Jul 18, 2018 close out your olympic peninsula loop with a drive back down interstate5, through everett, and into seattle. Olympic peninsula loop drive closed washington alltrails. To plan your stay in this gorgeously laidback city, read our 12 incredible things to do in seattle. Take an rv trip around the olympic peninsula in washington state. Check out the olympic culinary loop map and plot your course. To get a good taste of the olympic peninsula we recommend taking at least 6 days to complete the loop however you could take an abbreviated, somewhat rushed trip in 3 days. The loop stretches more than 450 miles over four counties and connects you with the tastiest farm and seatotable fare imaginable. Home pacific coast washington neah bay and cape flattery. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Americas 10 best coastal drives you should take at least once.
This past saturday, berty and i decided to take a oneday road trip and drive the olympic peninsula loop. Olympic peninsula loop road trip from seattle my olympic park. Beautiful drive between sites at olympic np you cant drive through the park, you actually have to drive to one of the entrances, do what you want in that section, then drive out to the loop road to get to the next section. Jul 05, 2015 the loop drive stu and i did over independence day weekend.
To do justice to the complete loop drive in olympic national park, you need. Jun 21, 20 you will also get glimpses of bald eagles, cougars and perhaps a black bear if you keep a sharp eye. If your schedule allows, you could head north on us101 for port angeles and the olympic peninsula loop. Enter the loop highway, 101, at its junction with 104, then follow it for 330 miles 531 kilometers around the peninsula counterclockwise via. We quickly found out we could do the loop and still stop and get a few good hikes in during a day trip. The 10 closest hotels to olympic peninsula loop drive. Olympic peninsula loop drive olympic national park 2020 all. The olympics and their peninsula of 3,600 square miles are still. A winter weekend on the olympic peninsula northwest travel. Sep 24, 2015 the olympic peninsula loop is a scenic drive around western washington state. Many of us are aware of the unique climate and beauty of the olympic peninsula. The olympic peninsula, washington national geographic.
Photos to inspire you to travel to ruby beach in washington state. You can get to the peninsula by either driving around the southern end of puget sound or taking a ferry across the sound from seattle. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Seattle, vancouver, victoria, the olympic peninsula. Drive the olympic peninsula loop amazing destinations. The peninsula contains lush temperate rain forests, miles of rugged coast, crystal clear wild rivers and a massive snow covered mountain range in its center. Lake cushman, a 4,000acre reservoir with picnic areas and a. Youll start and end in olympia, washington, and make a complete loop around the olympic national park and olympic national forest. Trust me, youll find there are more great things to do on the olympic peninsula than youll ever have time for on a 3day road trip. Pike place market, great coffee, an epic musical heritage need we say more. Though it looks like a great drive on the map, hwy112 is a narrow and winding road with some surprisingly steep hills and thick woods that block much of the view, all of which. Aside from jawdropping beauty at every turn, what makes. From the quinault rain forest, drive 2 and a half hours back to the escape campervans depot near seattle to complete the loop. Either take the bainbridge ferry, cutting off an hour or so of travel time, or drive south through tacoma.
The olympic peninsula is the large arm of land in western washington that lies across puget sound from seattle, and contains olympic national park. Olympic peninsula road trip best stops on a 3 day driving. National park coastal beaches southwest washington romano, craig on. Using our world travel planner, olympic national park attractions like olympic peninsula loop drive can form part of a personalized travel itinerary. The olympic peninsula, right outside of seattle, is home to olympic national park, endless beaches, mossy woodlands, lush waterfalls, and sweeping cliff views. Olympic peninsula loop drive covers more than 300 miles and offers a multitude of experiences. While its possible to ride the loop in a day, its best to devote a full weekend to the trip. Stop on the way at the olympic national park visitor center, the parks.
The book starts with the topics that pertain to the whole peninsula, in part i, the big picture. It is a 31mile loop and an opportunity for a terrific drive you should not pass up. Jan 24, 2019 the olympic peninsula is home to some great hot springs, including the sol duc hot springs and the olympic hot springs. The olympic peninsula loop before actually getting onto route 101, i decided to take a detour to port townsend about a 20minute drive which a friend had recommended. Lake quinault activities rain forest loop drive quinault rain forest loop drive. On the east of the olympic peninsula youll find hood canal, the variety of outdoor fun almost endless. Cape alava, the westernmost point in the contiguous united states, and cape flattery, the northwesternmost point, are on the peninsula. Re book your lodging and hotel reservations once we get the aokay to vacation again. Welcome to the olympic discovery trail the pathway to the. We drove most of the 400mile length of the olympic peninsula loop drive during our day trip out of seattle. Take a scenic drive from the swan hotel to the olympic national park and forest. Sep 16, 2019 from seattle, you have two choices to get to the olympic peninsula.
