Where to Stay in Olympic National Park → 4 Best Areas

With a rich history and natural wonders that will blow your mind, Olympic National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the country! Located in Washington on the Olympic Peninsula, this location has brought many tourists from around the world who wish to see the beautiful Pacific Northwest area!

There are a few entry points at the park, but the most popular ones are in the North (Hurricane Ridge area and Lake Crescent area), Northwest (Ozette, Neah Bay, Shi Shi Beach), Central (Hoh Rain Forest Entrance), South (Lake Quinault), and Southwest (Kalaloch).

Get ready to explore Hurricane Ridge for days, visit the coastal portion and the beautiful Ruby Beach, and relax in the hot springs inside the park! Now let’s see where to stay in Olympic National Park! From historic wood cabins near hot springs to luxury hotels with great facilities, in this post, I’m going to help you find the right hotel for you in and around the park!

Just keep in mind that all the accommodations sell out super fast considering national parks are a huge attraction in the US, so I highly recommend booking your place in advance to get the best deals and to avoid staying in a town that’s too far!

Let’s go, the Olympic National Forest is calling us!

If you are in a hurry

If you want to book now, then there’s no reason to wait! Browse this list with the best accommodation for where to stay in Olympic National Park, all located in Port Angeles

Here’s a map of all the areas where to stay in Olympic National Park that I will be talking about in this post:

1. Port Angeles – where to stay near the North Entrances

Welcome to the getaway to the Olympic National Park! The little town of Port Angeles is situated next to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and it’s the perfect place from where you can start your adventure in one of the most famous parks in the Pacific Northwest!

Port Angeles is located 2 miles (3 km) north of the Olympic National Park Visitor Center at the park’s north entrance. This entrance leads to Hurricane Ridge, the most easily accessed mountain area within the park with hiking trails plus areas for skiing and snowboarding in the winter.

Surrounded by nature and the breathtaking sights of the majestic Olympic Mountains, filled with many places to visit and plenty of spots to eat, Port Angeles serves as the best base for your trip.

I’m sure our Twilight fans will recognize the town’s name as this is where some of the dress shopping scenes occur (although they weren’t actually filmed here).

I know you might be in a hurry to explore all the picturesque trails in the park, but I highly recommend taking some days to explore Port Angeles. I’m sure you’re going to be pleasantly surprised by all the hidden gems, the sights of the Juan de Fuca strait (the international boundary between the US and Canada), and the town’s culture!

And hey if you’re in the mood for a fun road trip to a bigger city, Seattle is just 3 hours away! Now, let’s find some awesome hotels and lodge rooms, which I think you should book in advance. Port Angeles tends to get super busy with tourists who are not only visiting the park but other surrounding spots as well!

Other accommodation options in Port Angeles

Things to do in Port Angeles

• Check out the sculptures at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center
• Spend a fun day at the Feiro Marine Life Center Museum
• Catch a sunset near Port Angeles City Pier
• Learn new things about the town’s history on a Port Angeles Underground Heritage Tour
• Enjoy the views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca
• Spend a relaxing afternoon on Hollywood beach
• Drop by the Olympic National Park Visitor Center and explore Hurricane Ridge

2. Forks – best place to stay for the Hoh Rain Forest entrance

If you’ve watched Twilight, I’m sure this name will sound familiar to you. After all this is where most of the action took place. However don’t get too excited, the movie was not filmed here.

Forks is located on the northwest side of the Olympic Peninsula, just 30 miles (50 km) south of the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center in Olympic National Park, and it’s a great place to start your outdoor adventures before you head to the park!

This small town is not only famous because of the Twilight books, its natural beauty, and the proximity to Olympic National Park’s Hoh Forest, the largest temperate rain forest in the continental US, has brought people from all over the world to visit it.

Just a few minutes away from Forks, you’ll find 200 miles of wild rivers, so if you’re into fishing, kayaking, or rafting this area is for you! And there are also quite a few beaches nearby Forks, like La Push Beach, another famous spot from the Twilight movies.

There is a wide range of attractions here, depending on whether you’re more into outdoor adventures or you like to visit museums and learn more about the town’s culture. Elk Creek Conservation Area is great for exploring and hiking, but I would also visit John’s Beachcombing Museum. It’s an interesting spot!

Other accommodation options in Forks

Things to do in Forks

• Visit the John’s Beachcombing Museum
• Explore the Elk Creek Conservation Area
• Check out the Forever Twilight in Forks Collection Museum
• Take a picture of Bella’s Truck and of the famous Swan House
• Go play with the kids in Tillicum Park
• Enjoy some tranquility in Sol Duc Valley

3. Sequim – where to stay for nature lovers

Located 15 miles (25 km) west of the Olympic National Park Visitor Center, Sequim has that small-town charm, and it’s a great place to stay for anyone who loves nature!

