Where to Stay in Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is one of those rare places where the lodging is part of the experience. You can wake up in a historic lodge on the shore of a glacial lake, fall asleep in a remote rainforest cabin, or pitch a tent on a wilderness beach with sea stacks rising out of the fog. The park covers nearly a million acres and three completely different ecosystems (alpine, rainforest, coastal), which means where to stay in Olympic National Park comes down to which ecosystem you want to wake up in.

I’ve been visiting Olympic National Park for years, including going on some of the best hikes in Olympic National Park, backpacking the Ozette Triangle in June with the rainforest dripping all around me, and renting a cabin near Forks as my base for exploring the Hoh Rainforest and the western beaches. So when readers ask me where to stay near Olympic National Park, I have specific opinions based on what they want to see.

The honest answer is that one base usually isn’t enough for the whole park. Olympic is too spread out, with Hurricane Ridge in the northeast, Hoh Rainforest in the west, and Lake Quinault in the south, all hours apart. If you’re tight on time, my one day in Olympic National Park guide walks through how to focus your visit. If you have a week, plan to move bases at least once or build out a full Olympic Peninsula road trip.

This guide breaks down where to stay in Olympic National Park by area, including in-park lodges, hotels in gateway towns, vacation rentals on VRBO, and camping picks. I’ve included where I’ve personally stayed, what I’d book if I were going next month, and how to choose the right area for your trip. For ideas on what to do once you’ve picked your base, see my things to do in Olympic National Park post.

Olympic National Park Updates for 2026

A few things have shifted at Olympic National Park in 2026 that can affect where you stay and what you can access. Here’s what to know before you book your trip:

If you’ve never been to the park before, it’s important to get a sense of just how massive it is. Most people spend at least two or three days vacationing there and still don’t see even a fraction of the park. If you’re coming for a Vancouver weekend getaway, you may want to spend even longer.

That’s why I created the map above so you can see the general area and decide where to stay when visiting Olympic National Park based on the activities you want to do. You may decide to make one place your base for the whole trip or stay in several different places as you move around.

Olympic National Park Lodging at a Glance

Here’s a quick comparison of where to stay in Olympic National Park, organized by area so you can pick your base before reading the deeper picks below:

Lodging	Area	Price Range	Best For
Red Lion Port Angeles	Port Angeles	$$	Hurricane Ridge access, ferry to Victoria
Lake Crescent Lodge	Lake Crescent	$$$	Iconic lake views, history
Log Cabin Resort	Lake Crescent (NE shore)	$$	Rustic cabins, lakefront, families
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort	Sol Duc Valley	$$$	Hot springs, waterfall hikes
Forks Cabin Rentals	Forks / Hoh Rainforest	$$-$$$	Hoh Rainforest, La Push, kitchens
Kalaloch Lodge	Kalaloch (coast)	$$$	Oceanfront cabins, beach access
Lake Quinault Lodge	Lake Quinault	$$$	South-end rainforest, historic lodge
Olympic NP Camping	Multiple campgrounds	$	Budget travelers, RV + tent

Where to Stay in Port Angeles

Port Angeles is the largest gateway town to Olympic National Park and the best base for visiting Hurricane Ridge, taking the ferry to Victoria BC, or doing a string of day trips into the park. It has more restaurants, lodging options, and downtown walkability than any of the smaller towns near the park, and there are plenty of things to do in Port Angeles. From the waterfront, you can see Vancouver Island across the Strait of Juan de Fuca on a clear day.

This is where I’d base myself if you want easy access to Hurricane Ridge, plus a town with real food and shopping.

Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor

I stayed at the Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor for a fall 2022 birthday weekend, and it was a great pick. The hotel sits right on the waterfront with views across the strait, and it’s a short walk to downtown, the city pier, and the Feiro Marine Life Center (the small aquarium right by the water). We walked the pier, checked out the marine life center, and ate at Next Door Gastropub a few blocks away. It was cold and rainy the whole weekend, but being able to walk everywhere from the hotel made the weather a non-issue.

The location is the reason to book here. You’re 25 minutes from Hurricane Ridge, 30 minutes from Lake Crescent, and an hour from Sol Duc, which means you can do a different part of the park each day from the same base. We did Sol Duc Falls and Marymere Falls during that trip, both easy scenic drives in Washington from Port Angeles. The Coho ferry to Victoria is also a 5-minute walk from the hotel, which is a perk if you’re tacking on a Vancouver weekend getaway or a quick day in Canada.

