Epic 3 Days in Olympic National Park Itinerary
Planning a trip for 3 days in Olympic National Park? The park is HUGE, with mountains, rainforest, and coastline – where do you even begin, especially with kids in tow? Our family of six (that’s me, my husband, and our four kiddos) spent three incredible days exploring Olympic National Park, and it was an absolute blast.
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Before we went, I was searching the internet for itineraries and tips, and I found plenty that I had to sort through. So here I’ll share our experience and a 3 day Olympic National Park itinerary to make it easy for you to pack and go.
While this itinerary is great for anyone to get a taste of the park, it is especially kid-friendly. None of the trails or activities are too tough for little ones.
This 3 day itinerary for Olympic National Park for families includes beautiful stops of rainforest, mountain, and ocean experiences, with kid-friendly hikes and waterfall visits that are short and easy.
I assume you’re entering from the north/east side of the park (near Port Angeles) because this is the most popular entrance, and it’s where we stayed and entered from. So this begins in that northeast side and works its way down.
Use this for your next 3 days or even long weekend in Olympic National Park.
🤩 Make it even easier with a day tour of the park (with lunch and a ferry ride from Seattle)
Table of Contents
Map of the Stops on your 3 Days in Olympic National Park
Day 1 Olympic National Park Itinerary: Hurricane Ridge, Madison Falls, Marymere Falls, Lake Crescent
Morning at Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane Ridge is a beautiful, grand site for visitors of the park. It’s unlink the other parts of the park I’ll take you through on this Olympic National Park itinerary, so make sure not to skip it.
You’ll enter the road to Hurricane Ridge in Port Angeles on Hurricane Ridge Road. You can look for the Olympic National Park Visitor Center first, which is a cool stop for the kids and right about where Mt Angeles and Hurricane Ridge Roads meet.
The journey up Hurricane Ridge Road is 17 miles to the top. It’s filled with views, as well as a few gentle twists and turns.
Spend the morning taking in the views and hiking around the top.
Note that a fire burned down the building at the top with a gift shop and visitor center, but temporary facilities are present for any bathroom stops.
We spent a while hiking around the trails at the top. There’s a .4 mile trail (Big Meadow Loop) and a .8 mile trail (Cirque Rim Trail), giving you a few options that are nice and easy.
Pro Tip: Head up early (or later in the day) as this is a popular spot in summer. If the parking is full at the top, you’ll be waiting in line for a spot!
At this point, grab some lunch or eat a packed picnic!
Madison Falls
Enter at Elwha
.2 mile hike r/t
Madison Falls isn’t too far down highway 101 from Port Angeles. Turn onto Olympic Hot Springs Road and stay until you come to the parking for Madison Creek Falls.
I’ve specifically included Madison Falls as I feel it sometimes gets skipped. It’s not through the main entrance, but it’s also not far off the main road into the park. It’s the perfect stop between Hurricane Ridge and the popular part of the park.
The reward here is big compared to the short, easy walk it takes to get to the falls. This is a stroller-friendly trail right up to the falls viewing point.
As you drive in, you’ll get scenic views of the Elwha River! We went in fall when the colors were bright and the fog was low, giving a completely picturesque scene.
Marymere Falls
1.5 mile roundtrip hike
Marymere Falls is a more popular waterfall hike in Olympic, but it’s worth any crowds you might encounter.
The trail to the falls is easy and wide, making plenty of room for everyone.
There are some easy stairs, so it’s not stroller-friendly, but a young kid could definitely make the trek or you could put baby in a comfy hiking carrier.
Our kids loved the easy hike to the waterfall, but they also loved where the ground met the lake, giving them a relaxing place to hang out.
Lake Crescent
Using whatever time you have left in the day, take time to either relax or play at Lake Crescent.
If you’d like to plunge a bit, there’s a swim area. Keep in mind this is a glacial lake, so it’s a bit chilly! It’s great to just dip your feet in and splash a bit.
You can also rent kayaks, canoes, or paddle boards and spend some time on the lake (rentals available seasonally, typically late May to end of October).