Agriculture plays a big role in the town’s affairs, that’s why you’ll see many organic farms as you explore Sequim. The town is also known as the Lavender Capital of North America, as many farms cultivate this beautiful plant. Just wait until you see the purple lanes in mid-June/July, they look so magical!

Although you’ll be a bit further away from the Olympic National Park, you’ll be lucky enough to experience the perks of staying in a town like Sequim, where natural beauty reigns over the whole land. And don’t worry, there are many spots where you can engage in all kinds of outdoor activities like the Olympic Discovery Trail.

That’s not it, though! A holiday can’t be complete if you don’t add a shopping session or 2. Lucky for you, Sequim is the regional retail center of the Olympic Peninsula, and you’ll find all kinds of quirky shops in the downtown area!

Other accommodation options in Sequim

Things to do in Sequim

• Visit the mesmerizing ​​Purple Haze Organic Lavender Farm
• Enjoy the river views at Railroad Bridge Park
• Learn more about the town at Sequim Museum & Arts
• Explore with the family the Carrie Blake Park
• Play with the cute animals at the Olympic Game Farm near Sequim
• Go on an adventure in Sequim Bay State Park
• Spoil yourself with some shopping in downtown Sequim

4. Inside the park – the best lodges in Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is undoubtedly a natural wonder! Between the sandy beaches, lush forests, and all the hiking trails, you’ll find scenery that seems like a fairytale. You might have to pinch yourself every 5 minutes to realize that it’s not a dream! The Sol Duc Falls and the Hall of Moses, a forest with moss-draped trees, are 2 of my favorite spots that I highly recommend, the sights are incredible! You’ll also find over 600 miles of picturesque trails that are just great for hiking and mountain biking! What did I tell you? Never a dull moment here!

Staying inside a national park has its perks, as many of you know. However, I always recommend finding hotels in the towns nearby. Firstly because you get a much wider range of accommodations equipped with all the facilities you need, and secondly you get the chance of visiting two new places, not just the Olympic National Park itself.

That being said, I know that many of you love the adventure of staying in historic lodge rooms and getting first access to all the amazing spots in Olympic National Park, so you’ll probably be interested in the accommodation here. While you won’t find luxury facilities, the prices all range from US$90 to US$300 depending on the type of lodge you choose so I have listed them in descending price order.

• Kalaloch Lodge – Located on Washington’s west coast, near the Southwest entrance of the park, this is the only coastal lodge in Olympic National Park, and it offers different types of options for your stay from cabins to the rooms in the main Kalaloch lodge. With access to some of the most beautiful Pacific beaches, a restaurant on-site, a small grocery store, and a gift shop, Kalaloch Lodge is a perfect spot to stay in the park.
• Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort – What better way to end a day of exploring the hiking trails in the park than with a bath in the hot spring pools at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort? Located on the north side of the park 60 miles (100 km) away from the Hurricane Ridge visitor center, along the Sol Duc River, the little rustic cabins have private bathrooms and coffee makers. Enjoy the delicious food at Springs Restaurant and relax in the natural hot mineral pools!
• Lake Crescent Lodge – This accommodation is one of the most beautiful historic lodges in the park and it’s located on its north side just 40 miles (65 km) away from Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center! It was built back in 1915 and it has a rustic setting and a beautiful lounge area with a fireplace, perfect to relax after a day spent in the park! Lake Crescent Lodge offers rooms with lake views and a fine dining restaurant.
• Log Cabin Resort – Offering a wide range of accommodation options from lakeside chalets, lodge rooms, rustic cabins, and more, Log Cabin Resort has a rustic setting and it’s located within walking distance from the river. Engage in all kinds of activities here like fishing, hiking, and biking! The accommodation is located on the north side of the park, 40 miles (60 km) away from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center.

Things to do in Olympic National Park

• Explore the Olympic Peninsula 
• Go mountain biking and hiking on the picturesque trails in the park
• See the beautiful Sol Duc Falls
• Feel like you’re on another planet in the Hall of Moses
• Explore the Hurricane Ridge area 
• Check out the Olympic hot springs 
• Climb the Mount Storm King and admire the views 

BONUS 1: The best cabins to stay near Olympic National Park

Finding the best vacation rentals can be difficult, especially when you’re traveling to a place such as Olympic National Park. The options are infinite! That’s why I wanted to include in this post as many different options as possible as we all have such different tastes and look for unique places to stay! All the cabins I chose cost between US$200 – US$400 and they are listed in price order from most to least expensive.

