Olympic Basecamp Tour
Olympia, WA
5.0 (6 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Pristine Rainforests
- Rugged Coastlines
- Waterfalls
- Wonderful Outdoor Cuisine
- Comfortable Beach Camping
- Fascinating Natural & Cultural History
Description
This Olympic National Park camping tour offers a chance to hike and explore two lush temperate rainforests and the rugged Pacific coastline of the Olympic Peninsula, all while enjoying the comforts of a front-country basecamp right on the ocean. Each day brings new sights and adventures as we discover old-growth forests, dramatic sea stacks, stunning blue-green rivers, ever-changing tide pools, and long stretches of sandy beach right at our campsite. You’ll be free to relax and let us handle everything, allowing you to immerse yourself in this unique region, photograph wildlife, search for elusive banana slugs, identify vibrant wildflowers, or simply unwind on the beach.
Each morning, we’ll embark on a variety of select day hikes to explore the incredible ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest, rich in cultural and natural history, breathtaking views, and remarkable biodiversity. From glacier-fed rivers and towering western red cedar forests to steep sea cliffs carved by the ocean, we’ll have the opportunity encounter whales, otters, bald eagles, and more! In the afternoons, we’ll return to our camp along the Pacific Ocean to unwind—whether that means swimming, reading on the beach, or strolling along the bluff. At night, we’ll savor a delicious outdoor meal as we watch the sun set over the ocean, followed by a cozy campfire where we can share stories of our daily adventures.
$2030 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip follows well-maintained trails through the rainforests; the hikes along the beach are on soft, loose sand, hard-packed sand, or small rocks, depending on the tides; some rocks along the beach may be slippery as they are often wet and/or covered in algae or seaweed. Depending on the specific trails chosen by the guide(s), some short sections on the beach may require upper body strength for stabilizing or climbing over and around large boulders or climbing up and down steep headlands using fixed ropes. These sections are not required for any of the hikes, but are optional based on the interests and abilities of the group.
Hiking Distances:
2-8 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Lightly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
1770 ft
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 5-7 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on lightly rugged terrain
- Depending on the hikes decided on by your guide(s), climbing around steep headlamps using ropes (optional)
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Olympic and Rainier hiking tour a solitude 2. You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time.
MINIMUM OF 2 GUESTS
If a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 4-6 weeks before the departure date, and notify guests of changes and options immediately.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 1.75
- 4-5 People: Rate x 1.5
- 6-8 People: Rate x 1.25
- 9-12 People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person
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Itinerary
Day 1
- Shuttle to the trailhead: 3 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1770 feet
- Elevation Loss: 1770 feet
- Accommodations: Kalaloch Beach Campground
This multi-day Olympic National Park tour begins with a pickup at your hotel in Olympia, followed by a scenic drive to the Olympic Peninsula. We’ll travel west through picturesque farmland and historic logging towns before arriving at Lake Quinault and the remarkable Quinault Rainforest, known as the “Valley of the Giants.” This region is home to six conifer trees recognized as the largest living specimens of their species.
After following the East Fork Quinault River, we’ll leave the van behind to venture further up the river valley on foot. Gradually, we’ll climb through towering Sitka spruce trees, abundant moss, ferns, and wildflowers as we ascend a small ridge. The trail then descends back to rejoin the East Fork Quinault River, where its blue-green waters cut through a narrow gorge. We’ll stop to take in the stunning views while crossing Pony Bridge, enjoy a delicious picnic provided by your guide(s), and relax along this serene river.
Once we’ve explored the rainforest to our heart’s content, we’ll retrace our steps back to the van and continue our journey to the Pacific Ocean, where we’ll set up camp at a scenic site perched on a small bluff overlooking the ocean.
Day 2
- Shuttle to Trailhead: varies (up to 1 hour each way)
- Hiking Mileage: 4-8 miles
- Elevation Gain: ~400 feet
- Elevation Loss: ~400 feet
- Accommodations: Kalaloch Beach Campground
On day 2, after a hearty breakfast at camp, we’ll set out for a day of exploration along the stunning beaches of the Pacific Ocean. This stretch of protected coastline within Olympic National Park boasts some of the most pristine and untouched coastal areas in the U.S. Here, you’ll encounter pounding waves, rugged cliffs, and towering sea stacks, as well as tidal pools brimming with marine life.
We’ll have plenty of time to play in the surf, hike along sandy and pebble-strewn beaches, soak in sweeping views, and explore intimate tidal pools—all while keeping a sharp eye out for large marine mammals. This area truly has something special for everyone!
Your guide will provide a delicious lunch on the beach or trail, and we’ll wrap up our fun-filled day with a beach BBQ or gourmet dinner around a campfire, all while enjoying the breathtaking sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
Day 3
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 1 hour
- Hiking Mileage: 4-6 miles
- Elevation Gain: minimal
- Elevation Loss: minimal
- Accommodations: Kalaloch Beach Campground
On Day 3, we’ll hop in the van after breakfast and head north to the renowned Hoh Rainforest. With over 140 inches of rain annually, this is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the nation, featuring ancient trees that tower up to 300 feet, moss-draped nurse logs, incredible biodiversity, and abundant wildlife.