When you’re done playing, you’ll have finished your first of 3 days in Olympic National Park.
Ending at Lake Crescent is perfect because you can go on over to Granny’s Cafe for dinner, just a couple miles east. They serve up soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and ice cream. The perfect way to end the day! (Note: Granny’s Cafe is seasonal!)
🤩 Lake Crescent Lodge is the perfect place to spend the night right at the lake!
Day 2 of 3 Day Olympic National Park Itinerary: Sol Duc Falls, Sol Duc Hot Springs, Hoh Rainforest, Ruby Beach
***Get an early start today! The drive time for the 3rd stop is quite far, but worth it.
If you do not want to start early, then skip the hot springs
Morning at Sol Duc: Sol Duc Falls
Enter at Sol Duc
Hike 1.6 miles roundtrip
Start day 2 of your 3 days in Olympic National Park with a refreshing hike to Sol Duc Falls.
Sol Duc Falls is a popular hike that’s filled with beauty. You’ll get not only the lush, green forest you’ll come to know and love, but a bonus peaceful cascade along the trail that’s worth stopping at.
This easy waterfall hike is less than a mile to get to, making it great for families. And the end view is incredible.
Sol Duc Hot Springs
(Skip this if you don’t have time to make the next drive- 2 hours away)
Did you take the plunge in Lake Crescent the night before? You’ve felt chilly waters. Now it’s time to warm up!
Sol Duc Hot Springs is along the same road as to Sol Duc Falls. It’s a whole resort with cabins you can stay at, and beyond the walls is a nice hot spring area.
You’ll have to pay to enter, but after that you can soak in the smaller warm pools. If it gets too warm, there’s a larger pool area to swim in that isn’t quite as warm. (We went in October and the pool was chilly!)
When you’re finished for the morning, rinse and dry off.
Grab some lunch at the restaurant (on-site) before heading out.
🤩 Find All The Best Things to do in Olympic National Park with Kids!
Hoh Rainforest
Hike is the Hall of Mosses trail- 1.1 mile loop
**It takes 1 hour 40 minutes to get here from the Sol Duc Hot Springs. So, if you don’t have time, skip the hot springs and get here in the morning!**
Hoh Rainforest is about the most popular thing to see at Olympic National Park, so I had to make sure to get it in. This mossy covered forest is postcard-worthy, and kid-friendly!
The hike itself isn’t very long, but the drive in takes some time. So heading here after lunch is a great time to have some daylight as you go on these deep forest roads.
From Highway 101 (heading south), you’ll turn left/inland onto Upper Hoh Road. You’ll take this all the way to the end where you’ll find both the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center and the start of the Hoh Rainforest Trail.
Ruby Beach
Hike 1 mile r/t
Ruby Beach is arguably the most beautiful beach at Olympic National Park. It’s definitely the most popular one.
Ruby Beach is located right along highway 101, making for easy access as you head south along the coast. You’ll pass through the town of Forks (a great place to spend the night this time to cut down on driving).
Ruby Beach is covered in smooth, round rocks. There are also large stacks in the water, giving it a classic pacific northwest feel. It’s truly beautiful.
My kids especially liked standing on shore behind some of the rock formations ahead and seeing if the splash from the waves would reach them (and it did).
The hike down to Ruby Beach is fairly easy, making it a great stop for families.
Stay in Forks or
Drive South for a shorter drive in the morning and
Stay at Quinault Lake Lodge
Day 3 of 3 Day Olympic National Park Itinerary: Quinault Rainforest, Kestner Homestead, Lake Quinault
Morning: Trails! Quinault Rainforest Trail
Hike just under a 1 mile loop
The Lake Quinault area of Olympic is just as beautiful as the rest and not to be missed.
Start the morning with a hike on the Quinault Rainforest Trail. This shorter hike is also great for families or anyone looking for that classic mossy look of Olympic.
Find the trailhead by taking highway 101 to Old State 9 Rd if coming from Forks (you’ll see Lake Quinault and know it’s almost time to turn once you get to the lake).
