# Rainforest, glacier peaks and driftwood beaches – by camper around the Olympic Peninsula

> On the US-101 loop from Olympia via Port Angeles and the Hoh Rain Forest to Lake Quinault: just under 600 kilometres between glacier peaks, moss canopies…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-051-olympic-peninsula-loop/

**At a glance:** 6-day round trip of about 612 km (380 mi) with 12 stops, starting and ending in Olympia. About 6 h 48 min of driving in total. On the US-101 loop from Olympia via Port Angeles and the Hoh Rain Forest to Lake Quinault: just under 600 kilometres between glacier peaks, moss canopies and the wild Pacific coast.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 612 km (380 mi) |
| Driving | 6 h 48 min |
| Suggested days | 6 |
| Stops | 12 |
| Route | Olympia → Olympia |
| States | WA |
| Updated | September 1, 2026 |

*On the US-101 loop from Olympia via Port Angeles and the Hoh Rain Forest to Lake Quinault: just under 600 kilometres between glacier peaks, moss canopies and the wild Pacific coast.*

## The spirit of the route

The Olympic Peninsula is a world of its own: snow-capped peaks rise in the centre, and all around grows a rainforest in which bigleaf maples and Sitka spruces vanish beneath curtains of moss. Highway 101 circles the mountains almost completely, and from the sliding door you smell wet earth, cedar wood and salt water. Near Port Angeles Hurricane Ridge gleams above the ice, at Lake Crescent the lake lies cold and clear like a fjord, and in the Hoh Rain Forest moss muffles every step. Then the coast opens up: Ruby Beach, Kalaloch, stacks of driftwood, tide pools, bald eagles. At Lake Quinault banks of mist drift through giant spruces. The route is long, rainy and demands planning, but rewards you with a wilderness that is unusually accessible by North American standards.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Olympia to Port Townsend (approx. 155 km)

- **The drive:** From Olympia take US-101 north along Hood Canal (Shelton, Brinnon), then at Discovery Bay join SR 20 and cross the Quimper Peninsula to Port Townsend. It is two lanes, 55–60 mph, with many coastal towns with shops. The Hood Canal Bridge (SR 104, a pontoon bridge) is not on this route; you only cross it if you approach via Kitsap, and it can be closed temporarily in storms or for maintenance (check status with WSDOT). Pure driving time is around 2.5 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Hood Canal: viewpoints over the fjord, and in summer clam and oyster stands along the road; observe tide and harvest regulations.
  - Port Townsend: a Victorian old town on the water, boats, small shops; Fort Worden State Park with its batteries and beach is worth half a day.
  - Dosewallips State Park on Hood Canal: hiking trails and beach, suitable for a short break.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Fort Worden State Park: a beachfront campground with sites with hookups and a tent area, showers and a dump station; check motorhome lengths before booking. Alternatively Fort Flagler State Park on Marrowstone Island with large beach sites and a quiet setting. Book through Washington State Parks (washington.goingtocamp.com), up to nine months ahead; in summer book early.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In state parks, on beaches and in car parks, overnighting in a vehicle outside campgrounds is not allowed; in the Olympic National Forest dispersed camping is possible on forest roads, but access is in places poor for motorhomes.
- **Insider tip for campers:** In Washington you need the Discover Pass for state park day visits and many state lands; day passes and annual passes are available from machines and online. If you are coming from Seattle via Kitsap, check traffic at the Hood Canal Bridge with WSDOT beforehand; US-101 via Shelton and Brinnon is the main route of this loop.

### Stage 2: Port Townsend to Port Angeles (approx. 90 km)

- **The drive:** From Port Townsend via Sequim to Port Angeles; US-101 is two lanes, with heavy traffic in summer. On the way lies Dungeness Spit, the longest natural sand spit in the USA, with a National Wildlife Refuge and lighthouse; access is via a side road. Pure driving time is about 1.5 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Dungeness Spit and New Dungeness Lighthouse: a walk along the spit (about 5 miles one way to the lighthouse), seabirds and seals; check the tide table.
  - Hurricane Ridge: a panorama of the Olympic Mountains, hiking trails and, in summer, marmots; the road is paved but steep and winding and can be closed because of weather; check road status on nps.gov beforehand. Obstruction Point Road and Hurricane Hill Road are not suitable for motorhomes and trailers.
  - Port Angeles waterfront: ferries to Victoria (Canada), a harbour promenade, shops and restaurants.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Heart O’ the Hills Campground (NPS): forest, no electricity, no showers and no dump station, drinking water; vehicles mostly up to about 21 ft, a few sites up to 35 ft; according to the NPS no reservations (first come, first served), so check status before you go. Alternatively Salt Creek Recreation Area (Clallam County) west of Port Angeles, with beach, coastal forest and hiking trails, some sites with hookups; check vehicle lengths. Dungeness Recreation Area (Clallam County) on the edge of the Wildlife Refuge has forest sites.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Olympic National Park, overnighting in a vehicle outside designated campgrounds is not allowed. In the Olympic National Forest, simple forest-road campgrounds and dispersed camping are in places possible; check trail conditions, bear rules and fire bans with the Forest Service.
- **Insider tip for campers:** According to reports so far, the 100 USD surcharge for visitors without US residence, in force since 2026, applies only to eleven especially heavily visited parks, and Olympic is not among them; check current entry rules on nps.gov. Drive up to Hurricane Ridge early in the day; car parks and road access are restricted in fog and wind.

