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Olympic National Park Visitor Center (near Port Angeles) - Stop into the Visitor Center to get maps and check out exhibits. In the Discovery Room kids will find a mini-ranger station, touch tables, activity drawers to learn about homesteading, rocks and wildflowers in the park. Outside, take a forest stroll on Living Forest Trail (half mile round trip, strollers okay) or go down to the Peabody Creek Trail (half mile loop). Around the Visitor Center are picnic tables, and both trails have benches, so bring your lunch and eat outdoors. |
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Lake Crescent - This 12 mile long lake, carved by glaciers, has sparkling clear water, perfect for swimming, boating and fishing. Stop at East Beach, which has a sandy beach, shallow roped-off area for swimming and picnic tables (we had a lovely lunch here), and kids can play and splash in the water while parents relax. |
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 Hikes – Near Lake Crescent Lodge, at Barnes Point there are two fun hikes for kids. Take the .8 mile interpretive Moments in Time Trail, which goes through the evergreen forest and by the lake – signs identify wildlife and different types of ancient trees (two trees are 300 – 700 years old). Old kids will enjoy a longer hike, 2 miles round trip, to Marymere Falls. |
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Sol Duc Hot Springs – Go for a soak in the hot springs, three different mineral hot pools, including a wading pool, plus a large swimming pool, from May to September. Sol Duc which means “land of sparkling waters,” also has cabins, a campground, café and grocery store. |
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Hoh Rain Forest - |
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Visitor Center – The visitor center has maps and exhibits about trees, mosses, lichens and wildlife. Learn to identify tracks of black bears, black tailed deer, Roosevelt elk, flying squirrels and river otters. |
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Hall of Mosses Trail – This is a lovely hike through the lush rain forest, under spreading maple trees covered with wispy “club mosses” and blanketed with ferns. Huge Sitka spruce trees are fallen by the side of the trail, the logs a new home for trees and plants. The loop trail, less than one mile round trip, is easy and fun for little kids. The dramatic moss-covered trees are alive with the magic of an enchanted forest. |
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Beaches - A long narrow strip of Olympic National Park encompasses miles of scenic beaches: |
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Ruby Beach – This is a stunning beach for its “sea stacks,” weather-beaten pillars of rock jutting from beneath the waves, ancient sentinels maintaining an eternal watch. It’s a short hike through the woods down the beach, where kids can build driftwood forts, pile up smooth stones, and sit on a log to have lunch. |
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Kalaloch – Go to Kalaloch Beach, a wide, smooth sandy beach, where a creek flows into the sea, and driftwood logs piled hither and yon. Beach 4 at Kalaloch is the place to explore tide pools with star fish and sea anemones (check the tide tables so you’ll be at the beach at low tide). |
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Tips for enjoying Olympic National Park |
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Footwear – Don't short-change yourself. Once you start up the trail, you won't want to turn back soon. Make sure everyone has comfortable shoes. Closed toes are best. Flip flops and plastic sandals are okay on paved paths, but not on dirt trails. |
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Drinking water – Even on a short hike, bring water bottles with you. The streams in Olympic National Park look pristine, but don't drink from the streams. |
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Clothes for changeable weather – On a warm summer’s day, if you go out to the coast, the weather can be cool and foggy, so bring light jackets or sweaters. July and August are usually pretty dry, but at other seasons, parts of the park get over a hundred inches of rain a year, so rain gear is essential. |
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Stay on trails – When hiking, follow the trails. Taking shortcuts causes erosion in the trail. |
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Don't get near the elk – If you’re lucky, you’ll see elk grazing. Do not get too close to the elk, they are wild animals with antlers and sharp hooves. Stay at least 100 feet back. |
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Don't feed the animals – Chipmunks know they're cute, and will even pose for you, but don't feed them, they can bite. At lunch time, chubby marmots (they look like furry slippers) may magically appear, but don't share your lunch. Chips and snacks are bad for many of the animals here – feed them people food and they can end up very sick. |
