And just when we thought our hiking adventures could not get any better…
Enter Olympic National Park! This remarkable national treasure is home to rugged mountain peaks, lush temperate rainforests, crystal-clear lakes and a wild Pacific coastline, all within a single trip.
In this post, we share everything we learned along the way: the fascinating geologic and Native American history of the region, where we stayed, our favorite place to eat, and what to expect in early October. We’ll also take you along on three of our favorite trails, from the challenging summit of Storm King, to the peaceful shores of Third Beach, and the magical Madison Falls.
Geological History
Imagine: 50 million years ago, volcanoes erupted from deep within the ocean, and huge basalt flows built up layers on the seafloor. As the Juan de Fuca Plate slid beneath North America, the earth crumpled, pushed upward and lifted the land into the rugged peaks we see today.
During the Ice Ages, glaciers reshaped the landscape, carving deep valleys and scouring out the basin that now holds the magnificent Lake Crescent we witnessed during our Storm King hike. Today, glaciers still cling to Mount Olympus, and the tectonic plates are still moving as our earth continues to transform.
These geologic forces are exactly what make the region so biodiverse and uniquely beautiful.
Native American History
We honor those who came before us, the original stewards of the land. The historic Olympic Peninsula was home to the Hoh, Skokomish, Quinault, Jamestown S’Klallam, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Makah, Quileute, Lower Elwha Klallam and Squaxin Island tribes. Their rich cultures and traditions are deeply rooted in this land, which was a source of food, nourishment, transportation, trade and spiritual connection.
Today, the park works hand in hand with the tribes to continue its sustainability efforts. Joint efforts actively protect dense temperate rainforests, mountains, crystalline rivers and magnificent Pacific Ocean coastline. You can learn more at the National Park’s Visitor Center.
Where to Stay
Photo Courtesy: Red Lion Hotel
If you are looking for a budget-conscious, pet-friendly hotel with waterfront views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, check out the Red Lion Hotel! Centrally located on Port Angeles Harbor, it offers all of the home-base amenities that make for an enjoyable trip. We really enjoyed being close enough to walk to local restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and more.
The beachfront hotel sits just one block from the town center, where we found easy access to ferries to Victoria, British Columbia. We recommend walking down to the dock for beautiful views and family photos, particularly around sunset. There are also plenty of places to grab a bite.
Photo Courtesy: Red Lion Hotel
After an extensive day of hiking, we absolutely loved the hotel’s hot tub, heated to just 100 degrees. If you’re traveling with children, you may also enjoy the large heated pool, open until 10:00 p.m. Guests can also enjoy free bike rentals and fresh local fare at the on-site restaurant.
Favorite Food Spot
Our favorite dinner spot was Kokopelli Grill, which featured a diverse selection of seafood and a casual, cozy atmosphere, and was only a short walk from the Red Lion. On Saturday night, it was packed by late afternoon, so you’ll want to make a reservation, especially with a larger party! We booked a seat by the window so we could enjoy a view of the Olympic Peninsula’s famous sunsets.
Nearly everything is made in-house, from the signature sauces to the soups. After our 9-mile day, we decided to splurge on the Smoked Salmon Fettuccine, cooked with local coho smoked salmon, green chiles, garlic, tomatoes, crème fraîche and parmesan cheese, as well as the Kokopelli Combo with scallops, shrimp, grilled salmon and a crab cake, and a side of cilantro rice. The Michele Chiarlo Moscato was the perfect dessert to wrap up a delicious dinner!
Weather
If you’re looking for cool, sunny weather with smaller crowds, we recommend booking your trip for the first week of October. We experienced daytime highs in the upper 50s to low 60s, with nighttime temperatures dropping into the 40s. Many of the locals mentioned that the first week of October marks the close of the typically dry season, just before the seasonal rain that extends over the following four to six months.
Packing Essentials
🎒 Daypack (20–30L)
🗺️ Offline map
💧 2–3 liters of water
👕 Moisture-wicking layer
🌧️ Waterproof rain jacket
👖 Quick-dry pants/shorts
🧤 Light gloves (especially for Storm King Trail)
🩹 First-aid kit
🆘 Bear mace (for cougars and mountain lions)
📣 Whistle
🔪 Multi-tool or knife
🔥 Lighter + waterproof matches
🪪 ID + emergency contact info
🦟 Bug spray (ticks)
Trail Talk
Storm King
Storm King was one of the most challenging and rewarding Pacific Northwest hikes we’ve done so far. Pets are not permitted on this hike. We recommend arriving between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., as the trail became increasingly crowded and parking was nearly impossible to find. It took us 3.5 hours to summit all the way to the top, including time to take photos and silently experience the forest whisperers.
