Perfect 3-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary (Maps + Useful Tips)

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Olympic National Park covers mountains, rainforest, and coastline, all in one huge park. The roads take time, and the best sights are spread out, so planning is key.

This 3-day Olympic National Park itinerary gives you a realistic plan with actual driving times, easy trails, and must-see stops. You’ll get tips for parking, timing, and pacing your days so you can see the highlights without feeling rushed.

Follow this guide, and you’ll know exactly where to go, what to do, and how to make the most of your 3 days in the park.

Most visitors enter Olympic National Park from the Seattle area, and there are two main ways to get there.

The most popular option is to take a ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island or from Edmonds to Kingston, then drive to Port Angeles. This route takes about two to three and a half hours, depending on the ferry schedule and traffic.

If you prefer to skip the ferry, you can drive south through Tacoma and follow the highways around the Puget Sound to reach Port Angeles. This route usually takes about three to three and a half hours and works well if you want a straightforward drive without timing a ferry.

This post starts in Port Angeles, which is a convenient base for exploring the park. From here, you can follow a practical three-day route without backtracking.

Start your day early from Port Angeles to make the most of Day 1. The Hoh Rain Forest and Rialto Beach are on the west side of the park, and it takes time to get there.

From Port Angeles to the Hoh Rain Forest, it’s about 95 miles and roughly a 2-hour 15-minute drive without stops.

Leaving early not only helps you avoid traffic, but it also gives you more daylight to explore the forest and the coast.

The Hoh Rain Forest is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the United States, covering roughly 24 square miles. It receives over 12 feet of rain a year, which creates the lush green moss that drapes every tree and branch.

The forest is home to towering Sitka spruce and western hemlock, some of the tallest trees in the park, reaching over 200 feet. The forest floor is carpeted with ferns, mosses, and lichens, creating an almost otherworldly green landscape.

Streams and small waterfalls weave through the forest, and the air is cool and damp year-round, usually in the 50s–60s even in summer.

If you are lucky, you might be able to spot Roosevelt elk or black-tailed deer, river otters.

Elk in Hoh Rain Forest / 3-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary 

There are two short, easy hikes that will give you a true sense of the rainforest without requiring a full day. Both are beginner-friendly, flat, and offer plenty of photo opportunities.

Here is a map of the two trails:

Map of Hall of Mosses Trail and Spruce Nature Trail 

• Hall of Mosses Trail (0.8 miles): This short, flat loop winds along a stream and under massive spruce and hemlock trees. It’s perfect for photos and to experience the iconic moss-draped canopy. There are interpretive signs along the trail that highlight the unique ecosystem, including old-growth trees and rare plants.

Hoh Rain Forest / 3-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary

Hoh Rain Forest / 3-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary

• Spruce Nature Trail (1.2 miles): A slightly longer loop that passes open meadows and some of the tallest trees in the park. Along the way, you’ll cross a few small bridges and see plants like sword ferns, huckleberry, and lichens covering nearly every surface. This trail gives a broader feel for the forest’s diversity.

Hoh Rain Forest / 3-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary

Hoh Rain Forest / 3-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary

Both trails are easy and can be completed in about 1–1.5 hours total.

The Hoh Visitor Center has restrooms, picnic tables, and parking, but it fills quickly during peak summer hours.

PRO TIP: Parking fills up quickly, so plan to arrive early. Also, waterproof shoes are helpful, as the trails can be muddy.

After exploring the Hoh Rain Forest, drive about 27 miles to Rialto Beach, which usually takes around 50 minutes.

Rialto Beach is known for its dramatic coastline, black sand, and massive driftwood logs. Sea stacks rise from the ocean just offshore, creating iconic views that change constantly with the light and tides.

The beach is also home to tide pools where you can spot crabs, barnacles, starfish, and small anemones at low tide. The most famous feature is Hole-in-the-Wall, a natural rock arch that’s accessible only during low tide.

Rialto Beach / 3-Day Olympic National Park itinerary

Rialto Beach / 3-Day Olympic National Park itinerary

PRO TIP: Check tide charts before going, as the walk to Hole-in-the-Wall is only safe during low tide. If the tide is high, you can still enjoy short stretches of the beach near the parking lot, which offer great sea stack views.

After your visit, drive to Forks. It is about 15–20 miles, roughly 30–40 minutes. My two recommended places to stay in Forks are:

Pacific Inn Motel – Comfortable, clean rooms with kitchenettes in some units; convenient central location in Forks.