Where to Stay at Lake Crescent

Lake Crescent is one of the most photogenic spots in Olympic National Park, a deep glacier-carved lake with mountains rising straight out of the water on every side. There are two in-park lodging options right on the lake (Lake Crescent Lodge and Log Cabin Resort), plus a few alternatives if those are booked.

I haven’t stayed at Lake Crescent Lodge personally, but I’ve day-tripped to the lake plenty of times from my Port Angeles base, including hiking some of the best trails in Olympic National Park like Marymere Falls and the shoreline paths around the lodge. If you want to spend most of your trip on this side of the park, basing here makes sense. It’s also an ideal location for a family-friendly vacation in Washington

Lake Crescent Lodge

Lake Crescent Lodge is the iconic stay at the lake. Built in 1915, it sits right on the south shore with a stone fireplace, antique-furnished lobby, and a wraparound sun porch overlooking the water. Roosevelt actually stayed here in 1937, the year before he signed Olympic National Park into existence, which gives you a sense of the history.

Rooms range from historic lodge rooms (no TVs, no Wi-Fi, shared baths in some cases) to modern Marymere Rooms in a separate building, to the Roosevelt Fireplace Cabins right on the water (these are the most photographed and book up first), and to the Singer Tavern Cottages. The lodge restaurant serves Pacific Northwest cuisine and is open to the public, which is why I’ve eaten there even when I wasn’t staying.

If you want the classic Olympic National Park lodge experience and don’t mind paying for it, this is the move. Book early, as rooms sell out months in advance for summer.

Log Cabin Resort

Log Cabin Resort sits on the northeast shore of Lake Crescent and is a more affordable alternative to Lake Crescent Lodge. Options include log cabins, A-frame chalets, lodge suites, and RV sites, all with lake views and water access.

The consistent feedback from people I know who have is that it’s quieter, more rustic, and better for families who want to actually use the lake (kayaking, swimming, fishing) rather than just photograph it. Pets are allowed for an extra fee, which is rare at in-park lodging.

Where to Stay at Sol Duc Hot Springs

Sol Duc Valley sits in a deep, mossy pocket of the Olympic rainforest, about an hour west of Port Angeles down a 14-mile road that dead-ends at the trailhead for Sol Duc Falls. It’s one of the more remote parts of the park, but worth the drive – you get a hot springs resort, an iconic waterfall, and an old-growth forest you’ll have mostly to yourself outside of summer weekends.

I haven’t stayed at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort yet (a friend and I are hoping to finally book it this year), but I did the Sol Duc Falls trail during my fall 2022 birthday weekend when I was based in Port Angeles. It was a rainy November day, and we were the only people on the trail when we got to the falls.

It actually started snowing while we were there, which my kids really loved. What I loved about Sol Duc Falls is that you walk on a bridge directly over the top of the waterfall, which is unusual for waterfall hikes in Washington, as most view the falls from below.

Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort

Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is the only lodging in the Sol Duc Valley itself, and it’s the in-park option for travelers who want hot springs as part of their stay. The resort has rustic cabins (some with kitchenettes), three mineral hot springs pools, a freshwater swimming pool, and a restaurant. No TVs, no Wi-Fi, no cell service, which is the whole appeal.

The resort is open from late March through October, so winter visitors can’t stay here. It’s pet-friendly, which is rare for in-park lodging, and the trail to Sol Duc Falls starts just up the road, which means you can hike it before breakfast and then soak afterward. This is on my list to finally do this year.

Pair your Olympic stay with one of my easy hikes in Washington state, most of which are family-friendly and easy to fit into a half-day in the park.

Where to Stay Near the Hoh Rainforest and Forks

Forks is the western base for Olympic National Park, the closest town to the Hoh Rainforest, La Push, Rialto Beach, and the Hall of Mosses Trail. It’s a small logging town that became famous because of the Twilight books, but the real reason to stay here is the access to the rainforest and the wild Pacific coast. If you want to focus your trip on the western side of the park, this is where you base yourself.

I rented a cabin near Forks while I was researching a chapter for my Moon Washington State guidebook in 2024. It was a long stretch of road, days hitting the Hoh Rainforest, the Hall of Mosses Trail, La Push Beach, Rialto Beach, and Forks itself, and the cabin was such a cozy spot to come back to at the end of each day.

The kitchen meant I could cook instead of hunting for restaurants in a small town, and the privacy after spending all day in tourist hotspots was exactly what I needed. The Hoh Rainforest is one of those things you have to see to believe, and it deserves a spot on every Washington bucket list.