We loved how dynamic the trail felt, climbing steeply through switchbacks that start among ferns and mossy trees decorated in fall colors, then rising through a stretch of towering trees before giving way to rocky terrain near the top. We caught incredible views of blue-green valleys and golden sunlight rising from the east, painting beautiful, light-filled brushstrokes across the forest leaves. The experience was nothing short of a masterpiece, especially when you can experience it in the forest’s silence.
One of our favorite trail features began after the maintained portion of the path: rope-assisted climbing! This made the hike feel like a real adventure—like being a kid again! If you are traveling with young family members or individuals with physical limitations, we highly advise that you explore the safety considerations before deciding to go to the top. The rope climbing did require some physical strength and definitely presented some risks, which we were more than comfortable accepting. If you do decide to do the rope climb, we advise bringing appropriate hiking boots and gloves, as they’ll reduce the potential for rope burn.
Standing at the top of Storm King, we experienced the view that so many hikers rave about! Lake Crescent stretched out far below us, wrapped by forested mountains on every side—it reminded us of our Bellagio hike on Lake Como, Italy. From that height, the lake looked almost like a painting, with the shoreline curving away into the distance and reflecting golden sunlight. We sat on the rocks to catch our breath, listening to the birds chattering around us and secretly wishing one would land in our hands!
Third Beach
After our strenuous summit of Storm King, we decided to take a more leisurely hike on the Third Beach Trail, an easy, family-friendly hiking experience. Parking is free, but we recommend arriving before late afternoon, as the lot fills up quickly—we waited about 45 minutes for a spot. The beach is about 1.35 miles from the parking lot off La Push Road, and it took us about 30 minutes to reach the shoreline.
The trail felt easy and relaxing, winding through a lush forest where interesting mushrooms popped up along the path and grew symbiotically on the trees. Be aware that there could be a good amount of mud on the path, so make sure you have a trash bag in your car!
At the end of the trail, the dense, moss-covered forest opens up to a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean! Washed-up trees and weathered driftwood are scattered across the shore, making the beach feel wild and untouched. The trickiest part is a short scramble over driftwood to reach the sand, so take your time, since the logs aren’t always stable.
We found a spot on a log to rest, listening to the surf and taking in the fresh ocean air, feeling completely at peace. We admired the mysterious and awe-inspiring stacks and rocky headlands rising from the ocean. If you like to meditate or enjoy a mindfulness practice, this is the spot for you! The meeting of the deep sea and the fertile forest line opens up an energy that is deeply nourishing and grounding.
Madison Waterfall
To wrap up our adventure, we made a final excursion to Madison Falls just before departing Olympic National Park. This is another family-friendly option, with a paved path all the way to the waterfall. It’s also one of the few trails in Olympic National Park where leashed pets are welcome! If you arrive before 9:00 a.m., you’re likely to find parking. It took us only about 5 minutes to walk to the waterfall.
This trail truly caught me off guard. Despite its short distance, the forest views and ambiance drew a deep emotional and contemplative energy from us. We loved how peaceful the path felt, curving gently through mossy trees that spoke of a long geologic history. The morning sun was coming up, and the soft light filtering through the trees gave the setting an otherworldly effulgence that brought me back to presence with the Divine spirit.
As we walked along the path, the soft sound of water led us to a mystical waterfall gliding across the rocks. This beauty stood prominently within the space, almost illuminated against the low light that collected in that portion of the forest. The sound of the water is almost hypnotic, and conveniently, we found the perfect bench at its edge.
We lingered longer than we expected, taking photos and listening to the soothing sound of the water, grateful for such a magical moment. Truthfully, no photos or words can express the feeling of this place, especially when it is free of crowds and noise. On a future trip, we plan to lead a group meditation circle here in the early morning.
Environmentally Conscious Investments
Check out ways to support Olympic National Park!
Washington’s National Park Fund (wnpf.org): Donate to support trail maintenance, volunteer programs and search and rescue in Olympic, Mount Rainier and North Cascades National Parks.
Washington Trails Association (wta.org): Sign up for a volunteer trail work party, or become a member to help maintain trails across the state.
Olympic National Park (nps.gov/olym): Buy your park pass and find volunteer opportunities directly with the park.
Leave No Trace (lnt.org): Learn the seven principles for minimizing your impact on the trail.
Eat Local First (eatlocalfirst.org): Find Washington restaurants, farms and businesses that source locally, including Kokopelli Grill.
Become a Mission Arcturus Donor or Sponsor
At Mission Arcturus, we believe that every decision—no matter how small—holds the power to shape a better world. Our mission is to inspire a shift in mindset, encouraging individuals and businesses to consider the broader impact of their everyday choices on the Earth and its people. We promote conscious living, responsible consumerism and entrepreneurship, not through extremes, but through thoughtful action. Join us in building a new global culture that empowers people to achieve their dreams while nurturing the planet we all share.
Leave a Reply