The Olympic Peninsula is a region of Washington state in the far northwestern corner of the contiguous United States. The central Olympic Mountains are framed by the Hood Canal, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Pacific Ocean, and the Chehalis River. This sparsely populated area features long stretches of undeveloped coastline and the rugged wilderness of Olympic National Park.

Cities

The Olympic Peninsula consists of Clallam, Jefferson, and Grays Harbor counties, as well as Mason County west of Hood Canal. Eastern Mason County, including Allyn and Union, is part of the Kitsap Peninsula.

Clallam County

• 1 Forks — Logging town made famous by the Twilight series.
• 2 Neah Bay — On the Makah Indian Reservation, near the northwestern most point of the contiguous United States.
• 3 Port Angeles — County seat and the largest city in the region. A popular base for the national park.
• 4 Sequim — In the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, this town enjoys more days of sunshine than anywhere else in Western Washington.

Grays Harbor County

• 5 Aberdeen and Hoquiam — The "Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula", and the birthplace of grunge music. Together they make the largest metropolitan area in the county at the east end of Grays Harbor Bay.
• 6 Elma
• 7 Moclips — Historic oceanside resort town.
• 8 Montesano — County seat.
• 9 Ocean City
• 10 Ocean Shores — Large beach community popular with tourists.
• 11 Pacific Beach — Historic oceanside resort town.
• 12 Westport — Fishing town known for its beaches, jetty fishing and lighthouse.

Jefferson County

• 13 Port Hadlock-Irondale
• 14 Port Townsend — County seat, and a popular Victorian town with a ferry to Whidbey Island and historic Fort Worden.

Mason County

• 15 Hoodsport
• 16 Potlatch
• 17 Shelton — County seat.

Other destinations

Ruby Beach in the Olympic National Park

• 1 Olympic National Park — Here you will find remote beaches, rainforest valleys, glacier-capped peaks and a stunning variety of plants and animals

Understand

Anderson Glacier, Olympic National Park

The Olympic Peninsula is centered around the Olympic Mountains and the Olympic National Park. To the east it is bordered by the Hood Canal which is one of the largest fiords in the United States. To the north it is separated from Canada by the Strait of Juan de Fuca and to the west it is bordered by the Pacific Ocean.

From Mount Olympus, the highest peak in the Olympic Mountain range, ridges and valleys radiate like spokes on a wheel. A jumble of rugged glacier-capped peaks are decorated with meadows and lakes and scattered subalpine forests, which give way to steep forested slopes ending in broad, U-shaped valleys. The western valleys facing the open Pacific receive up to 15 ft (4.6 m) of rain per year, forming lush temperate rain forests. Along the Pacific Coast are a series of rocky headlands, beaches, tidepools nurturing a living rainbow of colors and textures, off shore sea stacks topped by nesting seabirds and wind-sheared trees-all are a remnant of a wilder America. The highlights of this geography and biodiversity are protected within Olympic National Park.

History

The human history of the peninsula extends over 13,000 years, to the earliest evidence of Paleolithic hunters. Settlements developed from 1,000 to 3,000 years ago can be tied to the peoples that still inhabit the region today.

European explorers first sailed the coast in the late 1700s, and western settlers began to appear soon after. Extractive industry, particularly the harvesting of timber, took hold by the late 19th century. Logging is still an integral part of the regional economy, but there was a growing realization that the nation's forests and game habitats were becoming sparse, and the Olympic Peninsula became an early focus of the conservation movement. The first parcel to eventually become national park was protected in 1897.

Climate

The Olympic Peninsula has a moderate marine climate with pleasant summers and mild, wet winters. The Olympic Mountains, part of North America's western coast range, rise suddenly from sea level to nearly 8,000 feet (2,400 m), intercepting Pacific moisture which is dumped as large amounts of rain. The climate grows wetter from east to west on the Olympic Peninsula. Sunny days are likeliest in July and August. The northeast corner of peninsula, and Sequim in particular, is in the rain shadow of the Olympics and is known for sunny days and minimal rain.

Summers tend to be fair and warm, with high temperatures between 65 °F (18 °C) and 75 °F (24 °C). July, August and September are the driest months, with heavier precipitation during the rest of the year.

