Seattle-Olympic National Park 3 day itinerary

wanderer
Jun 20, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Aug 6

Seattle is surrounded by natural beauty with Mount Rainier on one side and Olympic National Park on the other.

Goes without saying that it was a tough choice to make for a 4 day action packed 1st trip to Seattle. After much deliberation (any Twilight fans around!) we decided to do a self guided city tour and then drive up to the Olympic National Park.

Day 1:

If you are flying from the Bay Area, a one and a half hour flight to Seattle will put you there around noon. And because we are adventurous people, I missed my flight! In my defense it was at 7am!

Thankfully the airline was able to accommodate me on the next flight and I got there at noon.

Perfect to start the trip with a nice brunch at, https://www.portagebaycafe.com/.

Let's start our Seattle excursion with the world famous Space Needle. No better place to be a tourist in Seattle, where you get a 360 degree view of the city with some amazing views.

Next stop is a stunning, highly recommended Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum tucked neatly next to the Space Needle.

One of the highlights of the exhibit is the Glasshouse, a large glass conservatory with a 100-foot-long glass sculpture that's suspended from the ceiling. This piece, known as the "Glasshouse Ceiling," is inspired by the colors and forms of the Pacific Northwest's natural environment.

By the time we are done with the Museum, it will be time to eat again (I know, we eat a lot!)

Next logical step is the Pike Place Market, with its many local restaurants and varied food offerings is a bliss for seafood lovers and others.

Day 2:

Start early and commence a 4 hour drive to Olympic National Park! For this Itinerary we will be taking the path from Olympia, so driving south from Seattle.

There are many beautiful stops along the way to Ruby Beach, our 1st stop. If you have more time, I would highly recommend making a stop at Olympia Historic District.

Ruby beach has a serene natural beauty and is known for its driftwood-strewn shores and rocky outcrops.

Next stop for today is one of the seven temperate rainforests in the world, The Hoh Rainforest.

It is one of the most famous and well-preserved temperate rainforests in North America. The Hoh Rainforest is known for its incredible biodiversity, moss-draped trees, and pristine natural beauty.

The Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center serves as an informative starting point for visitors.

The Hall of Mosses Trail and the Spruce Nature Trail are two popular and relatively short trails that provide an immersive rainforest experience.

Find more details and interesting information at: https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/visiting-the-hoh.htm

Our next stop for today was Lake Crescent and on our way there completely by accident we stumbled across the beautiful MaryMere Falls. Watch for signs to the Storm King Ranger Station / Marymere Falls Trailhead, which is just off US-101 on the south side of Lake Crescent.

Pro Tip:

The turn-off for the parking area is well marked as "Marymere Falls / Lake Crescent / Storm King Ranger Station" and frequently fills up by late morning.

The Hike to Marymere Falls is 1.8 miles round trip, mostly flat until the final short, steep ascent to the viewpoint. It is a family-friendly and well-marked path through old-growth forest with two wooden bridge crossings and two viewpoints of the 90-foot waterfall.

We will end day 2 in Port Angeles, tucked in the Olympic Mountains it is also considered as a gateway to the Olympic National Park.

For some locally sourced food checkout Spruce.

Day 3:

Start early and for a magical drive through the clouds to the other most famous spot in the Olympic National Park, The Hurricane Ridge.

With its unparalleled beauty and 360 degree marvelous views; this is a must stop and a bucket list worthy destination.

Time seems to stop when you are there, so make sure to have enough time to explore this natural gem.

Optional Adventure: Obstruction Point Road

If you’re up for extra adventure (and have a steady nerve!), don’t miss the side trip along the legendary Obstruction Point Road, which begins right at the Hurricane Ridge parking area. This 8-mile, high-elevation gravel road is narrow, winding, and hugs steep mountainsides with dramatic drop-offs—often considered one of Washington’s scariest drives! In summer (typically mid-July to mid-October), you can follow it east from Hurricane Ridge for jaw-dropping, remote views and access to uncrowded alpine trailheads.

If you're as fortunate as we were, you might encounter a black bear during the hike and find yourself running for your life!

Pro Tips!

Obstruction Point Road is not suitable for RVs or trailers and should be driven slowly and cautiously due to blind turns and minimal guardrails. Expect breathtaking vistas of wildflower meadows, alpine ridges, and snowy Olympic peaks along the way.
The road ends at Obstruction Point (6,100 feet), where a small parking area serves as the gateway to some of the park’s most spectacular high country hikes—including the Badger Valley/Grand Lake Loop and routes along Lillian Ridge.
Always check with park rangers or the Olympic National Park website for up-to-date road and weather conditions before making the drive.

Whether you stick with Hurricane Ridge’s classic views or tackle the wild route to Obstruction Point, you’ll experience some of the Olympics’ most dramatic and memorable scenery.

After spending a good amount of time at Hurricane Ridge, start your drive back to the hustle and bustle of Seattle. Based on the amount of time you have, you can visit the Boeing Factory or spend time at one of the most popular scenic attractions, The Snoqualmie Falls.

This addition provides compelling context and logistical details for visiting Obstruction Point from Hurricane Ridge, perfectly complementing your Olympic National Park itinerary.