If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing the Pacific Northwest’s towering forests, misty beaches, and mountain peaks all in one trip — Olympic National Park delivers. My mom, my two kids, and I explored it as part of a 10-day semi–road trip through Washington, and it absolutely lived up to the hype.

We flew into Seattle, drove straight to Mount Rainier National Park, took the ferry across to Olympic National Park, and ended our trip back in Seattle. This post covers the Olympic National Park portion of our trip — with links to our Mount Rainier and Seattle itineraries, too.

Flights & Transportation

We flew roundtrip from Kansas City (MCI) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport using our Southwest Companion Pass and points. The total cost for all four of us was just under $45 roundtrip.

Want to do the same? Read Earn the Southwest Companion Pass on Repeat for a step-by-step guide to one of my favorite travel strategies.

For our car rental, I used Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to pay in full. I always book rental cars with my Chase Sapphire Preferred® because it includes excellent primary rental car insurance — one of those underrated travel perks that really matters. You can grab my Rental Car on Points Freebie here for details. Result? $0 rental car cost.

We drove:

• Day 1: Seattle → Mount Rainier (about 2 hours)
• Day 4: Rainier → Olympic National Park via ferry (about 4 hours total including ferry)
• Day 8: Olympic → Seattle (about 4.5 hours)

Stay: Kalaloch Lodge at Olympic National Park

We stayed at Kalaloch Lodge, a remote, oceanfront lodge perched on a bluff above the Pacific. It’s the only coastal lodge within Olympic National Park’s 73-mile protected stretch and is owned by the National Park Service.

• Cost: ~$300 per night
• Booked through: Kalaloch Lodge
• Room type: Cabin with a small kitchen
• Wi-Fi: None (but that’s part of the charm!)

There’s a small grocery/convenience store on-site with a coffee bar and ice cream counter, but selection is limited — we stocked up at Safeway in Port Angeles before driving in.

If you’re after quiet, ocean views, and a family-friendly atmosphere, Kalaloch is perfect.

What to Do in Olympic National Park

You could easily stay at Kalaloch Lodge and never get back in your car — it’s that peaceful. But if you’re up for exploring, here are our favorite stops and hikes:

1. Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center

Drive time: about 1.5 hours from Kalaloch. Parking is very limited, so go early. The moss-covered trails and ferns make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world.

2. Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center

We stopped here on our drive into Olympic. It’s a bit of a detour from the ferry route, but the views of the Olympic Mountains are worth every minute.

3. Sol Duc Falls & Marymere Falls Trail

These are classic Olympic hikes with family-friendly distances and huge payoff views. Each is about 1–2 hours from Kalaloch, so we made them half-day trips.

4. Hole in the Wall Trail

Perfect for low tide! The tide pools here are incredible. Bring waterproof shoes and check tide charts before you go.

Kalaloch Lodge Fun

There’s plenty to enjoy without leaving the property:

• Watch for whales from the cliff overlooking the Pacific.
• Play on the beach or in the creek — the lodge provides a tote full of sand toys for guests.
• Explore tide pools at low tide (some of the best anywhere!).
• Borrow frisbee golf and tetherball equipment from the front desk.

My kids spent hours playing in the creek and hunting for shells — it’s one of the most naturally kid-friendly national parks we’ve visited.

Where We Ate

Most of our meals came from our cabin kitchen, but we had a few standouts along the way:

• Sully’s Drive-In (Forks, WA): Classic burger stop and a must for Twilight fans.
• Creekside Restaurant (at Kalaloch Lodge): We ate lunch on the deck one afternoon — great views and surprisingly good fish tacos.
• Kalaloch Mercantile: Small shop with basic groceries, coffee, and ice cream.

Pro tip: bring your own groceries — think pasta, sandwiches, and easy breakfasts — since restaurants are limited in this area.

What to Pack

The Pacific Northwest weather changes fast! Even in summer, mornings are misty and evenings are cool.
Pack:

• Rain jackets and waterproof shoes
• Layers for 50–75°F swings
• Bug spray and sunscreen
• Downloaded maps (cell service is limited in most of the park)

Cards That Made This Trip Possible

This trip was made possible through points and miles — and I’m so grateful for them every time we travel.

• Flights: Southwest points + Companion Pass
• Rental Car: Chase Ultimate Rewards® points
• Lodging: Paid cash at Kalaloch Lodge and used a bank bonus to cover the cost.

If you’re ready to start traveling this way, check out my beginner guides and related blog posts:

• How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass on Repeat
• How to Book Rental Cars Using Points
• Mount Rainier National Park with Kids: Where We Stayed, What We Did, and How We Used Points to Get There
• Seattle Family Stay + Whale Watching Adventure: Our Points-Fueled Pacific Northwest Finale

If you decide to open a card for traveling with points and miles, I appreciate you using my affiliate links — it’s a free-to-you way to support all the free content I share. Thank you!

Final Thoughts

Olympic National Park completely exceeded my expectations. From the snow-capped peaks to the rainforest to the rocky coast — it feels like three parks in one.

I’ve always wanted to visit the Pacific Northwest, and it totally lived up to the hype. If you’re planning your own Washington road trip, start with Mount Rainier, explore Olympic, and finish with a few days in Seattle. It’s a perfect Pacific Northwest loop you’ll remember forever.