Winters are mild at lower elevation, with temperatures ranging from 36 °F (2 °C) at night to 48 °F (9 °C) during the day. Snow is rare at low elevations and melts quickly, however snowfall can be heavy in the mountains, with accumulations of up to 10 feet (3.0 m) common.

Get in

By car

From Interstate 5 (I-5) and Puget Sound:

• Westbound , north of Centralia from Exit #88
• US-101 in Olympia at Exit #104.

• The same highway from Exit 104 of I-5 continues west as State Route (SR) 8, towards Aberdeen, from the junction where US-101 goes northwards towards Shelton.

• SR-16 through Tacoma at Exit #133. Hwy 16 goes across the Narrows Bridge up to Bremerton where it merges into Hwy 3. ($6 toll to cross the Narrows Bridge from Gig Harbor to Tacoma. No toll going the other way.)
• In Mountlake Terrace (follow signs to 'Edmonds Ferry') at Exit #177 (going north) or #178 (going south) on SR-104
• SR-20 in Burlington at Exit #230. Follow Hwy 20 through Anacortes, Deception Pass and down through Whidbey Island to the Coupeville Ferry Terminal

By ferry

From Vancouver Island, British Columbia:

• 1 Black Ball Ferry Line (MV Coho), 101 E. Railroad Ave, Port Angeles, ☏ +1 360-457-4491, toll-free: +1-888-993-3779. Is a passenger and vehicle ferry running between Port Angeles and Victoria, British Columbia across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Crossing time is 90 minutes. Service runs all year except for an annual refit for one week in winter time. In the winter, this ferry runs 2 sailings a day and in the summer up to 4 sailings per day each way are scheduled. Located a block west of Gateway Transit Center, where all public transit bus routes servicing Port Angeles terminate. Fares are US$70.00 for car and driver and US$21.00 per passenger 12 years old and older, US$10.50 for children 5-11 years old, free for children 4 years old and younger. (updated Aug 2022)

From Kitsap Peninsula and Puget Sound:

• Washington State Ferries, ☏ +1 206-464-6400, toll-free: +1-800-843-3779. The nearest ferry terminals to the Olympic Peninsula are:
  Port Townsend from Coupeville on Whidbey Island.
  Bremerton (WA-Hwy 304/Hwy 3) or Bainbridge Island (WA-Hwy 305/Hwy 3) from downtown Seattle
  Kingston from Edmonds (WA-Hwy 104/Hwy 3). Follow WA-Hwy 104 from the ferry terminal up towards the Hood Canal Bridge via Port Gamble. From there continue towards US Hwy 101. (updated Sep 2022)

By plane

There are no major airports in the region.

The nearest domestic airport for commercial flights is Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA ^IATA) near Seattle.

Another nearby commercial airport is Victoria, BC (YYJ ^IATA). Once there, take a ferry to Port Angeles.

There are general aviation airports in Forks and Port Angeles.

By bus

From Sea-Tac Airport and Seattle:

• Dungeness Line (Greyhound Connector), ☏ +1 360 417-0700, toll-free: +1-877-697-6258. Their service coverage is the northern rim of the Olympic Peninsula (Port Angeles, Kingston, Sequim) with a twice daily departure from Sea-Tac and downtown Seattle. $28 to $49 OW depending on how far you're going. 
• Rocket Transportation, ☏ +1 360-683-8087 (Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM; Saturday 10AM-2PM), toll-free: +1 877-697-6258. Their service coverage is to the Olympic Peninsula (Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks) from Sea-Tac. From $66 to $150 one way, 30% discount for additional persons with one full fare passenger. 

Get around

By car

If flying to the region, it is recommended that you rent a roomy, good quality vehicle upon arriving in Seattle. Driving around the peninsula is very enjoyable but can involve long distances.

US Highway 101 is the primary highway around the peninsula. From Olympia (Exit #103 from I-5), it goes west then north along Hood Canal to Shelton and Hoodsport. It turns west through Sequim and Port Angeles. It turns southwards towards Forks and along the coast to Aberdeen.