### Stage 3: Port Angeles to Forks (approx. 130 km)

- **The drive:** From Port Angeles take US-101 along Lake Crescent, winding along the shore with a narrow shoulder and pullouts; speed 35–55 mph. After that it heads west through forest and river valleys, crosses the Sol Duc Valley at Sappho and continues to Forks, the town in the woods. Pure driving time is about 2.5 hours; with stops, a full day.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Lake Crescent: the Spruce Railroad Trail on the north shore, Marymere Falls at the Storm King Visitor Center, clear water; car parks are scarce in summer.
  - Sol Duc Falls: a walk through moss jungle to a waterfall in three parts; access via Sol Duc Road.
  - Forks and La Push: Rialto Beach with driftwood and Hole-in-the-Wall, bald eagles and seals; access to La Push is via side roads.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Fairholme Campground (NPS) at the western end of Lake Crescent: sites by the lake, no electricity, drinking water, dump station for a fee; vehicles mostly up to 21 ft, a few sites up to 35 ft, and in peak season reservations are required. Sol Duc Hot Springs Campground (NPS) in the forest: sites without hookups, and the resort’s RV park has 17 sites with hookups (26–36 ft, back-in only); reservations required. Mora Campground (NPS) near Rialto Beach: simple sites close to the coast, drinking water, dump station for a fee. Reserve through Recreation.gov; check season and closures before you go.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Not allowed in Olympic National Park; in the Olympic National Forest and on Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) land, forest-road campgrounds are in places possible. Note the Discover Pass for DNR land; access for motorhomes is often poor.
- **Insider tip for campers:** At Lake Crescent and on the coast, check weather reports and road conditions: heavy rain and landslides have temporarily closed US-101 several times in recent years. Fill up and restock supplies in Forks; between Forks and Kalaloch there are only small shops.

### Stage 4: Forks to Kalaloch (approx. 120 km)

- **The drive:** From Forks first head south, then take Hoh Rain Forest Road 18 miles into the Hoh Valley (a dead end, two lanes, many motorhomes in summer), return to the 101 and continue south to the coast. Beyond the Hoh River the road opens out to the sea, followed by Ruby Beach and Beach accesses 1–6. Pure driving time is about 2.5 hours; with stops, a full day.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Hoh Rain Forest: the Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature Trail, curtains of moss, Roosevelt elk and rainforest lichens; the car park fills early in summer, so arriving early pays off.
  - Ruby Beach: sea stacks, driftwood, tide pools; the steps lead from the car park to the beach, and at high tide the beach becomes narrow.
  - Kalaloch Beach and the Tree of Life: a root tree above a cove, with tide pools at low tide; access via Beach 4 (watch the tide times).
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Hoh Campground (NPS) at the entrance to the rainforest: sites by the river, no electricity, drinking water, no dump station; reservations required in summer, vehicles mostly up to 21 ft, a few up to 35 ft. Kalaloch Campground (NPS) on the coast: sites on the cliff edge with sea views, no electricity, drinking water and dump station available; in peak season reservations through Recreation.gov are required. Mora Campground near Rialto Beach is an alternative in the north.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Olympic National Park, overnighting in a vehicle outside campgrounds is prohibited; the coastal car parks have a no-overnight-parking rule. In the Olympic National Forest and on DNR land there are forest roads that are unsuitable for campers.
- **Insider tip for campers:** There is no mobile reception and no filling station in the Hoh Rain Forest; fill up before you enter. On beach walks check the tide table, as driftwood can become dangerous at high tide. Highway 101 at Kalaloch is affected by coastal erosion; check status with WSDOT before you set off.