If you stay at the Quinault Lake Lodge (as suggested in the section above), you’re just a short drive less than a mile from the trailhead.
Kestner Homestead Trail
Hike 1.3 mile loop
I’m sneaking one more hike in, and this one is sure to end your trip with a bang.
The Kestner Homestead Trail was one the kids loved. You’ll get mossy forest, historic structures, and even beautiful river flows right at the trail.
At just over a mile, it’s still a great one for families. The trail itself is pretty easy, though if it’s raining you may have some puddles to jump near the river.
This was one of our favorite trails in the park due to the diversity all in one trail!
Grab some lunch at the Lake Quinault Lodge or at the Quinault Internet Cafe.
Lake Quinault
End your 3 days in Olympic National Park with some deep, beautiful relaxation.
Lake Quinault is stunning with its deep turquoise hues. Rent a paddle board or kayak and spend the day on the water. Rentals are available at the lodge, with a great place to put in.
When you’re worn out from playing on the lake, freshen up back at the lodge and then get ready for a sunset boat ride on the lake. Take in that golden hour on the water before packing up.
Best Time to Visit Olympic National Park
The best time to visit Olympic National Park is summer. This is when it’s not as rainy and more services are opened. As you get into fall and winter, certain lodging and many restaurants and rental places begin to close. As a downside, it is much more crowded in summer.
That said, we went in fall and had an incredible time. It was not crowded at all! We still very much enjoyed every hike, waterfall, and beach. We planned ahead by packing up our meals to take with us knowing everything would be closed.
And the colors! While the park was still very green, we had plenty of golden fall colors as well. (The picture above was on the lake from the rental we stayed at.)
Where to Stay in at Olympic National Park
There are a lot of options where to stay in Olympic National Park.
Port Angeles will give you a farther drive as it’s situated on one end of the park, closer to Hurricane Ridge. This is the largest town in the area, so if you prioritize having services nearby, this is the place.
👉🏼 Lake Sutherland (where we stayed, pictured) was still towards one end, but we LOVED being on the lake in our own rental. Some days were longer drives and some were shorter. And some days we started the morning kayaking right off the deck. Lake Sutherland is between Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent.
Lake Crescent Lodge is right on Lake Crescent, but it’s seasonal. You’ll still have a ways to drive to get to the Quinault area, but it’s actually a great location for many other things.
Forks is pretty central to the western part of the park. It’s the largest town within the park area, giving you a few different options.
Lake Quinault Lodge is a great, year-round, beautiful place to stay toward the southern area of the park on the west side. It’s right on the lake, has dining and water rentals. Plus it has an indoor heated pool!
FAQs
How many days in Olympic National Park?
3 Days in Olympic National Park is a great amount of time. You really get to see a lot without having to rush to much. That said, if you were planning on 4 days, that’s a great amount as well as there are a few things I didn’t include here that an extra day would be able to accommodate!
How much money do I need for 3 days in Olympic National Park?
It really depends on your travel style! If you’re wanting a lake day where you rent some water toys and eat out at restaurants and go to the hot springs once, then $150-200 per person per day should be plenty (because you won’t rent water craft every day.)
We pack our own meals, bring our own snacks, and didn’t rent any water toys, so we honestly got by just on what we spent on our rental. Plus, we have the national parks pass, so we didn’t need the extra $30 for entrance.
We did visit the hot springs, but at only around $20 per person, that was totally decent compared to other hot springs we’ve been to.
Final Thoughts: 3 Day Olympic National Park Itinerary
As you can see, you can cover a lot in just 3 days in Olympic National Park! There is SO much to see, and every stop is totally worth it. From waterfalls to hot springs, from mountain vistas to beach time, Olympic National Park is quite diverse and worthy of the time invested in a visit.
So enjoy this 3 day itinerary in Olympic National Park with your family. There are so many kid-friendly things to do for everyone to enjoy for your next visit.
Read More:
Full Guide to Olympic National Park with Kids
15+ Awesome Cabins to Stay at Near Olympic National Park
One Day in Mount Rainier National Park
11 Easy Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park for Families
