Marlena777

We will be coming from Mt. Ranier and would like to see all the sights in Olympic Peninsula, but are not too impressed so far by accomodations on the southern portion of the west coast. Should we take the east coast instead? Do you have any recommendations of where to stay driving from Mt. Ranier to the ONP? Any help would be great! We are just questioning which way we should go now.

Thanks!

sgorces

There's pretty much nothing up the east side of ONP except a few small towns and motels. You might consider Kalaloch on the ocean southwest of the park. Then you could continue on to Lake Crescent Lodge when you're ready to continue the loop.

happytrailstoyou

So true. So true.

Drive directly to Quinault Lake Lodge for your first night and stay at Lake Crescent Lodge on subsequent nights. Both of these places have beautiful natural settings and good restaurants.

Higlights between Quinault and Crescent Lake are Kalaloch, Ruby Beach, and the Hoh Rain Forest (a one-hour drive off the main highway).

While at Crescent Lake Lodge, take the beautiful easy hike to Marymere Falls.

Unless you will spend a week in ONP, beware of anybody who tells you to spend part of your time taking a hike on the Dungeness Spit.

If you have an extra day, you can take a ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria.

Port Townsend is worth a look if you like little old towns that time forgot and then Boomers remembered again.

fritzrl

You should be aware that lodging at any of the NPS-operated hotels and lodges on the peninsula is hard to come by in peak season, unless you've already reserved, that is. You can go online to inquire what, if anything, might be available to you in August:

http://www.nationalparkreservations....ic/olympic.htm

August is *definitely* peak season on the Olympic peninsula. If you have no luck at Kalaloch, Quinault, or Lake Crescent lodges, then your only alternative may be to spend some nights in Port Townsend, Port Angeles, and/or Forks. Of the 3 Port Townsend has the most intriguing variety of places, Port Angeles the largest assortment, and Forks.... Poor Forks. Ideally situated, but a town perpetually in recovery from harder economic times. Regardless, your chances of finding zero- to 1-star places in any of those towns is far greater than 5-star.

Key point: reserve now! Even the zero-star options get booked quickly.

Fritzl

fritzrl

Forgot: Sequim ("Skwim") -- between Port Angeles and Port Townsend. Pleasant, and offers more opportunities for overnight lodging.

Fritzl

Marlena777

Thanks for all your help with this! I had trouble getting a room at lake crescent or lake quinault, but we are going to stay in sequim instead.