State Route 8 shortcuts US-101 from Olympia to Aberdeen. From Olympia, continue west along US-101, but do not take the turn off towards Shelton. WA-8 continues west along the Chehalis River. At Aberdeen, it again intersects US-101 at S 'H' Street & W Wishkah Rd west of downtown. Turn left at 'H' and over the bridge to go south on US-101 or follow Wishkah Rd to S Alder to go US-101 North.

US Highway 12 continues westward from I-5 at Exit #88, which is a shortcut towards Grays Harbor if coming from Centralia or anywhere south along I-5. The highway intersects WA-8 at Elma.

& State Route 3/104 turn-off 3mi south of Discovery Bay (WA Hwy 20 turn-off towards Port Townsend) along Hwy 101 connects to the Kitsap Peninsula via floating Hood Canal Bridge.

There are no roads through the Olympic Mountains. Going to opposite corners of the peninsula requires driving around US-101.

By bus

There are four counties in the Olympic Peninsula, each of which operates its own transit network within its county lines. Some buses run to adjacent counties, some only run to the county line, where a connecting bus will wait. (The buses are usually timed for one to arrive several minutes before the next one leaves.) The county lines predate detailed surveying of the region, leading to some baffling boundaries; for example, there is no road connection to the west and east halves of Jefferson County.

The rural routes run infrequently, so plan accordingly. They are not fastest way to get around but are the cheapest for the budget traveler.

• Clallam Transit, ☏ +1 360-452-4511, toll-free: +1-800-858-3747. Operates buses in Port Angeles (Rt #20-24), Joyce (#10), Forks (Rt#14 - 17), Neah Bay (Rt#16), La Push (#15) and Sequim (Rt#30-52) in Clallam County. Connects to Jefferson Transit in Sequim and Forks. $1.00 or $0.50 reduced fare for Medicare card holders and qualified seniors, disabled, youth and low income riders. (updated Sep 2022)

• Bus Route 10 Port Angeles - Joyce
• Bus Route 14 goes around the peninsula from Port Angeles to Forks. Transfer to the Olympic Connector to continue south towards Amanda Mercantile.
• Bus Route 16 Forks - Neah Bay
• Bus Route 30 "101 Commuter" between Port Angeles and Sequim. Transfer to Jefferson Transit #8 from Sequim to Port Townsend.
• Strait Shot 123 Port Angeles and Bainbridge Island Ferry via Sequim, Jamestown, Discovery Bay, Suquamish Way & SR305, and North Viking P&R in Poulsbo. Transfer to Jefferson Transit #8 from Discovery Bay to Port Townsend and onto the Bainbridge-Seattle Ferry into Seattle.
• Hurricane Ridge Shuttle goes up to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic Peninsula from Port Angeles.

• Grays Harbor Transit, 705 30th St, Hoquiam, ☏ +1 360 532-2770. ... operates local buses in Aberdeen & Hoquiam and to Elma, Montessano, Olympia (Rt #40), Centralia (45), Oceanshores (60), Moclips (70), Westport (Rt#55-56), Quinault (#50) in Grays Harbor County. Connects to Intercity Transit and Mason Transit in Olympia and to Jefferson Transit at the Amanda Mercantile,. $1.50 or $1.00 reduced fare for Medicare card holders and qualified seniors, disabled, youth and low income riders. 

• Bus route 40 Olympia, Montessano, Elma, Aberdeen, Hoquiam. Transfer to Intercity buses to Olympia, Tumwater, & Lacey. Rt #620 to Lakewood.
• Bus route 50 Amanda Mercantile,Quinault, Hoquiamm, Aberdeen

• Jefferson Transit. ... operates local buses in Port Townsend (2, 3, 4, 11) and to Brinnon (1), Quilcene, Sequim (Rt #8), Port Ludlow, Poulsbo (Rt #7) and a separate 'Olympic Connector' bus between Forks and Amanda Mercantile along Hwy 101 through Jefferson County. The following routes go up to the county line: Free ride, $8 for #14 bus. 

