Olympic Inn-Based Tour
Seattle, WA
4.9 (9 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Rugged Coastlines
- Lush Rainforests
- Alpine Views
- Historic Lodges
- Iconic & Obscure Hikes
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
Description
This tour is an opportunity to experience the very best that the Olympic Peninsula has to offer, with a perfect balance of challenge and comfort. From high alpine ridges and wildflower-studded meadows to dramatic waterfalls; from moss-draped giant trees to rugged beaches…this trip has it all. And to top it off, we’ll stay and dine at a historic National Park lodge on beautiful Lake Crescent, along with outdoor dining experiences prepared by your guide.
Day by day highlights include a ridge traverse 5,500 feet above sea level, a long but moderate coastal hike to Shi Shi beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and finally a hike through the famous Hoh Rainforest, with some of the largest and oldest trees in Washington.
$1490 Per Person
$250 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Our difficulty ratings are based on a scale of 1-5, tours with a rating of 1 being least difficult, tours with a rating of 5 being most difficult
- Backpack Weight:
- 10 pounds
- Daily Hiking Distances:
- 4-8 miles
- Most Elevation Loss:
- 1000 feet
- Most Elevation Gain:
- 1000 feet
- Quality of Trails:
- Well maintained
- Additional:
- This trip follows mainly well maintained trails and requires carrying a light (~10lbs) day pack.
Participants should:
- be active and healthy
- exercise several times per week
- be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles per day in hilly or mountainous terrain
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Olympic National Park hike a solitude 2. You can expect to have as much as an hour of solitude at a time.
Learn More about our Rating SystemThe 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 Capital Aeroporter and costs $30-$45 per person each way. Go to www.capair.com/olympia or call 800-962-3579 to make reservations.
Washington State does not charge sales tax on services, so there is no sales tax for this trip.
All trips in Olympic National Park have a 3% fee required by the National Park Service. This fee is applied when your reservation is made and is passed through directly to the national park.
There are no other taxes or fees associated with this trip. Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) with any questions!
Private Trips
Traveling in perfect company is a wonderful thing! With our private trip offerings you can book a trip exclusively for your group. Whether it’s with family, friends or colleagues, private trips are a fun and enriching way to explore the outdoors.
Private trip pricing is based on a sliding scale, depending on the number of people in your party. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax and national park fees (where applicable) or guide gratuity. Give us a call at 800-715-HIKE to get the ball rolling!
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2
- 3 People: Rate x 1.5
- 4 People: Rate x 1.15
- 5+ People: Rate x 1
*all rates are per person and single supplements apply
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsItinerary
Day 1
- Shuttle to the trailhead: 3 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 3-5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 600-1000 feet
- Elevation Loss: 600-1000 feet
- Accommodations: Lake Crescent Lodge
This Olympic National Park hiking tour begins with pick up at your hotel in Olympia. Our first day features a scenic drive out to the Olympic Peninsula and then a hike along the alpine wonderland of Hurricane Ridge.
To start we’ll drive north along the Hood Canal, with beautiful early morning views of the islands and narrow of Puget Sound, before reaching Port Angeles and climbing up to Hurricane Ridge. After soaking up the views from the Visitor’s Center, we’ll leave the crowds behind and begin our ridge hike. On a clear day, to our north, we can see across the Straits of Juan de Fuca to Vancouver Island and beyond.
After ample playtime in these extraordinary mountains, we’ll drive back down to sea level and to our accommodations at Lake Crescent Lodge, a century-old hotel filled with charm and history. Showers and beds await, as well as opportunities for shorter hikes just out the back door. Or you can just lounge and enjoy the lakefront views! Weather permitting, we’ll enjoy an outdoor dinner on the shore of Lake Crescent, prepared by your guide.
Day 2
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 1.5 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 4-8 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 200 feet
- Accommodations: Lake Crescent Lodge
On Day 2, after breakfast prepared by your guide, we’ll head west towards Neah Bah and the Makah Reservation. After parking near our trailhead, we’ll descend through coastal forests for two miles until we reach Shi Shi Beach, one of the most dramatic and beautiful beaches that Washington has to offer. Pounding waves, rugged cliffs, and towering sea stacks await, as well as tidal pools filled with unique marine life.
We’ll soak up sweeping views of the Pacific coastline, and if the tide is in our favor, explore intimate tidal pools crawling with sea creatures near where the trail joins the beach. If we have time we’ll continue southward along the expansive Shi Shi Beach towards the iconic Point of Arches. Your guide will serve you a gourmet lunch on the beach and, eventually we will bid farewell to the ocean and head back to the vehicle. On our drive back we’ll have a chance to stop by the famous Makah Museum and learn more about the cultural history of the Makah people. Our amazing day ends at our warm and cozy lodge to clean up for a wonderful, hand-picked restaurant dinner.
