The Ultimate Olympic Peninsula Road Trip Itinerary

I absolutely love where we live. The topography is so varied, there is always something new to explore no matter how long you’ve lived here. So when I set about planning a spring break vacation that was relatively close to home, there were lots of options available. I landed on a 5-day road trip around the Olympic Peninsula, and when all was said and done it was one of the best vacations I’ve ever taken with my kids.

It was equal parts activity and relaxation, the drives were broken up into perfect intervals so days on the road weren’t too long, and it was even a teeny bit educational. My kids and I had such a good time I thought I’d share our itinerary in case you were looking for the perfect road trip without all the planning.

**There are obviously a ton of things to do on the Olympic Peninsula. Hurricane Ridge. The rain forest. The hot springs. Lakes. Hikes. But my theme for this trip was “PNW beach vacay” so when deciding what sights to see, I stuck to beach/coast attractions.**

DAY 1: Hike the Dungeness Spit in Sequim.

You can play on the beach, walk part of the way until your kids get tired, or hike all the way to the lighthouse at the end. The full hike is 11 miles roundtrip. It took my kids (ages 10 and 6) a little over 6 hours to complete the hike. Plan to start your hike around 10 am to make sure you’re back in time for dinner, so plan your departure from home (and any necessary ferry travel) accordingly. While most sources recommend planning to hike during low tide, we had no choice but to hike during high tide and it was just fine. Check the tide charts before you go and make sure it’s not an exceptionally high tide if you’re planning to go during that time. Fee: $3 per 4-person party

Where to Stay: Red Lion Hotel in Port Angeles. Splurge for a water view room because this is a beach-themed vacation, after all! A hot tub is available to soak your aching muscles after your hike, and if you’re there during the summer months your kids will love splashing in the pool (if they’re not already completely worn out).

DAY 2: Salt Creek, Neah Bay, & Cape Flattery

9:30 am: Check out of your hotel and fill up your gas tank on the way out of Port Angeles.

10:00 am: Arrive at Salt Creek around 10 am. This was my son’s trip highlight. DO NOT skip this gem! Several different staircases lead you down to the water – from there explore tidepools, beaches, and climb over giant rocks. Your experience will vary depending on the tides. There are also a couple WWII bunkers to check out. Plan to picnic there for lunch and hit the bathrooms before you head on the road. Fee: none

12:30 pm: Leave Salt Creek. Even though GPS says your drive will be about an hour and a half, the road is pretty winding so it will likely take you longer.

2:30 pm: Arrive at Neah Bay. Stop at the Makah Museum. Spend about 45 minutes exploring the museum; also purchase your Recreation Permit while stopped here, which you’ll need to visit Cape Flattery or any other locations in the area. Museum Fee: see rates here

3:30 pm: Arrive at Cape Flattery Trailhead and hike the trail. This is an easy, 1.5 mile roundtrip trek to the Northwestern-most corner of the continental US. It is absolutely stunning. However, do be aware that there are dangerous cliffs and dropoffs at the end. I took my kids and felt comfortable, but I would be hesitant to bring any child under age 5 who wasn’t sure-footed and didn’t listen well. If you have a young child, don’t necessarily cross this destination off your list. You can still see amazing views, but I’d encourage you to carefully consider whether you feel safe taking them past the first or second viewing platform once you get there and assess the conditions. Fee: $10 Recreation Permit. If you didn’t purchase one at the museum, here is a list of places that sell it.

Where to Stay: Hobuck Beach Resort. It’s only ten minutes away from your Cape Flattery hike and right on the beach for the kids. Because this area is very remote, pack an easy-to-cook dinner to serve in your cabin.

DAY 3: Ruby Beach, Tree of Life at Kalaloch, Ocean Shores

9:00 am: Check out of the cabin and hit the road. Grab an espresso at Strait Shots Espresso in Clallam Bay for the drive. Fill up your gas tank in Forks.

11:00 am: Arrive at Ruby Beach. Hike the short .2-mile trail to discover breathtaking views. Explore the rugged beach, have a picnic lunch. Leave the sand toys in the car – this beach is for exploring, not sand play.

1:00 pm: Get back on the road.

1:15 pm: Swing into the Kalaloch Campground parking lot. Head down the stairs to the beach, turn right, and soon you’ll run into the Tree of Life. It’s this amazing tree with a root system that’s completely exposed. It’s a brief stop but totally worth it.

1:30 pm: Hit the road again.

3:00 pm: Arrive in Ocean Shores.

Where to Stay: There are so many options, but make sure you stay on the beach to stick with your beach vacation theme. I loved that my kids could play in the sand while I cooked dinner in our little cottage and everyone was so happy.

DAYS 4 & 5: Relax in Ocean Shores

No itinerary here – this time is yours! Nature really is the best playground, so you can spend the entire time on the beach or do some of the more tourist-y activities like mini golf, go-karts, or horseback riding. Don’t overschedule these days – they’ll be best if you just relax and go with the flow.

This trip will allow your kids to see how different the coast can be in various locations of our beautiful state. They’ll experience different weather, varied geography, and tons of interesting and gorgeous views. Plus, the agenda isn’t so jam-packed that you’ll feel frantic. It’s the perfect blend of busy and laid-back.