• Olympic Connector Amanda Mercantile -Forks through Jefferson County. Transfer to Cllalam Transit #14 to Port Angeles and Grays Habor Transit #50 to Aberdeen.
• Bus route 1 Port Townsend to Brinnon (Triton Cove State Park). Transfer to Mason Transit #8 in Triton Cove to continue to Shelton by bus.
• Bus route 7 Port Townsend, Port Ludlow, Poulsbo. Passengers connect to Kitsap Transit #390 from Poulsbo to the Bainbridge Island Ferry
• Bus route 8 Port Townsend, Discovery Bay, Sequim
• Bus route 14 Port Townsend, Kingston Ferry Terminal. Passengers continue on Kitsap Transit's Fast Ferry into downtown Seattle.

• Mason Transit, 790 E Johns Prairie Rd, Shelton, WA 98584, ☏ +1 360 532-2770. ... operates local buses in/around Shelton and to Belfair, Bremerton, & Olympia. Free ride. 

• bus route 1 Shelton-Belfair (NE Clifton Ln @ Bill Hunter Pk)
• bus route 3 Belfair (NE Clifton Ln @ Bill Hunter Pk) -Bremerton Ferry Terminal
• bus route 6 Shelton-Downtown Olympia Transit Center. Transfer to Intercity buses to Olympia, Tumwater, & Lacey. Rt #620 to Lakewood.
• bus route 8 Belfair-Brinnon (US 101 @ Trifton Cove State Park). Transfer to Jefferson Transit #1 to Port Townsend

• The Dungeness Line airport shuttle service also make stops between Port Angeles and Sequim.

There is no bus service to many popular areas of Olympic National Park, including the Hoh Rain Forest. See Getting around the park for advice on using public transit there.

Do

Whitewater rafting the Elwa River

The Olympic Peninsula is an outdoorsy place that offers a wide variety of places to experience nature.

On the water

• Beachcombing is hugely popular along the Pacific Coast. Due to the vast expanses of undeveloped coastline, it is easy to find your own isolated patch to explore. Be aware that sea shells and driftwood are considered part of the natural environment and should not be removed. Be gentle with sea creatures and keep a wide distance away from nesting birds, seals and other shore animals and always put back anything removed from the shoreline.
• Sea kayaking is a sport developed in the Pacific Northwest and the area offers hundreds of miles of convoluted shoreline to explore.
• Scuba diving the cold waters of Pacific Northwest takes a bit more gear and training than warm water locations, but the rewards are incredible. The area contains some of the best diving in the world and many dive sites are completely covered with colorful sea creatures that defy description.
• Whale watching is good along the coast in spring and fall during the Grey Whale migration. Orca whales are also frequently seen. Professional tours are available from Port Angeles and Port Townsend, or check online for recent updates from various whale watching groups.

Cycling

The Olympic Discovery Trail runs along the north edge of the peninsula, from Port Townsend in the east to La Push on the Pacific Ocean. West of Port Angeles is the "adventure" part of the trail, for which a cross-country mountain bike is recommended. The trail is non-technical single track, making it an introductory level XC, challenging but doable on a loaded touring bicycle.

For a multi-day bike tour, look at the Olympic Peninsula Loop.

If you're looking for an organized bike tour of the area, consider the likes of Bike the US for MS which have a week long tour of the area, all whilst pedalling for a good cause.

Hiking

Hiking and backpacking are popular throughout this region. Olympic National Park is a clear choice, but other opportunities can be found nearly everywhere, including the surrounding Olympic National Forest and the state parks.

Eat

Be mindful of the time of day particularly in early summer. Restaurants in remote areas may have limited hours of operation, and reservations are recommended where available.

If traveling by car, consider packing a picnic basket as a contingency measure.

Stay safe

Being on the Pacific Rim means that earthquakes and even tsunamis are an ever-present possibility. Areas along the coast have well-marked tsunami evacuation routes. In the event of an earthquake, follow the routes to seek high ground.

Go next

• Puget Sound – The most populous region of the Pacific Northwest, with the Emerald City of Seattle and the massive Mount Rainier.
• Southwest Washington – Continue down the coast to expansive beaches, or to the explosive Mount St. Helens.
• Vancouver Island, British Columbia – Feel the British flair of the provincial capital Victoria, then get lost in the untamed interior of the Pacific Coast's largest island.