### Stage 5: Kalaloch to Aberdeen (approx. 150 km)

- **The drive:** South of Kalaloch, US-101 follows the coast through the Quinault Indian Reservation and coastal forest, then around Lake Quinault (loop on the South Shore Road), and then through forest country to Aberdeen. The road is mostly two lanes, often damp in the forest, 45–55 mph. Pure driving time is about 2.5–3 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Lake Quinault Loop and the Quinault Rain Forest: a drive around the lake, hiking trails (for example the Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail) and the rainforest with giant spruces and cedars; car parks are limited in summer.
  - Maple Glade Rain Forest Trail: a short circular walk through maple forest with moss; lovely even in rain.
  - Aberdeen and Hoquiam: harbour towns with museums and fishing; in Aberdeen, the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Falls Creek Campground (USFS) on the south shore of Lake Quinault: sites by the water, no showers, drinking water, vehicle length limited; reserve through Recreation.gov. Willaby Campground (USFS) by the lake with sites for motorhomes. Alternatively Grayland Beach State Park on the coast (beach, sites with hookups, dump station) or Twin Harbors State Park near Westport.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the Olympic National Forest, simple forest-road campgrounds and dispersed camping are in places possible; in rain, forest roads are muddy and unsuitable for large campers. Check conditions and fire bans with the Forest Service before you go.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Lake Quinault has a lodge with a restaurant, but motorhome parking is scarce; check campground reservations and vehicle lengths. Fill up and shop in Aberdeen, which has supermarkets, filling stations and workshops.

### Stage 6: Aberdeen to Olympia (approx. 80 km)

- **The drive:** From Aberdeen take US-12 east via Montesano and Elma back to Olympia. A well-built road, 55–60 mph, with traffic in the towns. Pure driving time is about an hour.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Capitol State Forest near Olympia: forest hiking trails and forest roads, a short detour before returning.
  - Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia: sandstone buildings, the dome, parkland; check opening times for visits.
  - Olympia Farmers Market: regional produce, open at weekends; parking for motorhomes is limited.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Millersylvania State Park near Olympia: a forest and lake campground with sites with hookups, showers and a dump station; reserve through Washington State Parks. Alternatively Kitsap Memorial State Park (Hood Canal) or sites in the Capitol State Forest (simple, forest roads).
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Olympia and the surrounding area, overnighting in a vehicle outside campgrounds is prohibited; the city patrols car parks. Dispersed camping is available in the Capitol State Forest, but only with a Discover Pass and hard to reach in bad weather.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Before returning the vehicle, empty fresh water and waste water at a dump station; in Olympia there are dump stations at RV parks and filling stations. If you are continuing to Seattle-Tacoma airport, allow a buffer for traffic on the I-5.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Overnighting in a vehicle outside designated campgrounds is not allowed in Olympic National Park; on beaches, at viewpoints and in car parks in Washington too, a no-overnight-parking rule mostly applies. Enforcement is by rangers, sheriffs and city police.
- Dispersed camping is legal on much of the Olympic National Forest and Washington DNR land (a Discover Pass is needed for DNR land), mostly for up to 14 days in one place; many access roads are unsuitable for large campers. Check wildfire and fire bans beforehand.
- Rest areas and supermarket car parks sometimes allow overnighting only briefly; if in doubt, ask in the shop. Walmart stores do not allow it everywhere.
- Wildlife: bears, cougars and elk occur here; keep food in the vehicle or in the bear-proof containers at night, and keep rubbish closed. Keep at least 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves and 25 yards (23 m) from elk and other animals; feeding is prohibited.
- Useful apps and sites: iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt, Recreation.gov (NPS and Forest Service sites), Washington State Parks (washington.goingtocamp.com) and WSDOT (road conditions and ferries).
- If you cannot get a site, you have three options: private RV parks (Sequim, Port Angeles, Forks, Aberdeen, Olympia), short-notice sites on the parks’ websites and individual nights in towns with hotels.
- If you are checked, stay friendly, leave the car park and do not argue. Fines on rental motorhomes are usually passed on.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Dump stations are found in many state parks (Fort Worden, Millersylvania, Grayland Beach, Twin Harbors) and at RV parks or filling stations for a fee; in Olympic National Park, Fairholme, Mora and Kalaloch have a dump station (for a fee), Hoh and Heart O’ the Hills do not; sanidumps.com lists locations.
- Tap water in Washington is drinkable; you will find water stations in state parks and NPS campgrounds. Always filter or boil water from streams and rivers.
- Never drain grey water onto the ground or into streams; empty chemical toilets only at dump stations.
- Propane is available from filling stations, DIY stores and propane dealers in Port Angeles, Forks, Aberdeen and Olympia. European gas bottles need an adapter; rental motorhomes have fixed US tanks.
- Fuel: there are several filling stations in Port Angeles, Forks, Aberdeen and Olympia; along the coast and in the Hoh and Quinault areas only a few. Fill up before the Hoh Rain Forest and before Kalaloch.
- Shopping: supermarkets in Olympia, Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks and Aberdeen; in the Hoh and Quinault areas only small shops with higher prices.
- Electricity: sites with hookups offer 30 and 50 A at 120 V; NPS campgrounds mostly have no electricity. Generators are allowed in state parks and NPS campgrounds only at set times.
- Laundry and waste: coin laundries in Port Angeles, Forks, Aberdeen and Olympia; bins at all campgrounds, often bear-proofed.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits in mph: on US-101 the limit is mostly 55 mph, 25–35 mph in towns and in places 45 in forest sections; there is no general special limit for motorhomes and vehicles with trailers, but drive more slowly on winding sections. In Washington, slow vehicles must use pullouts when several vehicles are following.
- Tolls and fees: no toll on US-101; the Hood Canal Bridge is toll-free. Ferries (for example Port Angeles–Victoria) are charged, and reservations for vehicles are recommended. Entry to Olympic National Park: check current amounts on nps.gov; the America the Beautiful Pass is valid for NPS land.
- Parks and entry fees: campground prices in 2026 are roughly in the range of 25–60 USD per night depending on site type and season; sites with hookups cost more. For Washington State Parks and DNR land, note the Discover Pass.
- Dimensions and lengths: many sites are limited to 30–40 ft; on NPS campgrounds mostly only up to 21 ft, a few sites up to 35 ft. The legal maximum height is 14 ft (4.27 m). Watch height restrictions in small car parks and multi-storey car parks.
- Reservations: Washington State Parks up to nine months ahead, NPS and Forest Service sites through Recreation.gov, mostly six months ahead. Flexible dates pay off because sites often become free at short notice.
- Weather and season: the coast is damp all year round; summer is mostly 15–22 °C, and in the rainforest it often rains even in July. Autumn and winter bring storms, high water and in places closures. The best time to travel is July to September.
- Traffic law for travellers: a right turn on red is allowed after a complete stop unless a sign forbids it; at junctions with stop signs, the order of arrival applies. Phones at the wheel only hands-free, and open alcohol containers in the vehicle are prohibited. A German driving licence is sufficient for tourists.
- Campsite rules: many sites limit the length of stay (often 14 nights), quiet hours are usually 10 pm to 6 am, and fires are allowed only in the fire rings. When booking, pay attention to vehicle and trailer length.
- Emergency: 911; mobile reception often drops out in the Hoh, Quinault and coastal areas. Never underestimate tides, driftwood and weather; carry bear spray and a water filter, and never hike in the rainforest without a map.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Rain jacket, rain trousers and waterproof shoes – in the rainforest and on the coast it often rains even in summer.
- Levelling ramps level 2–3 – NPS and Forest Service sites are often slightly sloping and soft in the rain.
- A tide app or table for beach walks, Ruby Beach, the Tree of Life and Beach 4.
- Binoculars for elk, bald eagles, seals and seabirds; bear spray and bear-proof containers for food.
- Offline maps and printed reservations – there is often no reception in the Hoh and Quinault areas.
- Drying and ventilation aids (towels, dehumidifier, shoe dryer) against damp in the vehicle.

