Where to Stay Near Olympic National Park
If you’re planning a trip to Olympic National Park in Washington, you might be wondering where to stay nearby. And I’ve got you covered with this guide on the best places to stay near Olympic National Park.
As one of the three national parks located in Washington, Olympic National Park is located on the Olympic Peninsula to the west of Seattle. Getting here takes at least four hours from Seattle and involves a very long drive or a car ferry ride, so this is really not a place where you can come on a day trip.
I recommend spending at least two days and one night at Olympic National Park, although you could easily stay for longer and spend two or three nights here because there is so much to do.
The national park offers varied scenery, from the lush moss-covered trees of Hoh Rain Forest to the rugged coastline of Rialto Beach to the alpine scenery of Hurricane Ridge. There are plenty of great hiking opportunities for all skill levels, from easy day hikes to multi-day backpacking adventures.
There are no roads through the national park, so driving times to get from place to place can be quite long. Most people stay on the northern side of the national park, near Port Angeles or Forks.
Best Hotels Near Olympic National Park
As I mentioned, Port Angeles and Forks are where you’ll find the most accommodation options near the national park. You might recognize both of these place names from the Twilight series — the moody teen vampire and werewolf franchise that was set in the Olympic Peninsula. The town of Forks especially still leans into the Twilight connection, and you’ll find several kitschy gift shops themed to the franchise.
Port Angeles is the larger town, with 20,000 people, while Forks is a small town of just 3,000 people with no chain restaurants and limited services. Port Angeles is further from the western side of the national park, whereas Forks offers easier access to popular places like the Hoh Rain Forest and Rialto Beach.
I should also note that there are a number of free and paid camping areas around Olympic National Park, but this guide is going to be focused only on hotels, cabins, and lodges around the national park.
Here are my top picks for where to stay near Olympic National Park:
- Nicest hotel in Port Angeles: Olympic Lodge by Ayres
- Best National Parks lodge: Lake Crescent Lodge
- Best in Forks: Woodland Inns
- Surrounded by nature: Hoh Valley Cabins
And here’s a full breakdown of the best hotels near Olympic National Park.
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Olympic Lodge by Ayres
Although you won’t find any proper “luxury” hotels near Olympic National Park, Olympic Lodge is probably the nicest hotel that you’ll find in the area. Located in Port Angeles, this hotel offers nice rooms with a classic Pacific Northwest style and amenities like a heated swimming pool and a hot tub.
Port Angeles is the largest town near Olympic National Park, so you’ll have more dining options to choose from here. Depending on where you’re going in the national park, it can take between one and two hours to get there from Port Angeles. But if you’re looking for a comfortable base, this is a great option.
Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor
Another good hotel in Port Angeles is the Red Lion Hotel, which is located right on the harbor. This hotel is also just steps away from the ferry that goes to Victoria, Canada (which takes just 90 minutes!) Some of the rooms here overlook the water, with a private balcony where you can relax and enjoy the view.
This hotel also has a heated swimming pool and a hot tub where you can wind down after a day of exploring the national park. And there are plenty of options for dining and shopping nearby this hotel.
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is unique because it’s one of the NPS lodges located inside the national park. Guests staying here will be able to soak in the mineral-rich pools of the Sol Duc Hot Springs. There are also several hikes along the Sol Duc River and to Sol Duc Falls that you can easily do from this lodge.
The rooms here are pretty basic, but what you’re paying for is the location in Olympic National Park and access to the hot springs. Some of the rooms at this lodge also come with full kitchen facilities.
Lake Crescent Lodge
Another NPS lodge that you can stay at is Lake Crescent Lodge. Situated on the shores of beautiful Lake Crescent, this lodge offers peace and tranquility and historic rooms and cabins with lots of charm.
Guests staying here can enjoy relaxing by the lake and renting a boat, and it also makes a good base for exploring Olympic National Park. There’s an on-site dining room, lounge, and coffee bar at this lodge.
Woodland Inns
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Forks, I recommend Woodland Inns. These quaint log cabins are right in town, less than thirty minutes from Rialto Beach and less than one hour from the Hoh Rain Forest. You can easily explore the town of Forks from here, with numerous restaurants and shops nearby.
Although they appear rustic on the outside, these cabins are modern on the inside. They offer cozy, comfortable accommodations, including fully-equipped kitchens and air conditioning.
Pacific Inn Motel
Also in Forks, the Pacific Inn Motel is another good option. The rooms have been updated, and although they are nothing fancy, they are comfortable and clean. The motel is located right in the heart of town.
Some of the rooms here have full kitchens, and a laundry room is available on-site for guests. For the Twilight superfans out there, you can even book themed rooms here, which I think is hilarious.
Hoh Valley Cabins
The Hoh Valley Cabins are an amazing place to stay if you want to be surrounded by nature in the midst of the national park. These cabins are located just twenty minutes from the Hoh Rain Forest, which is by far one of the most popular areas in Olympic National Park (so you can beat the crowds there!)
The cabins offer modern, comfortable accommodations, with large windows overlooking the forest. You’ll have full kitchen facilities for cooking, and a spacious porch where you can kick back and relax. This is the perfect place to stay if you want to get away from it all and want easy access to hiking and nature.
Quileute Oceanside Resort
If the idea of staying on the coast appeals to you, Quileute Oceanside Resort is the perfect place to stay. This hotel is located in La Push, baby (sorry, Twilight reference), a tiny oceanfront town. You’ll be minutes away from Rialto Beach, and other parts of the national park are a one- to two-hour drive away.
The cabins here are rustic-chic, with modern comforts and plenty of PNW charm. You can enjoy amazing views of the Pacific Ocean from many of the accommodations here. There’s not much in La Push (just a couple of small stores and restaurants), and you kind of feel like you’re at the edge of the world.
Kalaloch Lodge
Kalaloch Lodge is another one of the NPS lodges at Olympic National Park. It’s located a little over one hour south of La Push and Rialto Beach along the coast, and one hour from the Hoh Rain Forest.
This lodge is a great base for exploring the coastal side of Olympic National Park, and you can go for tidepool walks to see sea stars or whale-watch along the rugged shores of the Pacific Ocean. The rooms here are fairly basic but comfortable, and there’s an on-site restaurant, lounge, and coffee bar for guests.
Where to Stay Near Olympic National Park
This guide showed you where to stay near Olympic National Park.
To recap, my top picks for where to stay are:
- Nicest hotel in Port Angeles: Olympic Lodge by Ayres
- Best National Parks lodge: Lake Crescent Lodge
- Best in Forks: Woodland Inns
- Surrounded by nature: Hoh Valley Cabins
Have a great trip and enjoy your visit to Olympic National Park!
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