A note on 2026: Rialto Beach is harder to access this year because the Mora Road past the campground is closed for storm damage repairs from July through early fall. Second Beach and Third Beach (both accessed directly from La Push) are still open, so the area is very much worth visiting, just with a slightly different itinerary.

Forks Cabin Rentals on VRBO

Cabin rentals are the move in the Forks area. Hotels in town are limited and mostly basic motel-style options, while VRBO has a range of cabins from small one-bedroom retreats to larger family homes, all with kitchens and most with deck space and forest views.

The cabin I’d recommend is this private cabin on 27 acres near the Hoh Rainforest. It sleeps six, has a full kitchen, sits on 27 acres of forest with a one-minute walk to the Hoh River, and is about 45 minutes from the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center. It’s pet-friendly, which matters if you’re bringing a dog (just remember pets aren’t allowed on Olympic National Park trails). With 444+ reviews and a 10/10 rating, it’s the most highly-rated Forks cabin on VRBO.

If you’d rather be right in town, browse Forks VRBO rentals for closer-to-downtown options. The Hall of Mosses is one of the best easy hikes in Washington and a great first stop if you have kids or a beginner hiker in your group.

Pacific Inn Motel

Pacific Inn Motel is the most-recommended hotel in downtown Forks, which is helpful if you want a base with restaurants, gas, and groceries within walking distance. Rooms are basic motel-style but clean and well-maintained, and it’s a budget-friendly option if cabin rentals are out of your range.

Quileute Oceanside Resort (La Push)

If you want to stay right on the beach instead of in the forest, Quileute Oceanside Resort at La Push is the move. The resort sits directly on First Beach with cabins and motel rooms, and it’s run by the Quileute Tribe. This is the closest lodging to Rialto Beach, Second Beach, and Third Beach.

Headed to Mt. Rainier? Check out my guide on where to stay at Mt. Rainier.

Where to Stay at Kalaloch

Kalaloch sits along the rugged southern coast of Olympic National Park, where the rainforest meets the Pacific. It’s a quieter alternative to Forks and La Push, and the lodging here is right on the bluffs above the beach. If you want to wake up to the sound of waves and have direct beach access without crowds, this is your section of the park.

I did stop here to walk the beach and see the famous Tree of Life on a road trip. It’s a Sitka spruce on the bluff just north of the lodge, with its roots exposed over an eroding cliff that looks like it should have toppled a long time ago. Heads up that the tree is in rough shape and may not last much longer, so see it sooner rather than later.

I also walked the beach at Ruby Beach, about 8 miles north of Kalaloch, one of the most photographed beaches in Washington for its sea stacks and driftwood.

Kalaloch Lodge

Kalaloch Lodge is the iconic stay on this stretch of coast. The lodge sits on a bluff directly above Kalaloch Beach with a main lodge building, bluff cabins (the most photographed accommodations in the park, with private decks overlooking the ocean), and additional cabins in the surrounding forest. The lodge restaurant has full ocean views and is open to non-guests, which is what most day-trippers do if they can’t get a room.

The bluff cabins are the ones to book if you can. They sell out months in advance for summer because of the views, the sound of waves at night, and the direct path down to the beach. If those are full, the regular cabins are still a great stay since you’re a 2-minute walk from the same beach.

Where to Stay at Lake Quinault

Lake Quinault sits at the southern end of Olympic National Park and is the gateway to the Quinault Rainforest, one of the park’s most underrated areas. It’s quieter than Hoh Rainforest, gets less tourist traffic, and has a historic lodge right on the water. If you’re driving the full Olympic loop, this is a natural stop on the south end before heading back toward Aberdeen and Seattle.

I’ve stopped at the lodge for coffee before heading across the street to hike, and I drove the full loop around Lake Quinault on a moody, foggy day that felt straight out of a movie. The whole area has a different vibe than the rest of the park, much more rainforest and old-growth, and less coastal-dramatic. If you’re combining Lake Quinault with the rest of the peninsula on a Pacific Northwest road trip, this is the spot to slow down for a night.

Lake Quinault Lodge

Lake Quinault Lodge is the historic stay on the lake. Built in 1926, it’s celebrating its 100-year anniversary in September 2026, which is fitting because the lodge has barely changed since FDR visited in 1937 (the year before he signed Olympic National Park into existence). The lobby has a massive stone fireplace, the back lawn slopes down to the lake, and the dining room has full lake views.

Rooms range from historic lodge rooms in the main building to lakeside rooms with balconies, fireplace suites, and the boathouse rooms right on the water. The lodge is the only major lodging directly on Lake Quinault, so book early for summer weekends.

