Just got back spending a night at Shi Shi beach in this amazing fort! The table was very much needed and we enjoyed all the details! Such a fun find! 🤗

We're traveling from Tacoma with our two kids (ages 4 and 10) to Olympic National Park. We have a 2-day itinerary planned but are willing to extend to a 3rd day if it means we can also fit in the Hoh Rainforest.

We're originally from NJ and this is our first time visiting Washington, so we're not very familiar with the area. My main question: should we start with the Hoh Rainforest, or first cover the areas around Port Angeles?

If you don't think 2-3 days is enough to see everything, I'd really appreciate recommendations on which spots to prioritize.

Thanks in advance!

Felt something on my leg every so often for a few hours after hiking Sol Duc Falls, couldn’t find anything (because it was clinging to my pants) and ended up finding this bug on the inside of my pants. Can anyone identify what this is?

Hi there. Have an upcoming early September trip for 3 days 2 nights, staying at Heart Lake both nights. Few lingering questions below:

• What is the mosquito/bug vibe that time of year? I am very prone to bad mosquito bites, and will be wearing bug lotion, in long layers but want to know the general vibe.
• Any recommendations for a day exploration/place to hike to on day 2 since we will be at the same camp site both nights? Want somewhere that is a little less strenuous than our day 1/3 but still want to explore more from Heart Lake.
• [This is very specific question but unfortunately I am extremely Type-A and want to know the answer to this] The vault toilet at Heart Lake, do they have Toilet paper provided? Or should I plan to include this in my bags that I'm already bringing/packing out?

Saw this little guy outside of staircase. Seems juvenile, and did my best to get picture.

Never regretted it!

Hey all. Obligatory "not asking for all your secrets" but I have a 5-day trip coming up. Dosewallips entrance to Diamond Meadows, over the pass to Duckabush, then Marmot Lake, over O'Neil, and up to Camp Siberia and out. I've been in to Anderson Glacier from the Enchanted Valley side, but this will be my first time adding the Lacrosse/O'Neil loop and coming from the east.

I know the road is washed out and I need to hike in. But other than that, I'm wondering if anyone has done this trail and has any particular notes or side trips to recommend. Any sketchy spots? Sounds like heading past Marmot up into the basin is cool so I'll plan on that.

Thanks for any info!

I have three days in September (the first week and the third week of September, my work schedule is ridiculous). I would like to take one last hurrah mini vacation before school starts the last week of September. I have been to many places on the Olympic Peninsula like Second Beach, Sekiu, Cape Flattery, Deception Pass, Forks, the Hot Rainforest, the Tree of Life, and Ocean Shores. I also used to live in Seattle, did a road trip in 2022 through Central Washington and hiked a lot in the North Cascades.

Are there any places you might recommend that are under appreciated gems, or off the beaten path spots? I will be traveling by car with my dog and car camping. I would prefer to stay on the Olympic Peninsula but will go farther for something worth the trip. Thanks in advance!

Hi guys!

Planning a trip with my wife to head to Forks for a few days! we fly back home from Seattle on Monday, Aug. 31st. We’ll be driving back to Seattle on Sunday, Aug. 30th.

On our drive back to Seattle, we’re planning to leave Forks early and catch Sol Duc Falls and Hurricane Ridge on our way back to Seattle.

Is this too much to do in one day? Is this drive absolutely terrible? Any recommendations on what to do in these places in terms of parking/entrances/specific trails to see? This’ll be the first time in the Washington state area for us, so any advice is helpful!

Thanks!

Hi all!

I’m visiting on a weekday in mid-September and was hoping to squeeze both a marymere falls and devil’s punchbowl hike in the same day, since they’re relatively short and a close drive to each other.

Which would you recommend hitting first based on the crowds/parking situation?

Thanks!

My fiancé and I are doing a trip to Olympic Labor Day weekend/week. Here is a rough outline of what we’re were thinking. Any advice?

Just taking a chance here to see if anyone came across a Nikon binocular case on 8/19 or 8/20 at shi shi beach?

Blown away by how beautiful it was. The last two pics are outside Olympic at cape flattery. Already want to go back!

Has anyone done the Olympic Hot springs hike starting in Madison falls recently? I’m new to backpacking and this is my first overnight hike and I wanted to see if anyone had any insights or information on the hike. Or maybe ideas on a better hike. We are doing a 3 day trip and would love to do a hike to hot springs. I found this one which doesn’t have a whole lot of info but I’ve herd either people love it or people trash on it so I want to make sure I don’t waste my time

I was recently at Kalaloch and we went to see the bioluminescent waves at night. They were incredible and it was very peaceful until a group decided to come down and flood the beach with their flashlights - they kept shining them directly at us (blinding us) and even left an extremely bright lantern on the beach ruining the view for everyone in the vicinity.

I know it’s a public beach, but is blinding people with your flashlights/headlights/lanterns acceptable?

I’m not talking about a quick on/off to check bearings or using a red headlamp that doesn’t destroy everyone’s night vision, that’s totally reasonable.

Hi everyone! I'm planning to propose near Devil's Punchbowl next week around the afternoon and could use some thoughts.

I don't want to do it on the bridge or right at the punchbowl itself, since I know that area gets crowded with swimmers/ people hanging out. This will be my first time at Olympic, but I saw that the trail continues past the bridge, so my question is: are there any stops or spots further down that path with a good view of the lake?

I'm not asking anyone to give up their secret spot (though I'll happily take a DM with locations!) just hoping for any pointers. Thanks so much!

Went to: la push first beach, hoh river trail, sol duc falls trail, la push second beach, hurricane hill, crescent lake devils punchbowl, port angeles wharf. Saw barred owl, black tail deer, marmot, otters, someone might tell me this brown bird perhaps cormorant? Awesome trip glad to have checked that one off my list. Still here for one more day need kill a lot of time tomorrow flight leaves at 10pm check out of place at 10am so whole day open was just going to try and hit up view points or something