Wild and almost otherworldly, Ruby Beach is where the PNW shows off everything it does best…read more From the moment you take the short walk down from the parking lot, you know you're in for something special. Massive sculptural sea stacks rise along the shoreline, rugged and dramatic. The beach is strewn with driftwood, some pieces arranged so naturally they feel like art instillations. Its name comes from the subtle reddish mineral flecks in the sand, which glow beautifully when the sun hits them. We loved exploring this area, and it's absolutely a must-stop if you're anywhere near Forks. Vault restrooms are available just off the parking lot; they're basic and don't have running water. Because this beach is part of Olympic National Park, you'll need to pay the daily entrance fee or better yet, grab an America the Beautiful Pass for access to all national parks. I wouldn't recommend walking barefoot or swimming here. The water stays around 45-55°F year-round, the waves are powerful, and the surf can be unpredictable. This is a place to admire, wander, and soak in the wild beauty of the coast.

Wow, this beach is probably one of most breathtaking beach in WA, besides Ecola and Cannon Beach!…read moreThere is a hike to get to the water, but its well worth the journey. The pools and driftwood make this even more magical to visit. The park was very clean trash free. This was a quick stop but well worth it!

We stayed at the campground here as we made our way through the Olympic NP. This was a great place…read moreto stay! It's not too large and was relatively quiet, although some sites are kind of close to the main road and might get some traffic noise. The sites are located in a beautiful forest with large trees, moss and mushrooms, and a river adjacent. They all have a picnic table and a fire pit, although we were there during a fire ban. There are nice clean bathrooms with shower stalls. I really loved that this campground had some small trails through and near it, and I loved walking down to the river at the end of the day. It was really beautiful! The whole campground is gorgeous and we had a great time.

Bad campsites. There are boulders placed "decoratively" as hazards. I've camped at the nearby…read moreNational Park and this State Park does not have it's beauty.

Definitely a magical place to visit! Large parking area, and a very easy stroll through the forest…read more Lots of moss everywhere which is so neat to see, but apart from here, you'll see moss throughout the park. A quick stop here probably about an hour and if you map out your driving, it's close enough to a lot of other amazing spots at the park!

I wish I could spend my days frolicking in the forest. I seriously was so sad to leave! We have…read moregorgeous forests in Colorado, but this was so spectacularly different. It felt like I was in a whole different country. I'm back in May and I'm counting down the days until I can come frolic again :)

Another beautiful rainforest in Olympic Park. Good parking, easy walking path and picnic tables. We…read morewalked down to the lake, it was a easy path. We did drive the 3 mile ring around the lake. You will see watefalls, beautiful lakes and wildlife. The air was so refreshing and clean. We timed this trip, to make sure it wasnt over run with tourist. We walked to the ranger station, and walked around the musuem. This was a nice stop as well. I loved all the totem poles! @noirvedanaturals

"Valley of the Rain Forest Giants"…read more I spent the last day of my trip to Washington in the Quinault Valley next to Lake Quinault. Quinault is located in the southwestern area of Olympic National Park. One way to experience this Valley is to drive the scenic 30 mile loop drive around Lake Quinault, up the Quinault River into Olympic National Park, and back around the other side. There are opportunities to see waterfalls and wildlife on this drive. I personally like to get out of the car and experience nature in person on a hike. In this Valley is the Quinault Rain Forest. This forest is a temperate rain forest that receives an average of 17 feet of rain per year. The Quinault Rain Forest is known for its lush, moss-covered trees and ferns. The Quinault Rainforest Nature Loop is a short easy hike that allows you to get up and close to this rain forest. The trail takes you through an old-growth forest all the way down to Willaby Creek. You can go either way to start the loop hike. Along the way, you will see massive trees, nurse logs, a small waterfall and lots of moss. I personally enjoyed all of the different colored Hydrangea everywhere. There are lots of things to discover on this trail. You might even spot some wildlife. This was my first visit to this area. I decided to stop at the Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station first to learn more about the Quinault Valley. There was a park ranger on hand that answered my questions about the Quinault Rain Forest and how to get to my hotel. He gave me a paper map of some of the nearby hiking trails. You can also pick up a map at Quinault Lodge.

lovely hike - wide and mostly flat path until the steps to the falls viewing area. ample parking…read moreand close to path leading to lake crescent lodge which has a nice dining room overlooking the crystal blue lake.

I chose this hike because my mother was with me and doesn't have a lot of stamina. The hike is only…read moreabout a mile each way and it's fairly flat right up until the very end, where there is suddenly a pretty steep staircase. My mom made it to the staircase but didn't want to go up, and unfortunately you can't see the waterfall unless you go up. However, there's a cute bridge and little creek right at the bottom there where a lot of other families and older folks had stopped and it's still very enjoyable just to hang out there! If you do go up the stairs, it's only about 4 or 5 flights and then you're at the lookout right by the waterfall. It's quite pretty! Tbh one of my fav things about this trail though was an absolutely MASSIVE and photo-op worthy mossy tree near the beginning of the trail just after you cross under the road. Really liked that! Overall - if you want a shorter, easier walking trail, this is a good one up to the staircase! You can also forgo the whole walk and just take a lap around the lake near the trailhead to see wildflowers and pretty sights.