Dew Drop Inn – Budget-friendly, and simple but reliable for one night.;

Start your day in Forks and head toward the Sol Duc Valley, which is about a 45-minute drive from town.

The Sol Duc Valley has a completely different feel than the rest of the park. Deep forest, old-growth trees, and the sound of rushing water everywhere. It’s quieter than the beaches and the Hoh, and it’s probably one of the most peaceful places in the park.

Following is the map of the Sol Duc Valley to help you navigate through the area.

Map of Sol Duc Valley

Your first stop is the Sol Duc Falls Trail, an easy 1.6-mile round-trip hike. The trail winds through thick, moss-covered forest with massive cedar and fir trees.

You’ll cross a few wooden bridges before reaching Sol Duc Falls. It’s one of the most photographed waterfalls in Olympic.

The falls drop into a narrow, rocky gorge and create multiple chutes of water depending on the time of year. If there’s been recent rain, the flow is especially powerful. Plan for about at least one hour for this hike.

Sol Duc Trail / 3-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary

Sol Duc Trail / 3-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary

Just up the road from the trailhead is Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, where you can take a soak in the mineral pools if you’d like to relax before moving on. The pools are heated naturally, and temperatures vary from warm to very hot.

There’s also a small café and restrooms here.

After Sol Duc, drive toward Lake Crescent, which is about 45 minutes away. The road winds through forest before suddenly opening up to views of the lake—a deep, glacier-carved body of water known for its crystal-clear blue color.

The lake is over 600 feet deep, and the clarity comes from the lack of algae, which gives it that striking blue tone on sunny days.

Lake Crescent / 3-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary

Following is the map of the area:

Map of Lake Crescent Area

The most popular short trail in this area is the Marymere Falls Trail, a 0.9-mile walk through quiet forest and along Barnes Creek. The trail is mostly flat until the last short climb up to the waterfall viewpoint.

Marymere Falls / 3-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary

Marymere Falls drops about 90 feet in a thin, elegant ribbon of water. It’s beautiful in the spring when snowmelt is at its strongest. The trail starts right behind the historic Lake Crescent Lodge, where there are restrooms, picnic tables, and a small beach area.

After your hike, spend some time enjoying the lake. This is a great stop for a simple picnic, or you can rent a kayak or paddleboard if the weather is calm.

From Lake Crescent, it’s an easy 45- to 60-minute drive back to Port Angeles, where you will stay for two nights. My two recommended places to stay are Olympic Lodge and Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles, which offer easy access to restaurants and groceries.

Start your day 3 of the Olympic National Park itinerary in Port Angeles. From here, it’s an easy 20-minute drive (about 8 miles) up to Hurricane Ridge, one of the most accessible high-alpine areas in Olympic National Park.

Hurricane Ridge sits at around 5,242 feet, and the views begin the moment you step out of your car. On a clear day, you can see deep glacier-carved valleys, jagged Olympic peaks, and even Vancouver Island across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Following is the map of the area:

Map of Hurricane Ridge Area 

You’ll find here several short trails that let you explore the scenery without needing a full-day hike.

Cirque Rim is a half-mile paved walk with big views over Port Angeles and the blue stretch of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Big Meadow is another easy paved path that winds through open fields with mountain views in every direction—great for anyone who wants a relaxed walk. Both are nearly flat and wheelchair accessible with assistance.

If you’re up for something a little steeper, the High Ridge Trail forms a half-mile loop that climbs to a ridge with 360-degree overlooks. A short spur leads to Sunrise Point, one of the best quick viewpoints in the area. The climb is only about 220 feet but gives you a real alpine feel.

Road to Hurricane Ridge / 3-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary

Views from Hurricane Ridge / 3-Day Olympic National Park Itinerary

More experienced hikers can take the Klahhane Ridge Trail, which starts gently along a ridge for about 2.8 miles before meeting the steeper Klahhane Switchback Trail. The full climb takes you up to wildflower slopes and open ridgelines where you may spot marmots and eagles. Even walking the first section is worth it if you don’t want the tough climb.

The most popular trail, Hurricane Hill, is a paved 1.6-mile walk each way with about 700 feet of elevation gain. It’s the classic viewpoint for a reason—wide-open mountain views, wildflowers in early summer, and sweeping overlooks the entire hike. Even if you turn around before the top, you’ll still get beautiful scenery.

You need at least two to four hours at Hurricane Ridge, depending on how many trails you explore.

After your time on the ridge, head back down to Port Angeles for the night. Day 3 at Hurricane Ridge completes your Olympic National Park Itinerary.