Oregon has always held a special place in my heart, especially after several visits. Two Pacific Northwest road trips meant I had enjoyed all the natural beauty and wonder my eyes could feast on. This, coupled with a drive further north to almost Canada, meant I had a clear lack of expectation for Oregon’s northern neighbor.
I’m sorry, Washington state, but most of what I knew about you was “it always rained in Seattle.” And quite frankly, who wants to be where it always rains? Turns out Washington more than exceeded my expectations.
As an avid reader and the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer being somewhat of a big hit back then, my only desire to visit Washington state was a deep-seated curiosity about the fictional town of Forks. I loved Twilight’s deep teenage angst, and I was quite sure Edward was waiting for me. Right there in Forks. Ultimately, that was all the motivation I needed to make a beeline to Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and the famous Forks Twilight.
With the help of Hotels.com, what we discovered was spellbinding. Majestic rainforests, rivers, lakes, beaches, and mountains. Nature’s wonderland. Too many times I found myself speechless, staring with my mouth gaping, staggered by the magnitude of Olympic National Park.
Oh, and also the world’s freakiest beach is here. As voted by me.
Best Places to Stay Near Olympic National Park, Washington State
When choosing where to stay for your Olympic National Park adventure, think about the kind of experience you want. Towns like Port Angeles and Forks are great bases if you want easy access to both forest and coastline, with plenty of motels, cabins, and B&Bs nearby.
If you want to be closer to the wilderness, there are campgrounds and lodges inside the park, such as Kalaloch Lodge, and near Sol Duc Hot Springs, which put you amid lush rainforest and hot springs. Wherever you stay, book ahead in peak season, and choose a spot that lets you roll straight into hiking trails, beaches, and the unique ecosystems that make Olympic National Park so special.
7 Places To Visit in Olympic National Park, Washington
1. Forks & Port Angeles
You read all about it in Twilight, and Forks really is every bit as nondescript as the movie makes it feel. Except now it has Bella’s pickup truck parked proudly at the Forks Chamber of Commerce, along with a few cafés leaning into their small claim to fame. It’s a town of around 3,700 people, and honestly, the main thing you’ll want to do is stop for a few photos in Bella’s hometown on this Twilight trip. That’s part of the charm, though. You’re not coming for big attractions, you’re coming because it’s Forks.
When it comes to Twilight attractions in Forks, it’s more about scattered stops than major sights. I started at the visitor centre, snapped a photo with the truck, then ticked off places like Bella’s house and Forks high school. It’s very “I’ve read the books, and I need to see this for myself.”
The Cullen house in Forks is actually called the Swan House, and it’s the home that represents Bella’s house in the books and the Cullen family’s residence in fan tours. It’s a real private home, so you can only view it from the street – no public entry – but it’s a must-stop for Twilight fans wanting photos of where Bella lived and where Edward and the Cullens would visit in the story.
It’s easy to include in a self-guided Twilight attractions in Forks tour along with the high school, Bella’s truck at the Chamber of Commerce, Forks Visitor Center, and other iconic spots.
Fans of Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner will get a kick out of it, even though most of the filming didn’t actually happen here. Nearby Port Angeles is another familiar name from the story and is worth a quick stop if you’re passing through. It’s the place where Bella and Edward have dinner for the first time, and she realizes he can read minds. It’s a bit more lively than Forks and a great spot to enjoy lunch on the beach and stay during your time in Olympic National Park, Washington.
What really surprised me is that the magic isn’t in the town itself, it’s in the surroundings. Forks sits in Washington and is known as the rainiest town in America, which gives it that moody Twilight atmosphere. Just outside town, the Hoh Rainforest feels like stepping straight into a scene from the movie, with misty air, moss-covered trees, and even the occasional banana slugs making an appearance. It’s easily one of the highlights of the whole trip and far more memorable than the town itself.