Day 3
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 1.5 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 4-6 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: minimal
- Shuttle to Olympia: 3.5 hours
On day 3 we’ll say farewell to our lodge, load up our bags, and head southwest towards the famous Hoh Rainforest. With over 140 inches of rain per year, this is one of the nation’s largest temperate rainforests, and includes ancient trees towering up to 300 feet in height, moss-draped nurse logs, incredible biodiversity, and abundant wildlife.
We’ll hike up the wild Hoh River and explore all that the rainforest has to offer. Elk, deer, black bears, bald eagles, fascinating banana slugs, and more await us as we investigate this incredible ecosystem. Immense cushions of moss absorb sounds, contributing to the Hoh River’s title as “The Quietest Place in the U.S.”
When we’ve had our fill of hiking, and of one last gourmet trail lunch, we’ll make our way back to the trailhead and head farther west. Our return drive to Olympia will take us on scenic Highway 101 along the coastal section of Olympic National Park, providing stunning final views of the Pacific Ocean before turning east. We’ll drop you back at your hotel in Olympia, having circumnavigated the entire Olympic Peninsula and explored the best it has to offer!
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.
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
- 2 nights of lodging (double occupancy) at Lake Crescent Lodge (Lodging Details)
- Top-of-the-line daypack and trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- A professional, knowledgeable, certified Olympic National Park hiking guide
- Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Olympia, Washington to Olympic National Park and back
- Entrance fees and national park permits
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and satellite phone
- You will receive a Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and kids to a lifetime discount of 10% off any Wildland Trekking hiking trip after your first one!
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (Oboz hiking shoes and boots recommended)
- 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
We provide all your meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the last day. Your guide will prepare breakfasts and lunches with a variety of hot and cold meals that are appropriate for the day’s activities. Feel free to tell us about your food preferences, as we’re more than happy to tailor the menu to your needs/desires. For dinners, we’ll visit local restaurants you’re sure to enjoy!
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Leki or Black Diamond trekking poles
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
What Gear to Bring
We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. These items are two 1-liter water bottles per person and basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent (where and when applicable), lip balm, and toiletries are also important. All of these items are available online at Wildland Trekking Outfitters.
What Clothes to Bring
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with detailed guidance about what clothes to pack (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, and our recommended clothing system. A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are also required. All of these items are available online at Wildland Trekking Outfitters.
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!
We Do We Meet?
This trip originates in Olympia, Washington. Your guide will be in contact approximately 10 days before the trip start date to coordinate the pre-trip orientation, which will be at 5:00 PM at the Hotel RL Olympia (we recommend staying here as well – mention you’re hiking with us and get a discounted rate as low as $99, 360-943-4000). If you’re staying at the Governor Hotel (our other recommended hotel, 20% discount), we’re happy to pick you up for the orientation. Your guide will then pick you up at your hotel the next morning for transport to the trailhead.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
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 no later than 7 PM.
Safety Considerations
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 no later than 7 PM.
Safety Considerations
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. We’ve developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency, and most tours carry a satellite phone. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Guides
Your tour will be led by a trained, experienced professional with a solid guiding background, years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
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.
Group Size and Age Restrictions
The standard group size on this trip is 6 guests and 1 guide, with a maximum of 9 guests and 2 guides. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) and we’ll answer all your questions.
Age restrictions 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
Olympic National Park covers a dramatic diversity of terrain from seashores to rainforests to alpine peaks and glaciers. The weather will be largely dependent on which trip you sign up for and which ecosystem you will be hiking in. Read below for average high and low temperatures in different parts of Olympic National Park:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | ||||||||
|
Month
|
Coast
|
Mountains
|
||||||
|
hi
|
low
|
Precip
|
hi
|
low
|
Precip
|
|||
|
June
|
66°
|
47°
|
3.8 in
|
53°
|
36°
|
3.9 in
|
||
|
July
|
70°
|
50°
|
2.8 in
|
62°
|
42°
|
2.1 in
|
||
|
August
|
72°
|
50°
|
2.8 in
|
63°
|
43°
|
2.2 in
|
||
|
September
|
69°
|
47°
|
4.4 in
|
57°
|
39°
|
4.7 in
|
||
|
October
|
42°
|
59°
|
11 in
|
47°
|
32°
|
8.5 in
|
||
Accommodations
Lake Crescent Lodge
2 NIGHTS
Historic Lake Crescent Lodge was built in the early 20th centry and is a perfect base camp for our Olympic hikes. With a lakefront location and comfortable, spacious rooms, it’s a guest favorite!
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Trip Reviews
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Jayna W.
Wonderful Guide!!
Julian was a wonderful guide!! As a solo traveler on a small trip, he made us both feel extremely comfortable, and it was great to be able to personalize the trip to our wants! He was extremely knowledgeable about the park, history and environment which was an added bonus! Would definitely travel with Julian again!
Trina J.
The friends we meet from around the world
The friends we meet from around the world, The guides, the hikes, the views...Let us see a life unfurled...Wildland trips are dreams that came true.
Holly S.
Wonderful trip with just the right amount of time
Wonderful trip with just the right amount of time. Guides are the best and enjoyed the small group we were in. Can’t wait to book my next trip!
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