We’ll hike along the wild Hoh River, immersing ourselves in the beauty of the rainforest. As we explore, we may encounter elk, deer, black bears, bald eagles, fascinating banana slugs, and more. The immense cushions of moss absorb sounds, adding to the Hoh River’s reputation as “The Quietest Place in the U.S.”
After enjoying another gourmet trail lunch and soaking in the sights, we’ll make our way back to the trailhead and return to camp for our final dinner by the ocean.
Day 4
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 1 hour
- Hiking Mileage: 4+ miles
- Elevation Gain: minimal
- Elevation Loss: minimal
- Shuttle to Olympic: 3 hours
On our final day, we’ll pack up camp and head north to the Quileute Indian Reservation and the village of La Push, WA. Just north of this tribal center and across the Quillayute River lies Rialto Beach, where we’ll embark on a hike along the ocean. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for whales, sea lions, otters, and various sea birds, while offshore waves crash against stunning sea stacks and small islands like Gunsight Rock and James Island.
After a couple of miles, we’ll reach the iconic Hole-in-the-Wall, a rocky arch shaped by the relentless waves crashing against the sea cliffs. If the tide is low, we can climb through the arch to explore the other side, or take the overland trail for sweeping views of the coastline.
We’ll savor a final picnic lunch, keeping an eye out for any last wildlife sightings as we make our way back to the car. A three-hour drive will bring us back to your hotel in Olympia, where we’ll say our goodbyes, cherishing the memories of an unforgettable four days!
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Top-of-the-line tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and day pack
- Use of trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Olympia and back
- All entrance fees, permits and passes
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
- Mandatory 3% national park fee that passes through directly to Olympic NP
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
- Sierra Designs, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware sleeping bags
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own down sleeping bag, there are multiple benefits. If not, we’ve got you covered!
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact approximately 10 days before your trip start date.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Olympia, WA.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Olympia
The most common way to reach Olympia is by flying into Seattle and renting a vehicle or shuttling to Olympia (approximately 1 hour). SeaTac (Seattle-Tacoma) Airport is one of the most easily accessed destinations in the country. Many major cities in the United States and internationally offer direct flights into Seattle.
The shuttle to Olympia is provided by Premier Airport Shuttle. Go to https://premierairportshuttle.com/olympia/ or call 800-962-3579 to make reservations.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Weather in Olympic National Park
This trip covers a diversity of terrain from seashores to rainforests. The weather will be largely dependent on which ecosystem you’re hiking in at the moment, so it’s best to be prepared for a range of temperatures and conditions. Read below for average high and low temperatures in different parts of the Pacific Northwest:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | ||||||||
|
Month
|
Coast
|
Rainforest
|
||||||
|
hi
|
low
|
Precip
|
hi
|
low
|
Precip
|
|||
|
May
|
61°
|
44°
|
5.8 in
|
63°
|
45°
|
4.9 in
|
||
|
June
|
65°
|
49°
|
3.8 in
|
67°
|
48°
|
3.9 in
|
||
|
July
|
68°
|
52°
|
2.8 in
|
74°
|
51°
|
2.1 in
|
||
|
August
|
69°
|
52°
|
2.8 in
|
75°
|
52°
|
2.2 in
|
||
|
September
|
66°
|
49°
|
4.4 in
|
69°
|
49°
|
4.7 in
|
||
Accommodations
Premier Campgrounds
3 NIGHTS
On our basecamp tours we hand pick wonderful campgrounds that put us right in the action for exceptional hiking and camping vacations. They may be national park, state park, or private vehicle-accessible campgrounds. They may vary by trip date depending on availability and seasonality.
Fantastic Meals
11 MEALS
Basecamp trips include meals for the duration of the tours beginning with breakfast the first day through lunch the final day. Meals are prepared by your guide(s) using fresh ingredients, exclusive Wildland recipes, and we adhere to all department of health outdoor cooking codes.
Comfortable Camping
CAMPING AMENITIES
What amenities do basecamp tours include? Cold and hot drinks, campfires (where/when allowed), camp chairs, fresh food, roomy tents, comfortable sleeping pads, comfy sleeping bags, camp pillows and more! Camp comfortably, eat like royalty, and hike til your heart’s content!
Trip Reviews
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- Most recent
- LOW - HIGH
- HIGH - LOW
Fran F
Unforgettable Trip
This 4-day hiking-camping trip could not have been better. We lucked out with a terrific guide who I would follow anywhere, plus a great group of people of all ages --23 to 75-- who were just plain fun to be with. I was the only one who had camped before, but the others caught on fast. The gorgeous scenery and perfect weather made for an unforgettable trip, but it was the positive chemistry that the five of us shared that made it really unique. The challenge of the hiking was at the right level for all of us, who were in good shape, so no one felt like a laggard. Great experience!!
Denise B
Wonderful Trip
I just came back from my in based hiking trip in Olympic National Park. Our guide Daniel was very informative, prepared and passionate about what he does. I would recommend this trip to anyone.
Sarah A
Another Amazing Trip
Rach was an amazing guide! She cooked great meals, provided awesome information about the landscape along the trails, and she was just a joy to be around. She has a vast knowledge of foraging and also is a mountaineer. We truly enjoyed our time with Rach and would recommend anyone do a trip with her. Definitely will be reaching out to her when we are back in the area. Thanks for another amazing trip, Wildland!
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