Black bear with cubs blocking your route + tide racing in = unforgettable backpacking story. That’s gold for the camping section. Here it is with keyword reinforcement throughout:

Camping in Olympic National Park

If you’re traveling on a budget or want the most immersive Olympic National Park experience, camping inside the park is the most affordable option and one of the best ways to wake up in the rainforest, on the coast, or in an alpine meadow. Olympic has 14 developed campgrounds spread across the park, plus extensive backcountry options for backpackers who want to go deeper.

One of my best memories is backpacking the Ozette Triangle, one of the most distinctive backpacking routes in Washington. It’s a 9-mile triangle: 3 miles through the rainforest on a cedar boardwalk to the beach, 3 miles along the coast to your campsite, then 3 miles back through the woods. The catch is that the coastal section has to be timed with the tide, and you can get stuck against the cliffs as the water comes in. Doing it in a Pacific Northwest road trip format with a few days set aside for the trip is the way to go.

On our Ozette trip, we ran into a black bear and two cubs on the coastal section. We had to stop and wait for almost half an hour for them to make their way back into the woods, which was nerve-wracking because the tide was coming in and we weren’t sure we’d make it past in time. We did, but it was close.

Developed Campgrounds in Olympic National Park

The most popular Olympic National Park campgrounds book up months in advance for summer through Recreation.gov. Here are the ones to know:

• Kalaloch Campground – Right above the beach near the Tree of Life. Open year-round, 168 sites, no hookups.
• Hoh Campground – In the rainforest near the Hoh Visitor Center. Open year-round, 72 sites, first-come, first-served, October through April.
• Sol Duc Campground – Along the Sol Duc River near the hot springs. 82 tent sites, 17 RV sites. Open late March through October.
• Mora Campground – Near Rialto Beach. 94 sites, no hookups. Note that Mora Road past the campground will be closed from July through early fall 2026, but the campground itself remains open.
• Fairholme Campground – On the west end of Lake Crescent. 88 sites, open mid-April through October.
• Heart O’ the Hills Campground – Near the Hurricane Ridge entrance. 105 sites, open year-round.
• Ozette Campground – At the trailhead for the Ozette Triangle. 15 sites, open year-round.

Backcountry Camping in Olympic National Park

Backcountry camping in Olympic National Park requires a wilderness permit through Recreation.gov. The most popular routes are the Ozette Triangle (3-day coastal/rainforest loop), the Hoh River Trail (out-and-back to the Blue Glacier on Mt. Olympus), the Enchanted Valley (note that Graves Creek Road is currently washed out, adding 6 miles each way to the trailhead), and the Seven Lakes Basin Loop near Sol Duc.

How to Choose Where to Stay in Olympic National Park

If you’ve made it this far and still aren’t sure, here’s how I’d think through the decision based on what you’re planning. Olympic is too big to base anywhere “central,” so the right pick comes down to which area you’ll actually spend the most time in.

If you want the iconic Olympic National Park lodge experience

Book Lake Crescent Lodge or Kalaloch Lodge. Both are historic, both are right on the water (lake or ocean), and both give you that classic national park lodge vibe with massive stone fireplaces, restaurants, and rooms without TVs. Lake Crescent is more forested and serene; Kalaloch is dramatic and coastal. Pick based on which scenery you’d rather wake up to.

If you want flexibility, kitchens, and better pricing

Book a vacation rental near Forks or on the Olympic Peninsula in general. Cabins on VRBO get you a kitchen, more space, and better nightly rates than the in-park lodges. This is usually what I’d pick for a multi-day trip with kids or anyone who wants to cook a few meals instead of eating out every night.

If you’re focused on Hurricane Ridge

Book in Port Angeles. The Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor is 25 minutes from the Hurricane Ridge entrance and within walking distance of downtown, restaurants, and the Coho ferry to Victoria. Olympic Lodge by Ayres is the more polished alternative.

If you want to base near the Hoh Rainforest

Book a cabin near Forks. The 27-acre VRBO cabin is your best bet for kitchens and space, or you can book the Pacific Inn Motel in town for a budget option. Forks puts you within 45 minutes of the Hoh Visitor Center and offers easy access to La Push beaches.

If you want hot springs as part of your stay

Book Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. It’s the only lodging in the Sol Duc Valley, the resort has direct access to the hot springs pools, and the trail to Sol Duc Falls starts right up the road. Late March through October only, since the resort closes for winter.

If you have just one day in Olympic National Park

Pick one area and base it accordingly. Port Angeles works for Hurricane Ridge, Forks works for Hoh Rainforest and the coast, and Lake Quinault works for the south end.