Discover the best olympic peninsula washington travel books in best sellers. The quinault rain forest loop drive is a 31 mile loop around lake quinault, up the quinault river into the olympic national park, and back around the other side. Once over the bridge i was on highway 104, staying on there for about 20 minutes until i reached the junction for route 101 and the olympic peninsula loop. From port angeles, drive west on highway 101 for 32 miles. There were so many other great sites as well that we couldnt stop at. Your complete olympic peninsula road trip guide in washington state. Follow the olympic culinary loop to the finest flavors the olympic peninsula has to offer.
From the tip of cape flattery, to deep within the hoh rainforest, to the small towns along the way, youll feel like youre in an exotic land as you loop around the peninsula. A dontmiss drive up to 5242 feet for views of mountains and, on a clear day. And while youre touring and tasting, check out other places on the olympic peninsula to explore and stay along the way. The olympic peninsula loop is a scenic drive around western washington state.
The ultimate 3day olympic peninsula road trip guide valerie. Youll find a wealth of outdoor activities on land and in the water, from shell fishing to trail running. Best sellers in olympic peninsula washington travel books. Olympic peninsula loop drive olympic national park 2020. But, not so many are aware that this area has served as the setting for a number of very good books, some of which have hit the new york times best seller list, and all of which are. Once you reach the junction for highway 101, if you wish to take a detour to port townsend at this point, take a quick right onto highway 20.
This scenic drive in western washington explores the diverse ecosystems of the olympic peninsula. It is a great way to experience the quinault valley. Autumn drives the olympic peninsula loop jaguar seattle. If you keep driving along highway 104 for around 20 minutes, you will reach a junction to enter route 101 and the olympic peninsula loop. Cape flattery in washington near olympic national park. Sep 14, 2010 get stopbystop directions for a driving tour of the olympic peninsula, washington from national geographics ultimate road trips. Get ready to explore rainforests and incredible sights on this drive. Trek the wine trail on your own, or book a tour and leave the navigating to the experts. Town and road map of olympic peninsula, washington state. Olympic peninsula loop washington scenic drives on. To those who arent familiar with washington state, the olympic loop is a scenic highway that circles the entire perimeter of the olympic. Olympic peninsula loop drive, olympic national park. National park coastal beaches southwest washington.
Cideries olympic peninsula farms are making a splash turning their bounty into some of the most delicious ciders in washington state. Bookstore best selection of books on the northwest. In olympic national park, ancient rainforests and ocean tidal pools at lower elevations contrast with wildflowerfilled alpine meadows and snowcapped peaks. Then in part ii, olympic milestone loop, the book drills down to the finer details of specific locations in the milestone chapters, which guide you on a circumnavigation of the peninsula. The holiday season on the olympic peninsula is a magical time of year to visit. The olympic peninsula loop is an unbelievable adventure. Despite the plethora of snowcapped peaks youll see as you drive through the pacific northwest, mt. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. The highlights of this olympic peninsula road trip include the hoh.
The parks 373,120 hectares 922,000 acres include numerous hiking trails that stretch from moist, mossy, and leafy valleys up to jagged. Book a room or a cabin at the charming lake crescent lodge to experience all of the lakes many angles. Along the way, visit any of nearly a dozen seasonally fresh and fun farmers markets, lush forests, dramatic coastline and ocean beaches. Olympic peninsula in washington state there may not be another drive in washington that so aptly captures all this state offers in a single journey. The loop mainly follows us101 most of the way but there are numerous diversions that you will not want to miss. Jan 22, 2020 a tiny burb along the shore of hood canal, hoodsport is the place to fuel up and grab a bite to eat before heading to olympic national parks staircase area. Starting in seattle, this loop drive takes in puget sound, the olympic mountains, and the wild washington coast. Look for milepost 216 about 5 miles past the turnoff to the fairholm campground, and turn right on forest road 3071. But, not so many are aware that this area has served as the setting for a number of very good books, some of which have hit the new york times best seller list, and all of which are rich with references to local landmarks and lore.
Get stopbystop directions for a driving tour of the olympic peninsula, washington from national geographics ultimate road trips. A winter weekend on the olympic peninsula northwest. Movies books music theater classical music tvstreaming comics. One of the best parts about the olympic peninsula is that you dont need to stray far from its main thoroughfare, highway 101, to experience a good number of area highlights. Highway 101 travels around the perimeter of the peninsula and olympic national park, making it possible to see the best the area has to offer in a limited amount of time. Choose from a crowdless beach hike, a seaside bike ride along the olympic discovery trail, or a wintry escape up 5,000feet to olympic national parks hurricane ridge for a day of snow play like sledding, skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. The full loop clocks in at 329 miles and it goes around the entirety of the area plunging you into valleys, hauling you up mountainous terrain, and even giving you a great view of puget sound.
Your complete washington state olympic peninsula road trip. Washington state the cascade loop in washington state although this itinerary doesnt take in the san juan islands, mount rainier, or olympic national park, it visits some of the most beautiful places in western washington. From there, drive north to bellingham by way of scenic chuckanut. Quinault rain forest loop drive lake quinault washington.