So here are the best and most comfortable cabins to stay near the park:

1. Lake Sutherland Retreat – Enjoy the sunny days on the porch of this cozy cabin that boasts some incredible views of Lake Sutherland! The accommodation is located in Clallam County, 15 miles (25 km) away from Port Angeles and it can accommodate up to 6 people. When you’re not out there, exploring the alpine meadows and going on boat tours, you can chill here and enjoy some fishing and kayaking!
2. Lakefront Cabin – Play with the little ducks and enjoy the lake views from the terrace of this cabin that has space for 8 people, a kitchen, and a living room. Get a cup of tea and warm-up in front of the fireplace. The accommodation is located in Clallam County, 15 miles (25 km) away from Port Angeles and it also offers a treehouse, so if you’re looking for a super unique stay, you’ve found the perfect spot.
3. River Cabin – Cozy cabins will always be one of my favorite types of accommodations! This lovely place can accommodate up to 4 people and it will make you feel like you’re at home. End a day exploring the lush Sol Duc Valley inside the park, with a bath in the hot tub! The cabin is located in Clallam County, 15 miles (25 km) away from Forks. There are also some BBQ facilities if you’re in the mood for a home-cooked meal!
4. Rustic Cabin – Located near Lake Cushman in Hoodsport, just 80 miles (130 km) away from Port Angeles, this cabin with a cozy wood-burning stove is surrounded by trees. It offers a private and tranquil setting for your holiday to Olympic National Park. The little porch is perfect to have your morning coffee and listen to the birds singing while getting ready for another day of sightseeing!

BONUS 2: The best campsites inside Olympic National Park

I think that sleeping under the starry sky in a national park is on the list of most travelers who love to explore these stunning places in nature. It can be quite exciting but do make sure you know which facilities are available before you book your place, and decide super early if you want to stay in a campground as they sell out sometimes even a year in advance.

You may not have an indoor pool or any fancy facilities but it’s super worth it! Especially when you wake up in the morning to the best views and the prices are great, all the campgrounds are just $25 per night. So let’s see which campgrounds are the best for you!

1. Heart O’ the Hills Campground – Located near the Lake Angels trailhead, this campground is open all year round, and the reservations work on a first-come-first-served basis so make sure you choose your spot early and get there ASAP! There are 105 camping sites here, and you can also bring your RV. Some of the facilities at the Heart O’ the Hills Campground include potable water and flush toilets.
2. Heart O’ the Hills Campground – Camping near the lake always secures some scenic views, especially if you wake up super early to watch the sunrise! This campground is located near Lake Crescent and it works on a first-come-first-served basis. You’ll find 88 sites here for both tents and RVs. There are also some fire pits, perfect for late-night gatherings and picnic tables as well.

3. Staircase Campground – Another great campground that’s situated near Lake Cushman, this spot has 49 sites including RVs plots. Get ready for some relaxing nights spent by the fire with your neighbor in this amazing spot to stay in Olympic National Park. The campground is equipped with accessible restrooms and potable water.
4. Kalaloch Campground – Ever wanted to camp near the Pacific Ocean? Well, now you’ve got the chance! The Kalaloch Campground offers some amazing ocean views and it’s open all year round! You can make your reservations online during the peak season from the end of May until mid-September, but off-season it works on a first-come-first-served basis. The campground has 170 sites.
5. Mora Campground – Tucked away in a coastal forest, near the Quillayute River, this campground has sites that overlook the river. So make sure you get the ones with the best views during the peak season, from the end of May until mid-September, you’ll need to make your reservations online, but off-season it works on a first-come-first-served basis. There are 94 sites, and there’s room for RVs as well.

Frequently asked questions about Olympic National Park

Conclusion

Are you as amazed as I am by the beauty of this place? I hope this post helped you decide where to stay in Olympic National Park and which accommodation to pick.

There are so many options in the post and I know better than anyone how hot it is to decide, so for some extra help, here are my top 2 favorite places:

Just keep in mind that all the good hotels will sell out in a second! That’s why I always recommend booking in advance, especially in places like Olympic National Park, it will save lots of time and money!

Enjoy this fun adventure on the Olympic Peninsula is one of the most amazing national parks in America! Explore the hiking trails on Hurricane Ridge, visit the beautiful Lake Quinault, and Dungeness Bay, and relax in the hot springs! Don’t forget to leave me a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions about the Pacific Northwest area!

Safe Travels,

Victoria