Firstly, several of these reviews are for the wrong hot springs. If a review mentions a restaurant,…read moreor a resort, or a time slot, they are referring to the SOL DUC hot springs, not these ones. Also, the reviews that mention that the hike is easy are all outdated! It's a slog to get there! The Olympic hot springs are a 12 mile hike mostly uphill. It used to be a much shorter hike but about five years ago the road washed out and you now have to hike an extra 8 miles... 12 miles total... one way. It's a slog! The springs themselves, while pretty, are shallow, muddy, slimy, and overall pretty gross. The signs warn of fecal bacteria. If you're hoping to hike 12 miles to soak in pristine pools, think again. Nudity is common. If anyone is actually using the hot springs, they will likely be nude. Get over it!! Let the nudists have their place... and 12 miles deep in the woods is a nice place to be nude. You might also see nudists hiking or biking on the trail to the hot springs. It's not common but does happen occasionally. Just smile and say hi! The hike starts off easy on a paved road for about 3/4 of a mile. Then you have to use a single-track dirt bypass trail that is steep and rooty. If you're using a bike you'll be pushing and carrying it over things. Then you're put back on an old paved road again. It's another 2 miles to the Glines Canyon overlook which is fun to see. Then it's another 5 miles on the same road, but now 100% uphill and sometimes steep, just to reach the trailhead. Once at the trailhead, you're already over 8 miles into it and you have another 2.5 or so to hike... bikes not allowed. You have to park at the Madison Falls parking lot. You're supposed to have a National Park pass.

Enchanted springs in enchanted forest, I have camped here quiet a bit when in college…read more Most special hot springs on earth to me. Hike is fun not too strenuous

Another great National Park! Its enormous, you cant see it all in one week. I would definitely map…read moreit out. I read alot of reviews and decided to go wth the recommended spot this trip. I have no problem saving my list for another trip next yr. Make sure you grab a map at the visitor center, they are very helpful. Dont miss Hoh Rainforest, I have already reviewed this park. Hope you all take some time and enjoy the USA parks. So much beauty to enjoy!

My fiancé and I had the most magical time exploring Olympic National Park. If you know me, you know…read morethat I'm an avid fan of NPS. I love to visit and collect brochures from the parks we visit. Checking out this park was such a treat. I especially adored how different each section felt of this park. Each highlight of the park felt wildly different from each other. Here's what we visited (I suggest checking it all out) : Lake Cushman: Our first day at the park we decided to do a quick stop to check the lake out. We didn't go on any hikes, but we met a kind retired ranger at a viewpoint that shared Staircase was the hike to do there. Hurricane Ridge: Go early to visit this one because it gets PACKED. It's absolutely stunning and beyond gorgeous. You're surrounded by mountains and every point on the hike is a fun viewpoint. At certain angles you can see Canada and Port Angeles. There is a lot of parking here and restrooms. Kalaloch Beach: There are several beaches and entrances to this spot. We went to Kalaloch Beach 3 and had a really pretty hike down to the beach. We saw some starfish on our walk. We also saw people fishing. My grandmother who grew up here recommended checking out this beach and I'm so glad we did. Hoh Rainforest: Another really popular spot that you'll want to show up early to. There is a visitor center attached to this. It's a fairly easy loop. The trees are amazing here. Sol Duc: It was POURING when we visited this spot. It really added to the whole experience though. This hike through the forest was majestic. And the waterfall at the end made it extra special. While we weren't able to take advantage of the hot springs further up the road (before Sol Duc trailhead), I recommend scheduling a time to visit after some hiking. This park is HUGE. And filled with endless beauty. We barely scratched the surface. I'd recommend making sure your trip is at least three days. We bought the $80 annual pass for our trip since we went in and out of the park a lot. I highly recommend visiting this national gem.

The Tree of Life is one of the most magical natural wonders I've ever seen. Tucked away along the…read morerugged coastline near Kalaloch, this tree looks like something out of a fairy tale. Its massive roots are completely exposed, suspended in the air over a small cave, yet it continues to thrive against all odds. Standing beneath it, you can really feel the power of nature's resilience--it's a reminder of strength, beauty, and survival. The backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and the crashing waves make the view even more breathtaking. It's easy to access from the nearby Kalaloch campground, and definitely worth the short walk down to the beach. Whether you're into photography, nature, or simply want to witness something awe-inspiring, the Tree of Life is unforgettable. If you're visiting Olympic National Park, this is a must-see stop.

Outside of not being completely sure initially I was looking at the correct wind tortured tree it…read morewas an easy walk to the beach. The tree is huge. It's roots are exposed because of the cave and erosion. Worth the sand in your shoes to check it out.