The loop around Olympic National Park packs mountains, rainforest and wild Pacific beaches into one drive. This 8-day Olympic Peninsula itinerary runs from Seattle through Port Angeles, Forks and Lake Quinault on US-101.
The loop around Olympic National Park is one of the most varied drives in the United States. In a single week on US-101 you go from a major Pacific city to glacier-cut mountains, one of the country's largest temperate rainforests, a coastline of sea stacks and driftwood, and groves of record-breaking trees. This Olympic Peninsula loop road trip itinerary covers the full circuit over eight unhurried days, running clockwise from Seattle the way the peninsula is most easily explored.
The drive begins in Seattle, crosses Puget Sound to Port Angeles on the park's northern edge, then follows US-101 west and south through Forks and Lake Quinault before returning through Aberdeen and the state capital at Olympia. The full perimeter loop is around 300 miles, but the real point is how much changes along the way: alpine meadows at Hurricane Ridge, the moss-hung Hoh Rain Forest, the surf at Rialto Beach, and the giant trees of Quinault. None of the driving legs runs much over two hours, so there is plenty of time to stop.
May to October is the window when every part of the park is open and accessible. July and August bring the warmest, driest weather and the fullest range of ranger programs, while mid-May and late September are quieter with good conditions and thinner crowds. Hurricane Ridge Road is seasonal and can close in winter snow, when chains are required, so summer is the safest bet for the high country. Pack layers and a waterproof whatever the month, as the west side of the peninsula is one of the wettest places in the country.
The Olympic loop rewards travellers who like nature in many forms and are happy to swap nightlife for early starts and forest walks. It suits couples, families and solo drivers comfortable with a full but gentle week of driving on good paved roads. The walks here are mostly short and easy, from the Hall of Mosses to Marymere Falls, so you do not need to be a serious hiker to see the best of it.
Start in Seattle, the natural gateway to the peninsula. Spend a day on the waterfront at Pike Place Market, ride up the Space Needle for the lay of the land, and stock up before the drive. The next morning you cross Puget Sound, either on a Washington State Ferry or south through Tacoma and over the Hood Canal Bridge.
Port Angeles is the northern base for the park and earns two nights. Drive the 18-mile road up to Hurricane Ridge for subalpine meadows, summer wildflowers and views across the glaciated Olympic Mountains. The next day, head west to Lake Crescent, a deep glacial lake whose water glows turquoise in the sun, and walk the easy mile and a half to Marymere Falls. The pools and waterfall at Sol Duc make a fine add-on.
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Forks is a working timber town and the best base for the park's western rainforest and coast. Spend a morning in the Hoh Rain Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the Hall of Mosses winds beneath maples hung with club moss. In the afternoon drive out to Rialto Beach or La Push for sea stacks, tide pools and great drifts of bleached driftwood. Ruby Beach, a short way south, is one of the most photographed shores on the coast.
Lake Quinault sits on the park's quieter south side, ringed by old-growth rainforest. The Quinault valley shelters some of the world's largest Sitka spruce, western red cedar and western hemlock, several reachable on the short Rain Forest Nature Trail near the historic lodge. One night is enough to walk the loop trails and slow down before the run back.
The drive back curves south through Aberdeen and then east to Olympia, Washington's state capital. The domed Legislative Building stands on a landscaped campus above Capitol Lake, with free guided tours, and the waterfront farmers market is a good place to stretch your legs. From here it is a short hop north on Interstate 5 to close the loop in Seattle.
Crossing to the peninsula: Reserve a Washington State Ferry sailing in advance to avoid long summer waits, or drive south through Tacoma if the Hood Canal Bridge is closed for marine traffic.
Park pass: Buy your Olympic National Park pass at the visitor center in Port Angeles, and confirm that Hurricane Ridge Road is open before you drive up.
Tides: Check a tide table before walking out at Rialto Beach or Ruby Beach. The best tide-pooling and the safest walking are around low water.
Fuel and supplies: Services thin out on the west and south of the loop. Fill up in Port Angeles, Forks and Aberdeen, and carry snacks and water for the longer rainforest stretches.
Ready to see every stop, driving leg and overnight on a map? Explore our full Olympic Peninsula loop route below.
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The full route — stops, maps, and driving times — is on Routebook by Kington.
An 8-day loop from Seattle around Olympic National Park on US-101, taking in Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, the Hoh Rain Forest, the wild beaches near Forks and the giant trees of Lake Quinault before returning through Olympia.
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