers, wine and cider makers, cheese makers and dairy farmers who want to put down roots and work the land and preserve it for the future.
Audubon Olympic Loop - Birding
The Peninsula is on the path for many migratory birds and 346 different species are recorded annually. With mild winters and diverse habitat make this paradise for birders. From shore birds to raptors, from swans to owls, from dippers to puffins to our winter-over hummingbirds, stop at the Dungeness River Audubon Center at Railroad Bridge Park to get first-hand familiarity with birds of the Olympic Peninsula.
Events
Request a Travel Planner for a more detailed list of local events on the Olympic Peninsula. For a list of the most current events, visit www.OlympicPeninsula.org
January
- Jan. 19 National Park Free Admission Day
- Snowgrass Bluegrass Concert, Port Angeles
February
- Red Wine and Chocolate Tour, Peninsula Wineries
- Feb. 14-16 National Park Free Admission Day
March
- Welcoming the Whales Ceremony, La Push
- Victorian Heritage Festival, Port Townsend
April
- Shelton Old Time Fiddle Fest, Shelton
- Olympic Peninsula Bird Festival, Sequim
- April 18-19 National Park Free Admission Day
- Eagle Festival, Neah Bay
- Earth Day Beach Clean up, Clallam Bay/Sekiu
May
- 120th Annual Sequim Irrigation Festival
- NW Wine & Cheese Tour, Peninsula Wineries
- Hama Hama Oyster Rama, Lilliwaup
- 80th Annual Rhododendron Festival, Port Townsend
- 21st Annual Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts, Port Angeles
- Shrimpfest, Brinnon
- 10th Annual Fly-In, Sekiu
- Mason County Forest Festival, Shelton
June
- Clallam Bay/Sekiu Fishing Derby
- North Olympic Discovery Marathon, Sequim to Port Angeles
- Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, Port Townsend
- Surfing and Traditions Youth Surf Camp, La Push
July
- Celebrate Hoodsport, Hoodsport
- Forks Old Fashioned 4th of July, Forks
- 34th Annual Clallam Bay & Sekiu Fun Days/ Clallam Bay/Sekiu
- Sequim Lavender Weekend, Sequim
- Quileute Days, La Push
- Allyn Days & Geoduck Festival, Allyn
- Jazz Port Townsend, Port Townsend
- Festival by the Bay, Port Ludlow
- Hadlock Days, Port Hadlock
August
- 32nd Annual Joyce Daze Wild Blackberry Festival, Joyce
- Tour de Lavender, Sequim
- Ride the Hurricane, Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge
- Taste of Hood Canal, Belfair
- Rainforest Run Motorcycle Rally, Forks
- 79th Annual Jefferson County Fair, Port Townsend
- Heritage Weekend, Port Angeles
- Sprint Boat Races, Port Angeles
- Clallam County Fair, Port Angeles
- Makah Days, Neah Bay
- Aug 25 National Park Free Admission Day
- Third Annual Air Affaire, Sequim
September
- Hood Canal Highland Celtic Festival, Belfair
- Olympic Bike Adventure, Port Angeles
- 39th Annual Wooden Boat Festival, Port Townsend
- Sprint Boat Races, Port Angeles
- Stephenie Meyer Day & Bella’s Birthday Weekend, Forks
- Great Strait Sale, 61-mile event along Hwy. 112
- 13th Annual WSU Farm Tour, Jefferson County Farms
- 16th Annual Port Townsend Film Festival, Port Townsend
- Dungeness River Festival, Sequim
- Sept 26 National Park Free Admission Day
October
- North Olympic Fiber Arts Festival, Sequim
- 33rd Annual Kinetic Skulpture Race, Port Townsend
- West Coast Oyster Shucking Championship and Washington State Seafood Festival, Shelton
- Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival, Port Angeles
- Rain Forest Mushroom Festival, Lake Quinault Lodge
- International Forest Storytelling Festival, Port Angeles
- PumpkinFest Pumpkin Catapult Contest, Union
November
- Nov 11 National Park Free Admission Day
- Harvest Wine Tour, Peninsula Wineries
- 10th Annual Woodworkers Show, Port Townsend
- Fantasy Forest, Shelton
- Festival of Trees, Port Angeles
December
- Christmas Bird Count, Sequim
- Various tree lightings, Santa visits, parades and holiday festivities in all local communities