If you have time, I’d also recommend heading out to Sol Duc Hot Springs for a soak. It’s a completely different experience, but a perfect way to break up your Twilight road trip and enjoy more of the natural beauty this part of the world is known for. In the end, Forks might be small and a little underwhelming on the surface, but as a Twilight fan, it still feels like a bucket list stop.
2. Rialto Beach
Rialto is a public beach located on the Pacific Ocean, near the mouth of the Quillayute River near La Push. You’ll recognize those names from Twilight, too. It’s a coastal forest with a spooky tree graveyard scattering the shoreline.
To top off the eerie ambiance, drifting clouds seeped out of the ocean, like ghosts searching for a human host. The salty air was thick and calm, the lack of wind bringing a stillness that made the whole beach just creepy. I could see why it made the perfect backdrop to a fictitious vampire story. And the beach where werewolves roam. This is hands-down the freakiest beach in the world, and if you’re Team Jacob, a must-stop.
3. Ruby Beach
While we are on the topic of ghostly beaches, Ruby Beach takes spot #2 for the world’s freakiest beach. On the western outskirts of Olympic National Park, along the Pacific Ocean is a stretch of coastline called the Olympic Wilderness. Ruby Beach is situated near the Hoh Indian Reservation, about 27 miles south of Forks.
Much like Rialto Beach, Ruby Beach is another otherworldly tree graveyard, covered with large pebbles and spectacular spooky scenery. The kids and I enjoyed seeing all the rock towers made across the beach and adding our very own.
4. Hurricane Ridge
If you head inland, deep into Olympic National Park, you’ll find Hurricane Ridge at an elevation of 1,598 m (5,242 feet). It’s a fairly long drive to the top of the mountain, but the views are more than worth it. The kids and I opted for the shortest hike to the highest lookout and soaked up the panoramic landscape.
5. Lake Crescent
Situated along the main highway at the northern boundary of Olympic National Park, this vast yet tranquil lake will take your breath away. The lake is glacially carved, and the pristine water is deep. You can swim in the iconic blue waters by heading to the west side of the lake at Fairholm Beach.
6. Marymere Waterfall
If waterfalls are your thing, then Marymere should be on our list, as it’s one of the biggest within Olympic National Park. We took a pleasurable 1.6-mile round-trip hike through mossy fern forests with green paths and colossal trees before finding ourselves in front of a 90-foot high waterfall. Surrounded by all that lush, quiet forest made me feel like I was a million miles from civilization.
7. Salmon Cascades
Have you ever seen salmon returning home to spawn? I haven’t and this seemed like a pretty remarkable opportunity. Usually between late September and early October Coho from the Pacific enter the Sol Duc River by means of the Quillayute River and leap, with great determination, over the cascades en route to their desired spawning grounds. And then they die. Maybe don’t stick around for that bit, but take the kids to watch the leaping Salmon make their way up the river.
Best Rental Car Options for Your Olympic National Park Road Trip
For your Olympic National Park road trip, renting a car is essential as there’s no real public transport connecting key spots like the Hoh Rainforest, beaches, and mountain areas. Most people go for a compact or mid-size car to keep costs down, but an SUV is a smart choice if you want extra comfort or plan to explore more rugged areas along the Pacific Coast.
Pick up your vehicle from nearby hubs like Seattle or Port Angeles, book early to lock in better prices, and avoid app-based rentals since reception can be patchy throughout the park.
COVID TRAVEL TIP
2020 hasn’t been the easiest year to travel in, and safety is at the top of everyone’s list. If you are comfortable with traveling, please travel responsibly and within the rules of each destination you visit, being aware that those rules change frequently and may be different from your home country.
If you are traveling in 2020/2021, can I recommend:
- Wear a face mask in countries that require you to do so.
- Bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands on a regular basis.
- Check official websites before your trip for the latest updates on policies, closures, and the status of local businesses.
- Book a hotel with free cancellation in case you need to change your plans at the last minute.
- Choose travel insurance that covers you for COVID.
- Get away to somewhere remote like Olympic National Park to enjoy the ultimate in social distancing.
