Experience the Enchantment of the Olympic Peninsula's Highway 101 Loop!
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The Highway 101 loop encircles the entire Olympic Peninsula, offering an incredible journey of over 300 miles through some of the most breathtaking landscapes the Pacific Northwest has to offer. As you embark on this scenic route, you'll be treated to sweeping views of the majestic Olympic Mountains, the rugged Pacific coastline, and the lush, verdant forests that define the region. But this road trip isn't just about the views; it's a gateway to a world of outdoor adventure. From hiking and camping to kayaking and beachcombing, there are endless opportunities to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this remarkable area.
While it's technically possible to complete the Highway 101 loop in a single day, it would be a disservice to rush through this natural wonderland. The route is dotted with an array of attractions and adventures that demand your attention and time. Whichever way you plan to start your journey to the Olympic Peninsula, there are some must see places that are worth your time to check out.
Brothers Mountain.
Most people who come to visit the Olympic Peninsula start their journey from the Sea-Tac Airport and can drive either North to Seattle and take a ferry or drive South and head towards Olympia, the capital of Washington State. Whichever way you plan to go, there are some magnificent places to see on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula.
When we travel we use Google Maps on Samsung Premium Phones, you can get yours ----> HERE.
To be prepared we always carry an atlas or map. You can get yours ----> HERE.
Staircase Rapids Loop - Olympic National Park - Lake Cushman Area.
The first place that many visitors stop is Hoodsport. Hoodsport is a charming small town and is situated on the picturesque Hood Canal, a long, fjord-like inlet off the Puget Sound. Hoodsport is known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities and is also a great place to stop, stretch your legs, get a meal or a snack, all while taking in the beautiful landscape that surrounds you. Hoodsport is also the gateway to Lake Cushman and the Staircase entrance to the Olympic National Park, where you will find camping, fun activities and magnificent hikes. If you are up for a challenge we recommend hiking Mount Ellinor. This hike is 6.2 miles roundtrip and has beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains, the Cascade Mountains, Lake Cushman, and the Hood Canal. A perk of this hike is that it is pet friendly. Please note that certain areas here do require passes and that pets are not allowed in the Staircase section of the Olympic National Park. To find out more information on the Lake Cushman Area check ----> HERE.
Mount Washington from the top of Mount Ellinor.
When hiking places on the Olympic Peninsula, like Mount Ellinor, we use:
Loowoko Backpacks. You can get yours on Amazon ----> HERE.
We always carry our Hiking Poles on all of our adventures, you can get yours ----> HERE.
After you have got your Olympic Mountain Ice Cream cone from Hoodsport Coffee Company head North towards the Hamma Hamma River, where you will find the Hamma Hamma Oyster Company, which offers fresh seafood options. Do note that this restaurant is a popular place and you may need a reservation to dine in. If oysters are not your forte and you are ready for adventure, take a short fifteen minute drive to the Lena Lake Trailhead. Lena Lake is a great 7.2 mile roundtrip hike that takes place under shady tree canopies, eventually opening up to a beautiful alpine lake. The best part about this hike is that pets are allowed here, our dogs love hiking to Lena Lake, their favorite part is of course is swimming in the lake.
Champ, Rusty, and Daisy playing in Lena Lake.
If you are pet free and want more of a challenge Upper Lena Lake may be for you, it is fourteen miles roundtrip and offers a 3900 ft elevation gain and also offers camping in the backcountry of the Olympic National Park. Do note that along with a Northwest Forest Pass a Backcountry Camping Permit is required for overnight stays and must be purchased in advance. You can get your Northwest Forest Pass HERE ----> fs.usda.gov and apply for a Backcountry Camping Permit HERE ----> Recreation.gov.
When we hike with our pets we use:
If long hikes through the woods to beautiful alpine lakes is not what you are looking for, you can continue North on Highway 101 until you get to the little town of Brinnon, where you can dig for clams, camp near the Dosewallips River, walk through the beautiful Whitney Gardens, and if you are lucky you may see one of the local elk herds causing a traffic jam.