If you’re traveling on a budget

Book a campground through Recreation.gov. Kalaloch and Hoh are open year-round, Sol Duc is open March through October, and Ozette is the launch point for backpacking. Sites book months in advance for summer, so plan early.

If you’re combining Olympic with the rest of the peninsula

Book at least two different bases. Olympic is too spread out to cover from one spot in less than a week. A common pattern is two nights in Port Angeles (for Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent), then two nights near Forks or Lake Quinault (for the Hoh Rainforest, La Push, Kalaloch, and Lake Quinault). Move bases at least once.

Olympic National Park Lodging FAQ

How far in advance should I book Olympic National Park lodging?

For summer trips (June through September), book in-park lodges (Lake Crescent Lodge, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, Kalaloch Lodge, Lake Quinault Lodge) 6-12 months in advance. They release reservations on rolling windows, and rooms get snapped up quickly for peak summer dates. Vacation rentals on VRBO and hotels in Port Angeles or Forks can usually be booked 2-3 months out, though weekend dates in July and August fill faster. Campgrounds open on Recreation.gov 6 months in advance and book up fast for summer weekends.

What’s the best place to stay in Olympic National Park?

There’s no single best place because the park is too spread out. Lake Crescent Lodge is the most iconic in-park stay for the historic lodge experience. Kalaloch Lodge is the best pick for oceanfront lodging. Forks cabin rentals are the best base for the Hoh Rainforest and the western coast. Port Angeles is the best base if you want a real town with restaurants and easy access to Hurricane Ridge. The right pick depends on which area of the park you’re focused on.

Are there hotels in Olympic National Park?

There are four lodges inside Olympic National Park: Lake Crescent Lodge, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, Kalaloch Lodge, and Lake Quinault Lodge (technically just outside the park boundary but functionally inside). Plus Log Cabin Resort on Lake Crescent. Outside of those, “Olympic National Park hotels” usually means hotels in the gateway towns of Port Angeles, Forks, Sequim, and Aberdeen, all of which sit at the edges of the park.

Where should I stay near the Hoh Rainforest?

The closest base for the Hoh Rainforest is Forks, about 45 minutes from the Hoh Visitor Center. Cabin rentals on VRBO are the best option since hotels in town are limited to motel-style options. The 27-acre VRBO cabin near the Hoh Rainforest is the highest-rated cabin in the area and is pet-friendly.

Are there pet-friendly hotels near Olympic National Park?

Yes, but options are limited. Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is one of the few in-park lodges that allow pets. Log Cabin Resort at Lake Crescent allows pets in some accommodations for a fee. Many Forks cabin rentals on VRBO are pet-friendly (filter for “pets allowed” when searching). Note that pets are NOT allowed on most trails in Olympic National Park, so plan accordingly. For more PNW pet travel ideas, see my guide to dog-friendly vacations in the Pacific Northwest.

Where should I stay for access to Hurricane Ridge?

Stay in Port Angeles. Hurricane Ridge is 25 minutes from downtown Port Angeles via the only road up the mountain. Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor and Olympic Lodge by Ayres are the two most popular picks. Lake Crescent Lodge is also within 45 minutes of Hurricane Ridge if you’d rather base on the lake.

When is the best time to visit Olympic National Park?

July through September is peak season with the warmest weather, longest days, and full lodge availability. June and October are shoulder seasons with cooler weather but fewer crowds. November through May is the rainy season, when most coastal lodges stay open, but Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort closes (late October through late March), and Hurricane Ridge access is weather-dependent. If you’re combining the trip with summer in Seattle, aim for late July through early September for the most reliable weather across both.

Are there vacation rentals in Olympic National Park?

Vacation rentals aren’t located inside the park itself, but VRBO has extensive options in the surrounding towns: Forks, Port Angeles, Sequim, Lake Quinault, and Sekiu. Cabins range from one-bedroom retreats to multi-bedroom family homes, almost all of which have kitchens. Vacation rentals are often the best choice for families or longer stays, since you get a kitchen, more space, and significantly better pricing than in-park lodges.

That’s my full guide on where to stay in Olympic National Park. Whether you’re booking a historic lodge on Lake Crescent, settling into a cabin near the Hoh Rainforest, or pitching a tent above the beach at Kalaloch, the right pick comes down to which area of the park you actually want to wake up in. Olympic is too spread out to cover from a single base in less than a week, so don’t be afraid to split your stay across two areas if your trip is longer than a few days.

Where are you thinking of staying? Let me know in the comments below.