For those taking their views and exploration in by road have a great option in the olympic peninsula loop drive. Olympic peninsula loop road trip from seattle my olympic. Hotels near olympic peninsula loop drive, olympic national park on tripadvisor. The ferry is the faster, and more exciting route, but it does cost.
Head to the driftwoodstrewn beach where jacob spilled the beans about edward and his unconventional family. If you dont have time to see the entire olympic peninsula, try to at least visit the quinault rain forest and beaches near kalaloch. Your complete washington state olympic peninsula road trip guide. Forks is now infamous as the setting for the popular twilight book series, and you will find many related activities and tours. Click here to download author craig romanos favorite hike from the book. Spend a day in olympic national park, named a unesco world heritage site due to the widelyvaried ecosystems within its borders. Even if the majestic olympic mountains remained hidden above lowlying clouds during your tour, know that their presence on the peninsula created the lush rainforest ecosystem you just visited. If you have not had the opportunity to explore it, i highly recommend you plan a trip. From lake quinault, its around a 3hour drive south and then east back to seattle, completing the olympic peninsula loop. West of here and other olympic peninsula books olympic. Olympic peninsula loop drive is located in olympic national park.
Find out about all there is to explore on the olympic peninsula, and learn more about what youll see when you drive the loop. The stunning olympic peninsula loop drive covers more than 300 miles and offers a multitude of experiences, from worldrenowned shellfish and awardwinning craft beverages, to wildlife, rainforest and waterfalls, to a tour that will sate your thirst for all things twilight. Forks is now infamous as the setting for the popular twilight book series. Olympic peninsula in washington highway 101, which loops around washingtons olympic peninsula a designated area of land which also comprises olympic national park, is a bit of a showoff. Olympic national park staircase area and hood canal. A drive around washingtons olympic peninsula is the greenest road trip in the west.
Olympic peninsula loop drive olympic national park. The olympic peninsula is home to some great hot springs, including the sol duc hot springs and the olympic hot springs. Close out your olympic peninsula loop with a drive back down interstate5, through everett, and into seattle. Driving to cape flattery on the olympic peninsula road. Whether youre spending a weekend or a week on the peninsula, youll have plenty to explore. The drive continues on us101 through dense forest, before arriving in forks, the heart of the olympic peninsula and the rainiest town in the contiguous united states.
Of course you cant do everything in the book but it gives you more than enough information to help you determine how you should spend your time. Olympic loop washington motorcycle rides and motorcycle roads. Olympic peninsula loop drive olympic national park all. Not knowing the area, id hate to drive two hours to a hike just to find its. Boasting scenic lakes, icecapped mountains, glaciers, rugged coastlines, and a temperate rainforest, the park is popular with outdoor enthusiasts and scientists alike. Mount baker, mountain loop highway, san juan islands. Holiday events on the olympic peninsula visit port. The ultimate 3day olympic peninsula road trip guide. Starting in the victorian seaport of port townsend, and ending on the shores of the pacific ocean. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. Perfect to take out any tension from a day of driving. We drove most of the 400mile length of the olympic peninsula loop drive during our day trip out. From seattle, you have two choices to get to the olympic peninsula.
The loop drive stu and i did over independence day weekend. Going down from olympia to hoquiam, up to ruby beach and crescent lake, to port angeles and sequim and port townsend, and back home. West of here and other olympic peninsula books olympic rain. This road is signed for the mount mullerlittleton loop. Moon olympic peninsula, 2nd edition moon handbooks by jeff burlingame. In 7 miles from where the wa19 joins the wa20, the wa20 ends at the us101, head left to follow the hood canal. Read more about the complete guide to ruby beach on the olympic. I consider myself lucky to have found this book to help me plan my trip. Drive the olympic peninsula loop best of americantowns delivers the most interesting and unique places in america right to your fingertips. The olympic peninsula is washington states premier destination for nonmotorized touring. Grab a coffee on the way to the park and some local olympic mountain ice cream on the way back out at hoodsport coffee co. The complete guide to ruby beach on the olympic peninsula.
This scenic drive makes a complete loop around olympic national park in washington. Rainier is the only mountain in the area taller than 14,000 feet. Outstanding olympic peninsula loop drive this is a must do when going to and from the various places within olympic national park. To fully enjoy the drive, youll want to take a few days to be able to stop and spend time in each area. Immerse yourself in the fictional sites made famous by the books, like bellas house and the high school where the sparks first flew. We recommend getting a guide book for the pacificnorthwest to make the most. Written by a washington native and author, this guide book details touring small towns, exploring the coast and hiking through the rain forests of olympic np. We only had one day in olympic national park and we afraid we would not be able to do the loop drive and see everything we wanted. Visit olympic peninsula loop drive on your trip to olympic. There are lots of lodging and dining options along the way take time while driving the loop to indulge in olympic coast cuisine. The olympic peninsula is an easy drive from portland. From port townsend, you can board the ferry and head to whidbey island, but for this drive, we are heading west on wa20. We stopped at several locations to see the sites at hurricane ridge, sol duc falls, and ruby beach.
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