wintertraveler

I want to know if I can make a day trip from Port Townsend to the Hoh Rain Forest in Decmeber (days are shorter of course I know). If not, and I decide to travel direct from Seattle on my first day, can anyone recommend a place to stay overnight so the next day I can get on to Port Townsend after seeing the rain forest and park?

John

It's around 3 1/2 to 4 hours' drive, so overnight is probably best. If you're coming on a week night, the Kalaloch Lodge is a possibility, http://www.visitkalaloch.com/, or one of the places near Lake Quinault, for example the Lake Quinault Lodge, http://www.visitlakequinault.com/
There are motel type accommodations at Forks, lots of places further south like Ocean Shores, but that's even farther from Port Townsend.

wintertraveler

Hmm, wonder if we should head out straight from Seattle then - but that makes for a long day with the flight. Would it be a lot closer drive from Seattle?

John

From the airport, traffic aside, it's around 3 hours to Kalaloch via Olympia and Aberdeen/Hoquiam, add 20 min. or so from downtown Seattle. The reason the Olympic NP coastal area feels so remote is because it is.

wintertraveler

I just thought I'd update that we decided to spring for a stay overnight at the Lake Quinault Lodge making it much easier on our schedule to see the rain forest.