Best Things to Do in Olympic Peninsula, WA With Kids
The Olympic Peninsula's best family days are the Hoh Rain Forest's Hall of Mosses Trail (old-growth temperate rainforest), Hurricane Ridge (alpine meadows and mountain views above Port Angeles), Ruby Beach (sea stacks and tide pools), Lake Crescent (calm-water kayaking and a lakeshore lodge), and Sol Duc Falls with an optional soak at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort.
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1Area photo: Adbar / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Hoh Rain Forest — Hall of Mosses Trail
An easy 0.8-mile loop through old-growth, moss-draped rainforest — the single most iconic Olympic National Park stop, and largely manageable with a stroller on the paved sections.
Watch out: The drive in is long and remote — over an hour from Forks with no cell service along the way. Visitor center facilities are limited. It rains most days here, so pack layers even in summer.
2Area photo: Adbar / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Hurricane Ridge
A 17-mile mountain drive up from Port Angeles ends at alpine meadows with sweeping Olympic Mountain views, plus easy paved walks near the visitor center for wildflowers in summer or snow play in winter.
Watch out: The road closes seasonally in bad weather — call ahead in winter or shoulder season before making the drive. Crowded midday in summer. Altitude and sun exposure are real — bring water and sunscreen.
3Area photo: Adbar / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Ruby Beach
Sea stacks, driftwood piles, and tide pools make this the most photogenic beach on the Olympic coast, with a short trail down from the parking lot.
Watch out: The trail down has uneven footing and some steps — not stroller-friendly. Water is cold and currents are strong; this is a tide-pool and beachcombing stop, not a swim beach. Check tide tables before you go.
4Area photo: Adbar / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Lake Crescent
A deep, clear glacial lake with calm water for kayaking or a lakeshore swim, with an easy family lunch stop at Lake Crescent Lodge and the Marymere Falls trail (1.8 miles round trip) as a good add-on hike.
Watch out: The water is cold even in summer. Boat rentals at the lodge dock are limited — reserve ahead in peak season. The Marymere Falls trail has some root and rock footing.
5Area photo: Adbar / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Sol Duc Falls & Hot Springs Resort
A manageable 1.6-mile round-trip hike to a three-way waterfall, with the option to soak afterward at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort's mineral pools.
Watch out: The hot springs are concrete resort pools, not a natural-looking wild spring — set expectations accordingly. The falls trail has some roots and elevation change. Resort facilities are basic and get crowded in summer.
Frequently asked
Can you see all of this in one day?
No — the peninsula is huge and drives between the rainforest, the mountains, and the coast each run 1.5 to 2+ hours. Plan 3-4 days minimum and base in a different town for each region (Port Angeles for Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent, Forks or Kalaloch for Hoh and Ruby Beach).
Best for young kids?
Lake Crescent (calm water, short walks) and Hurricane Ridge's paved viewpoint trails. The Hoh and Ruby Beach trails have more uneven footing.
Do we need a park pass?
Yes — Olympic National Park charges a per-vehicle entry fee (or accepts an annual/interagency pass), and it covers Hoh, Hurricane Ridge, and Ruby Beach.
Budget for a 4-day trip covering all four regions?
$400–$700 in activity costs (park fees, kayak rental, hot springs pass) — lodging and the long drives are the bigger budget line on this trip.
Same destination, where to stay
Booking these activities? Pick the right resort first.
Activity days work best when your resort is the right launch pad. Our Olympic Peninsula family-resort guide ranks the whole-family-experience winners.
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