Elk of the Olympic Peninsula.
If you like waterfalls, Brinnon has two great ones for you to visit, Murhut Falls and Rocky Brook Falls. Murhut Falls is a twenty minute drive off the Highway 101 Loop, down Duckabush Road. The hike to this beautiful 153 ft waterfall is only 1.6 miles roundtrip and will give you some amazing views. Along with this beautiful waterfall, there are many more activities, like hiking and camping that you can explore down the Duckabush, this area provides nature enthusiasts with the perfect backdrop to explore the beauty of the Olympic Peninsula. The other featured waterfall in Brinnon is Rocky Brook Falls. Just a short five minute drive off Highway 101 and brisk walk to Rocky Brook Falls will give you picturesque views of a magnificent 239 ft horsetail waterfall. If you want more than just a waterfall, there are many adventures that can be had down Dosewallips Road, just note that the road is washed out and all adventures take extra time. For more information on Murhut Falls click ----> HERE and for Rocky Brook Falls click ----> HERE. For more information on the Duckabush Area click ----> HERE, and for the Dosewallips Area click ----> HERE.
Murhut Falls, Daisy at Rocky Brook Falls, and Rocky Brook Falls.
If water adventures are what you are after, a kayak excursion may be what you need. Head North and check out either Jackson Cove or Point Whitney for amazing water views full of wildlife, like Harbor Porpoises and Bald Eagles. The water here can be so clear that you can lots of sea life, like fish, eels, and starfish. For more information on kayaking in Brinnon, check out Hood Canal Adventures ----> HERE and for more information on
Point Whitney - Brinnon.
Some of the items we use when kayaking places like Point Whitney are:
After you dry off in the warm sun head North and find the entrance to Mount Walker. If it is the right time of the year you should find the gate open and you can take a short drive to some amazing views. The two lookouts at the top have various views of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Baker, Mount Rainier, Dabob Bay and the Hood Canal, and on a clear day you can even see the Space Needle in Seattle! For more information on Mount Walker click ----> HERE.
Hood Canal and Mount Rainier from Mount Walker.
As you look North from the lookout you may see the quaint little town of Port Townsend in the distance, while this town is off of the Highway 101 Loop it is a great place to find sea treasures, like sea glass and fascinating rocks. Check out Glass Beach to find some amazing treasures, but do remember that the tides play a role here, always check the tide chart before treasure seeking. For more information on on Glass Beach click ----> HERE.
Champ Exploring at Glass Beach.
Another great spot to search for sea treasures or if birdwatching is what you are after, Sequim may be the place for you. Sequim is a charming town known for its stunning natural beauty, it’s lavender farms and sunny days, they only get sixteen inches of rain a year. Sequim is where you can visit the Dungeness Spit, the longest natural sand spit in the United States, extending for five miles and is the location of the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, a great place to see shore birds. Do note that pets are not allowed at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. For more information on the Dungeness Spit Area click ----> HERE and for information on the town of Sequim click ----> HERE.
We use Merlin Bird ID to help identify bird species.
Get more information on Merlin----> HERE.
Want to use a book instead? Get your Bird Field Guide ----> HERE.
Get your Bird Watching Accessories from Amazon ----> HERE.
Another great place to see wildlife or to seek treasures like agates is Ediz Hook, which is also a sand spit, this one extending for three miles into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Ediz Hook is located in Port Angeles and is a great place to see impressive views of the Olympic Mountains, Canada’s Vancouver Island, and if you are lucky you might even see a pod of Orcas! For more information on Ediz Hook click ----> HERE.
Daisy exploring at Ediz Hook - Port Angeles.
Port Angeles is also a vibrant tourist destination and is the gateway to Hurricane Ridge. Hurricane Ridge will take you off of Highway 101 Loop, but is definitely worth it, because this area is famous for its diverse wildlife, subalpine meadows, and access to numerous hiking trails, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. Do note that Hurricane Ridge Road may be closed at any time and pets are not allowed. For the most up to date information on Hurricane Ridge click ----> Here.
