PlishBrown

Hello everyone! My husband and I are going to be headed to the North West for the first time ever for a wedding in Seattle on July 27. The next Sunday morning, we plan to wake up, get a rental car, head over the Brainbridge Ferry onto the peninsula and spend all day Sunday, Monday, and perhaps some of Tuesday morning at Olympic National Park (so staying over 2 nights). Afterwards, continuing south to Portland.

We are more into doing some small, moderate hikes and lots of sight seeing the beautiful area. But we dont need to do biking or kayaking. I know we want to hit up: Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, Marymere Fall, Sol Duc Hot Springs, Hoh rain forest, and Ruby beach or La Push Beach (whichever is best).

My question is, what is the best place to stay over night? I know the motels in Forks are more affordable than the Lodges, but is the further drive West not worth it? Or if we stayed both nights in Lake Crescent, for example, would it be a hassle to drive back the other direction after visiting the southern part of the park?

Any suggestions on lodgings would be greatly appreciated? Since we are trying to fit in a lot of stuff in only two days, I want to make sure we dont waste time driving out of the way just to go to sleep!!
Thanks everyone!

happytrailstoyou

We like to stay at Lake Crescent Lodge (Marymere Building) or the Red Lion in Port Angeles in a room with balcony on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Our favorite drive between Seattle and Port Angeles includes the stretch of Highway 101 that skirts Hood Canal.

The drive between Lake Quinault and Seattle via Olympia is not very scenic or pleasant.

HTtY

sunbum1944

Ditto for Lake Crescent Lodge- but then I have not stayed at any other places.

Stayed there last year- did enjoy the kayaking, there is a nice hike to a waterfall right on the property so no driving involved.
I loved the day at Hurricaine Ridge- beautiful hike and we hit it on a beautiful day.

I did not love Sol Duc- too many people in the pools at the same time- not a place I would go back to- but I know there is some nice hiking close by.

happytrailstoyou

A short drive beyond the Sol Duc pool there is a parking lot that is a good place to park for an 1.5 mile hike to a waterfall.

Rialto Beach, La Push (Native American town), and Ruby Beach are also worth exploring.

In Forks, South North Gardens is a descent small-town Chinese restaurant and the Thriftway grocery is a good place to buy whatever you need for a picnic.

HTtY

Gardyloo

The first night I'd pick Lake Crescent if you can get in, otherwise PA. Hit Hurricane Ridge and Marymere Falls, but given your timing, don't overlook the chance to visit the lavender fields and farms around Sequim. You won't be there for the festival (a week prior or so) but it still ought to be pretty.

The second night I'd shoot for Lake Quinault Lodge, maybe a little creaky, but in a magical rainforest/lake location. This will be a very busy day; I too would skip Sol Duc, but visiting Rialto Beach, the Hoh valley, and Ruby Beach/Kalaloch ought to more than meet your needs. The Quinault valley rainforest is almost as rewarding as Hoh, but the lake and lodge are marvelous.

Since you're going on to Portland, I'd just head south on US 101 from Lake Quinault down to the Columbia, and return either via the (very historic, scenic and interesting) north shore of the Columbia (via SR 4 and Longview) or else cross the (awesome) mouth of the river and head into Portland on the Oregon side, via US 30. If time allows, visit the interesting little fishing port of Ilwaco, and try to visit the Cape Disappointment area - some good rocks and lighthouses.

US 101 is pretty meh between Quinault and the river (lots of heavily harvested forests) but it's fast and it's better than futzing to get back to the I-5 corridor by whatever means.

spirobulldog

Well, we really liked Sol Duc. I think Sol Duc Falls is the most impressive waterfall in the park. I really like the hot springs, my wife didn't like them-to dirty and crowded she said. Not for sure what I would skip as we liked it all. We likes Rialto hiking to Hole in the Wall at low tide/tidepools better than Ruby(but it is a pretty beach). We stayed one night at Kalaloch, Sol Duc, and Crescent. Did not stay at Lake Quinault but did eat a meal there(looked like a great place to stay too).

PlishBrown

Wow thanks everyone for the great advice. I think we will definitely shoot for the first night at Lake Crescent Lodge.

Then for the second night, I am still debating between Lake Quinault Lodge or a B&B in forks. Just because if we are doing Hoh, Ruby Beach, or Kalaloch on day 2, I don't know how much back tracking it would be if we stayed at Lake Quinault.

sunbum, We agreed with some reviews we saw online about the Sol Duc being crowed. I still want to do the hike to the waterfall, but I dont think we'll suit up and get in the tubs!

Gardyloo: great advice about the Columbia river! yes we were planning to do that either before or after Portland. And that's good to know to stay on 101.

happytrailstoyou: we will check out that restaurant in Forks. I can only eat so many sandwiches and protein bars in one trip

So another question: I know they are probably all different in their own right, but which is better to see regarding beaches, La Push or Ruby Beach or Rialto? We will probably hit up the coastal area of the park on day 2.

wekewoody

We spent three nights at Lake Crescent and had a hit list of things to do similar to yours. We don't like doing one-night stays on road trips so I would suggest you stay both of your nights at Lake Crescent Lodge. You will do a little back and forth driving, but that didn't bother us. We did not like the restaurant at the Lake Crescent Lodge much, but ended up eating our meals ordered from the bar on the enclosed veranda with a fabulous view of the lake. Much better than the rather cramped dining room.