Olympic National Park Hiking - Lodge Based

Trip Length5 Days
Group Size4-12
Activity level
Starting from
$3,999 for REI Members
$4,379 for non-members
DeparturesMay 2025-Sep 2025

Spend five days enjoying some of Olympic National Park's greatest hikes during the day and historic accommodations at night.

Sprawling across 1,406 square miles of rainforests, glacier-capped mountains and stunning beaches, Olympic National Park is a unique natural playground for adventure lovers. Ancient trees are contrasted by pristine glacial lakes, and the area's incredible biodiversity makes it a wonderful place to spot all sorts of plants and animals. This thoughtfully crafted itinerary showcases the full range of the park's beauty.

Head upward for incredible views on an exciting hike to Hurricane Hill. Explore tide pools along one of Washington's most picturesque beaches. Walk through enchanting, old-growth forest draped with moss in the Hoh Rainforest. Spend each evening in comfortable accommodations at the Lake Crescent Lodge complex. Built before Olympic was even designated a national park, Lake Crescent Lodge is well-known for its rich history and lore. Relaxing by the fire alongside fellow travelers is the ideal way to cap off an adventure and nature-filled odyssey in one of Washington's most beautiful areas.

We stay at the historic Lake Crescent Lodge complex in the heart of Olympic National Park.

Trip Highlights

  • Stay at the historic Lake Crescent Lodge complex inside the park
  • Take in the expansive views from Hurricane Hill
  • Explore the stately sea stacks and rugged coastline of Olympic National Park
  • Stand amid a treasure trove of biodiversity in the Hoh Rainforest
  • Hike along the Sol Duc River, a thoroughfare for spawning salmon and trout

Activities

This trip is rated Easy Active [2]. Trip members should be capable of hiking 2 to 5 hours each day (up to 6 miles with options for additional hiking) with some steep ascents and descents and elevation gain and loss up to 2,000'.

  • Hiking

What's Included

Any park or other admission fees or permits, local taxes; guide leadership; roundtrip transportation from Seattle host hotel and to all destinations visited during the trip; four nights Olympic National Park Lodge accommodations; meals from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 5.

Accommodations

Lake Crescent Lodge Complex, 4 nights

Your Adventure Itinerary

Itinerary map for Olympic National Park Hiking - Lodge Based
Day 1

Welcome to Olympic National Park and high mountain vistas!

Meet your guides and fellow travelers this morning at our host hotel near the Seattle Airport. Our destination today is beautiful Hurricane Ridge with a stop at the Olympic National Park Interpretive Center to orient ourselves before our first hike to the summit of Hurricane Hill. True to its ominous moniker, this area is known for heavy winds and inclement weather. However, if conditions are favorable, the trail is the perfect introduction to the Olympic Mountain Range. With panoramas of surrounding peaks, views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and chances to glimpse area wildlife, it's not surprising that Hurricane Hill is one of the most treasured destinations within Olympic National Park. After a full day, we head to Lake Crescent, where we'll settle into our rooms and freshen up before enjoying our first dinner together. Lunch and dinner included.

Hiking: 3.2 miles; 650' elevation gain/loss; Van transfer 3-4 hours.

Day 2

Explore the legendary Elwha River

Our destination today takes us through impressive forests of Douglas fir and Western cedar, to the gorgeous fast flowing Elwha River. Originating from the Elwha Snowfinger, a perennial snow field near Dodwell Rixon Pass in the Olympic Range, the Elwha flows 45 miles in a northerly direction to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The recent removal of two dams has allowed the mighty Elwha to once again run free, inviting steelhead and salmon to return to their native spawning grounds.

Hiking: 5 miles, up to 1250' gain/loss: '; Van transfer: 40 mins

Day 3

Walk through the Hall of Mosses as we explore the Hoh Rainforest

Today we visit one of the park's most recognizable destinations: the Hoh Rainforest. We hike a trail surrounded by every shade of green imaginable and visit the home of many unique animal species. Life abounds, from the moss-covered nurse logs on the forest floor to the highest branches of old growth in the thick upper canopies. We keep an eye out for the banana slugs, Douglas squirrels, northern spotted owls and the majestic Roosevelt elk. Our naturalist guides provide valuable insight into the rich natural history of the area. After our time in the Hoh, we'll head back to the comfort of Lake Crescent Lodge, where we'll reflect on all we've seen and relax before tonight's dinner.

Hiking: 2+ miles; up to 100' elevation gain/loss; transfer 3 hours.

Day 4

Explore the rugged coast of Olympic National Park

We enjoy breakfast at Lake Crescent Lodge before heading out for a day along the water. Our final trail will be determined by tides, trail conditions and weather. Regardless of our destination, the characteristic rugged terrain of Washington's scenic coast provides a perfect backdrop for photographers. Sea stacks, natural arches and clear deep tide pools offer visitors a perfect environment for exploration, and we take our time wandering the hidden corners of dark, sandy beaches. This evening we return to our lodge for a hearty dinner and warm beds. All meals included.


Hiking: 4 miles; 300' elevation gain/loss; transfer 2 hours.

Day 5

Beautiful Sol Duc Valley; transfer to Seattle

The final destination on our Olympic National Park adventure is the Sol Duc Valley. We hike under a canopy of moss-draped, old-growth forest and feel the spray of Sol Duc Falls as it cascades into a narrow rocky canyon. We'll hike along the Sol Duc River as it journeys from the subalpine terrain of the Olympic Mountains to the lush, temperate rainforest of the Sol Duc Valley. We conclude our adventure with a transfer back to our host hotel near the Seattle airport, arriving early this evening. Please note that traffic, schedules, trail conditions, weather, group pace, and other factors beyond our control can influence our eventual arrival time. Breakfast and lunch included.

Hiking: up to 6 miles; 200' elevation gain/loss; Van transfer 3-4 hours.

Itinerary map for Olympic National Park Hiking - Lodge Based

Gear List

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Already booked this trip? Sign into your online traveler profile for a more detailed list of what you'll need.

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We provide

What to pack

Contact Us

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Trip specifics may change over time. Reviews reflect the version of the trip that was active at the time the reviewer took it. Please review the itinerary as described above and call our team for any additional details.