Olympic Peninsula loop: ridges, rain forest and wild beaches

Q: How many days do you need for Olympic Peninsula loop: ridges, rain forest and wild beaches?

We suggest 4 days: about 3 h 31 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

Q: Where does Olympic Peninsula loop: ridges, rain forest and wild beaches start and end?

It starts in Port Angeles and ends in Quinault.

Q: Where can you camp along Olympic Peninsula loop: ridges, rain forest and wild beaches?

OpenStreetMap lists 75 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Dungeness Recreation Area Campground, Salt Creek Recreation Area Campground and Shadow Mountain RV & Campground.

Q: When is the best time for Olympic Peninsula loop: ridges, rain forest and wild beaches?

The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

From Port Angeles up Hurricane Ridge, around Lake Crescent to Cape Flattery, then down the wild Pacific beaches to the Quinault rain forest.

Distance: 318 km (197 mi)
Driving: 3 h 31 min
Suggested days: 4
Stops: 9
States: WA
Updated: July 13, 2026

At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 318 km (197 mi) with 9 stops, from Port Angeles to Quinault. About 3 h 31 min of driving in total.

More road trips in Washington

Route description

From Port Angeles, Hurricane Ridge Road climbs 17 miles to a ridge at about 5,200 feet with views of Mount Olympus and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The day lodge burned in 2023, so bring food and water; in winter the road usually opens only Friday to Sunday by day, weather permitting. Back in town, follow US-101 west to Lake Crescent, a deep glacial lake about 30 minutes away.

From the Storm King ranger station, an easy trail leads to 90-foot Marymere Falls. West of the lake, turn off onto Sol Duc Road for 14 miles through old forest to the trailhead for Sol Duc Falls, under a mile each way. Then take SR-112 along the Strait to Neah Bay, a narrow and winding road, about two hours from Sol Duc.

At Cape Flattery, on the Makah Reservation, a boardwalk trail leads to platforms above sea caves at the northwestern tip of the contiguous US; buy a Makah Recreation Pass in Neah Bay. Return to US-101 and continue to Forks. West of Forks, the road to La Push ends at Rialto Beach, where the Hole-in-the-Wall arch is 1.5 miles north at low tide.

South of Forks, US-101 reaches the coast at Ruby Beach and runs along the Kalaloch beaches, with a large campground on the bluff. It then turns inland to Lake Quinault, where trails through the rain forest start from South Shore Road. The whole route with side trips is about 300 miles; park entrance fees apply at Hurricane Ridge and Sol Duc. Book campgrounds early for summer.

Stop-by-stop itinerary

In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.

1

Port Angeles
WA
Start
2

Hurricane Ridge
ViewsPort Angeles, WA
A ridge at 5,200 feet facing the glaciers of Mount Olympus, 17 miles up from Port Angeles. The day lodge burned in 2023, so bring food; check road hours, as winter access is limited.
21 km
3

Marymere Falls
NatureLake Crescent, WA
A 90-foot waterfall reached by an easy trail of about 1.8 miles round trip through old forest from the Storm King area on Lake Crescent. Park at the ranger station off US-101.
28 km
4

Sol Duc Falls
NatureOlympic National Park, WA
A waterfall splitting into several channels as it drops into a mossy slot canyon. The trail is under a mile each way from the end of Sol Duc Road, past the hot springs resort.
13 km
5

Cape Flattery
ViewsNeah Bay, WA
The northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States, on the Makah Reservation. A boardwalk trail of about 1.5 miles round trip leads to cliff platforms over sea caves; buy a Makah Recreation Pass in Neah Bay.
97 km
6

Rialto Beach
NatureLa Push, WA
A wild beach of drift logs and sea stacks at the mouth of the Quillayute River. Walk 1.5 miles north to the Hole-in-the-Wall arch at low tide; the car park is at the end of the road from Forks.
62 km
7

Ruby Beach
NatureKalaloch, WA
A beach of sea stacks, driftwood and reddish sand on the Olympic coast, a short walk down from a pull-out on US-101. Sunset is the favourite time; the lot is small and fills in summer.
34 km
8

Quinault Rain Forest
NatureQuinault, WA
Temperate rain forest around Lake Quinault, with record-size trees and moss-draped maples. The Quinault Loop Trail starts on South Shore Road; a 31-mile drive loops around the lake and valley.
60 km
9

Quinault
WA
2 km

Suggested stages and overnight stops

4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.

Day 1: Port Angeles → Sol Duc Falls · 38 mi · 0 h 41 minOn the way: Hurricane Ridge, Marymere Falls.Overnight nearby, for example: Sol Duc Campground (1 mi); Shadow Mountain RV & Campground (11 mi).
Day 2: Sol Duc Falls → Cape Flattery · 61 mi · 1 h 05 minOvernight nearby, for example: Hobuck Beach Resort (4 mi); Ozette Campground (16 mi).
Day 3: Cape Flattery → Rialto Beach · 39 mi · 0 h 41 minOvernight nearby, for example: Mora Campground (1 mi); 3 Rivers Resort (5 mi).
Day 4: Rialto Beach → Quinault · 60 mi · 1 h 04 minOn the way: Ruby Beach, Quinault Rain Forest.Overnight nearby, for example: Rain Forest Resort Village RV Campground (1 mi); Falls Creek Campground (< 1 km).

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.

Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons

FAQs

How long is Olympic Peninsula loop: ridges, rain forest and wild beaches?

4-day road trip of about 318 km (197 mi) with 9 stops, from Port Angeles to Quinault. About 3 h 31 min of driving in total.

How many days do you need for Olympic Peninsula loop: ridges, rain forest and wild beaches?

We suggest 4 days: about 3 h 31 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

Where does Olympic Peninsula loop: ridges, rain forest and wild beaches start and end?

It starts in Port Angeles and ends in Quinault.

Which states does Olympic Peninsula loop: ridges, rain forest and wild beaches pass through?

Washington.

Where can you camp along Olympic Peninsula loop: ridges, rain forest and wild beaches?

OpenStreetMap lists 75 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Dungeness Recreation Area Campground, Salt Creek Recreation Area Campground and Shadow Mountain RV & Campground.

When is the best time for Olympic Peninsula loop: ridges, rain forest and wild beaches?

The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)