When we hike places like Hurricane Ridge we make sure we have the 10 Essential Items, get some for your backpack below.
You can get your First Aid Kit on Amazon ----> HERE.
We also always carry a Water Filtration Device like Sawyer Filtration Systems. You can get yours ----> HERE.
The next must see place for most visitors traveling the Highway 101 loop is Lake Crescent. Lake Crescent is a strikingly beautiful glacial lake situated within Olympic National Park and is known for its crystal-clear, deep-blue waters and it’s popular hiking trail, Marymere Falls Trail, which winds through a lush temperate rainforest filled with ancient trees, ferns, and moss-covered rocks. Do note that pets are only allowed on the Spruce Railroad Trail in this section of the Olympic National Park. For more information on the Lake Crescent Area click ----> HERE.
Lake Crescent
If a romantic getaway is what you are after, travel off of the Highway 101 loop and head to the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. These geothermal springs offer visitors a relaxing and therapeutic experience amid the lush rainforests of the Olympic National Park. The Sol Duc Valley is not just for hot springs though, it is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a chance to immerse oneself in the beauty and serenity of the area.
For more information on the Sol Duc Valley click ----> HERE.
The next destinations on the Highway 101 loop are not actually on the loop and will take you extra hours to visit, the first being the beautiful Cape Flattery. Cape Flattery is Tribal Land managed by the Makah Tribe and is the northwesternmost point in the contiguous United States. It's here, where you can see the mighty Pacific Ocean meet the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Passes for Cape Flattery can also be used at Shi Shi Beach, a great beach for sea stacks and tidepools, but also adds extra hours to your itinerary. Currently passes cannot be purchased online, to find out where you can get your pass for Cape Flattery and Shi Shi beach go to ----> Makah.com
The second destination that will take you off of the Highway 101 Loop is Ozette Lake and the Pacific Beaches near the lake. Hiking along the coast is a highlight when visiting the area, because there are two three-mile long boardwalk trails that lead to the coast where, if you are lucky, you may see gray whales during migratory months. Do note to check the tides before exploring the beach and that pets are not allowed at Lake Ozette or the surrounding beaches. For more information on the Lake Ozette Area check ----> NPS.Org.
If Cape Flattery, Shi Shi Beach, or Ozette Lake is not in your plans, another great destination for sea stacks and tides pools is Rialto Beach's Hole in the Wall in La Push. Only a 20 minute drive from Forks off of Highway 101 will bring you to your first views of Washington’s beautiful Pacific Coast and a short 3.3 mile roundtrip hike will bring you to a beautiful beach full of wildlife, including magnificent tide pools. Do note to check the tides because they do determine whether Hole in the Wall is accessible, and as you should always be, prepare yourself with the 10 Essential Items when hiking. Camping in this location is allowed with a permit which you can get at ----> Recreation.Gov, but pets are only allowed as far as Ellen Creek, they are not allowed at Hole in the Wall. For more information on Rialto Beach and Hole in the Wall check HERE ---->NPS.Gov.
Rialto Beach
When we backpack places like Rialto Beach we use:
HikeCrew Camp Stoves. You can get yours ----> HERE.
Some areas require Bear Canisters to store your food, you can get yours ----> HERE.
If you have plenty of time we recommend visiting the Hoh Rainforest, which is a true gem of the Olympic Peninsula. Here, you'll discover an ancient, old-growth forest that seems almost otherworldly, with towering trees, pristine lakes, and winding rivers that provide a haven for wildlife. But do be prepared for a slightly longer journey when entering into the Hoh Rainforest, wait times to get into the park may vary and an entrance fee is required. Do note that pets are not allowed in the Hoh Rainforest. For more information on the Hoh Rainforest check ----> NPS.Gov and for the most up to date information on wait times and campground reservations check ----> Recreation.gov.
