Olympic National Forest

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Starting at the Storm King Ranger station this strenuous but short (2ish miles) hike starts off flat and continues straight up 2000 ft to get this view of Lake Crescent! This was taken a little ways down from the top, to reach the peak you have to climb up the side of a slippery mountain using a 6 sets of ropes. We made it up one and turned back as we did not feel safe but lots of others were continuing up.

Magic in the Forest 🌳🍄💦 #colorful #nature #hiking

The salmon were running while we were at Sequim, and in this extremely dry year, a lot of them weren't getting very far.

I ran across a group which had puddled in a shallow depression on one bank of the river, and it was absolutely clear that they were never going to get out.

You think of the titanic struggle these creatures have to endure over the hundreds of miles that bring them back to this place, and at the end, it is only the blindest of luck that allows them to finish their journey.

But they are compelled to do so from birth, and the choice is not theirs to make.

The temptation is great to adopt it as a metaphor for the whole stinking lot of us, but that just cheapens the thing.

This is their struggle, pure and simple. What defines them and governs their survival.

I took it in somberly, and with a little awe, knowing full well I was essentially watching them die.

Visit Olympic National Forest

Activities

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Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.

The Edgewater Hotel

Downtown Seattle

￥233,884

per person

May 1 - May 5

found 1 day ago

Roundtrip flight included

Tokyo (TYO) to Seattle (SEA)

9/10 Wonderful! (1,108 reviews)

Everyone was so warm and helpful and the room was gorgeous! I can’t wait to come back.

Reviewed on Feb 16, 2026

1 Hotel Seattle

Downtown Seattle

￥311,012

per person

Mar 26 - Mar 31

found 23 hours ago

Roundtrip flight included

Tokyo (HND) to Seattle (SEA)

9.2/10 Wonderful! (165 reviews)

Everything was excellent!

Reviewed on Feb 15, 2026

Lotte Hotel Seattle

Downtown Seattle

￥276,868

per person

May 1 - May 5

found 1 day ago

Roundtrip flight included

Tokyo (TYO) to Seattle (SEA)

9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,000 reviews)

Beautiful room with an incredible view for sunset.

Reviewed on Feb 19, 2026

Popular places to visit

Church Creek West Trailhead

You can take time to visit Church Creek West Trailhead during your travels to Montesano. Stroll along the waterfront or experience the area's festivals.

Church Creek East Trailhead

You can take time to visit Church Creek East Trailhead during your travels to Hoodsport. Wander the lakeside and forest while you're in the area.

Church Creek Shelter Trailhead

You can take time to visit Church Creek Shelter Trailhead during your travels to Hoodsport. Wander the lakeside and forest while you're in the area.

Spider Lake Trailhead

You can take time to visit Spider Lake Trailhead during your travels to Hoodsport. Amble around the area's lakeside or experience its entertainment venues.

Skokomish Upper - Lower South Fork Trailhead

You can take time to visit Skokomish Upper - Lower South Fork Trailhead during your travels to Hoodsport. Amble around the area's lakeside or experience its entertainment venues.

Working Forest Interpretive Trailhead

You can take time to visit Working Forest Interpretive Trailhead during your travels to Montesano. Amble around the area's waterfront or experience its festivals.

Best Lodging Options Near Olympic National Forest

Check availability on hotels close to Olympic National Forest

Hood Canal, 1930's Beach Cottage, 315' Cove with Oysters!

Hoodsport WA

Lake Quinault Lodge

345 S Shore Rd Quinault WA

Relaxing Cabin Adjacent Olympic National Park / Forest & Beautiful Lake Cushman!

Hoodsport WA

Cozy cabin at Lake Cushman in Hoodsport, WA with AC, Wi-Fi, kayak, beach

Hoodsport WA

Staircase Rapids Retreat at Lake Cushman, Sleeps 6

Hoodsport WA

Camp Wolf at Lake Cushman

Hoodsport WA

Luxurious Cabin Style Lake House walking distance to Lake Cushman

Hoodsport WA

Lake Cushman Escape: Kayaks & Arcade, Pet Friendly Stay!

Hoodsport WA

Gorgeous Lake View! HotTub & FirePit & Lake access & King beds

Hoodsport WA

See all 1,511 properties in Olympic National Forest

Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.