_As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Olympia** (WA)
2. **Port Townsend** (WA)
3. **Port Angeles** (WA)
4. **Hurricane Ridge** (Port Angeles, WA): A ridge at 5,200 feet facing the glaciers of Mount Olympus, 17 miles up from Port Angeles. The day lodge burned in 2023, so bring food; check road hours, as winter access is limited.
5. **Lake Crescent** (WA)
6. **Forks** (WA)
7. **Hoh Rain Forest** (Forks, WA): Moss-draped maples and 12 feet of rain a year. The Hall of Mosses loop in Olympic National Park takes under an hour.
8. **Ruby Beach** (Kalaloch, WA): A beach of sea stacks, driftwood and reddish sand on the Olympic coast, a short walk down from a pull-out on US-101. Sunset is the favourite time; the lot is small and fills in summer.
9. **Kalaloch** (WA)
10. **Quinault** (WA)
11. **Aberdeen** (WA)
12. **Olympia** (WA)

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Rainforest, glacier peaks and driftwood beaches – by camper around the Olympic Peninsula?**
6-day round trip of about 612 km (380 mi) with 12 stops, starting and ending in Olympia. About 6 h 48 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Rainforest, glacier peaks and driftwood beaches – by camper around the Olympic Peninsula?**
We suggest 6 days: about 6 h 48 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Rainforest, glacier peaks and driftwood beaches – by camper around the Olympic Peninsula start and end?**
It is a round trip that starts and ends in Olympia.

**Which states does Rainforest, glacier peaks and driftwood beaches – by camper around the Olympic Peninsula pass through?**
Washington.

**Where can you camp along Rainforest, glacier peaks and driftwood beaches – by camper around the Olympic Peninsula?**
OpenStreetMap lists 159 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: American Heritage Campground, Camano Island State Park Campground and Sequim Bay State Park Campground.

**When is the best time for Rainforest, glacier peaks and driftwood beaches – by camper around the Olympic Peninsula?**
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)