Hoh River - Hoh Rainforest
When camping in the Hoh Rainforest we always prepare for rain by bringing some essential items like:
Pop up canopy, you can get yours ----> HERE.
Breathable Rain Suit, get yours ----> HERE.
The next stop that most visitors make is Ruby Beach. This beach is usually on everyone who visits the Olympic Peninsula's bucket list because of it's beautiful sea stacks, wildlife, and beachcombing treasures. Ruby Beach has an easily accessible parking lot which you can see the sea stacks from, so if you're short on time it's easy to stop and get a few photos for your memories. For more information on Ruby Beach click ----> HERE.
Ruby Beach from the parking lot.
Farther down Highway 101 is another very popular destination, Kalaloch Beach and The Tree of Life. Kalaloch is a great place for adventure and a great place to camp, because pets are allowed on most of the beaches here, you can even bring your pet to the Kalaloch Lodge for an extra comfy stay. Kalaloch Campground requires a reservation which can be difficult to obtain during the summer months, so please plan accordingly. For more information on the Kalaloch Area check ----> NPS.Org, and to make reservations click HERE ----> Recreation.gov.
After the beaches of Kalaloch, Highway 101 leaves the scenic Pacific Coast heading towards Lake Quinault and the Quinault Rainforest. If you did not visit the Hoh Rainforest then you definitely need to visit the Quinault Rainforest. The Quinault Rainforest is a lush and temperate rainforest characterized by dense vegetation, towering old-growth trees, and a high level of precipitation, there is even a lake and a lodge for longer stays. This area is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, and Roosevelt elk. The Quinault Rainforest is known for its stunning natural beauty and is a popular destination for hiking and exploring the pristine wilderness. Note that pets are only allowed on the July Creek Loop Trail, but certain lodging is pet friendly. For more information on the Quinault Rainforest Area check ----> NPS.Gov and for The Lake Quinault Lodge click ----> HERE.
There are a few different places to stop next on the Highway 101 Loop, it just depends on what kind of adventure you are after. You can head off of the loop and check out the beach town of Ocean Shores. Here visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as relaxing on sandy beaches, beachcombing for seashells, flying kites, exploring the town's shops and restaurants, surfing, fishing, and taking in beautiful coastal views. It's a great destination for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Another great place is the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge in Hoquiam. This refuge is a vital habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. It encompasses diverse ecosystems, including mudflats and salt marshes, providing excellent opportunities for birdwatching, hiking, and experiencing the region's natural beauty. For more information on Ocean Shores Area check ----> HERE.
Daisy and Champ having a blast at Grayland Ocean Beaches
Searching for beach treasures can be so rewarding, get your beach combing accessories ---->HERE.
Waterproof Beach Blankets are great to have at sandy beaches, get yours ----> HERE.
Beach Totes are a must when hanging out at the beach, get yours ----> HERE.
To continue the Olympic Peninsula Highway 101 Loop you will leave Highway 101, unless you are continuing down the Pacific Coast, but if you are not the next stop that you may make, especially if you grew up in the age of Grunge Rock and Nirvana is the town of Aberdeen. Aberdeen is where Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain grew up and is also considered the Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula. For more information on where to check out the Kurt Cobain Memorial click ----> HERE.
The last stop on the Olympic Peninsula Highway 101 Loop you may want to check out, is the city of Olympia, which is the capital of the state. On a clear day, in some of the downtown waterfront areas, you can see beautiful views of the Olympic Mountain Range that you just drove around! For more information on the Olympia Area click ----> HERE.
Olympic Mountains from Olympia, WA
In conclusion, the Highway 101 Loop on the Olympic Peninsula is a road of endless discovery and natural wonder. It will intrigue you to explore all the beauty the Pacific Northwest has to offer. We recommend that you take your time and enjoy the wonders that lie ahead of you on this road trip, because your adventure awaits you on the Olympic Peninsula's Highway 101 Loop!
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Thanks For Reading, Adventure is Waiting!