Tour Overview

12:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Half Day Tour of Olympic National Park

About the Tour

Looking for a shorter guided tour? Join us on a locally inspired half-day itinerary that features top Olympic National Park destinations including the Elwha Valley and Lake Crescent, plus a bonus sightseeing stop along the rugged shoreline of Tongue Point. The tour begins with a sightseeing stop along the Elwha River with a short walk to Madison Falls. Lake Crescent is the centerpiece of the itinerary with a 2-3 mile guided hike to Marymere Falls and surrounding trails immersed in old-growth forests. The afternoon wraps up with a scenic drive on the backroads around Lake Crescent to reach Tongue Point and amazing coastal viewpoints of the Strait of Juan De Fuca from Salt Creek County Park.

 

Tour Price

$65 per person + taxes/fees

Tour Schedule

May 20 - Sept 15: Monday - Thursday

Traveling from Seattle?

Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry

Step #1: Walk onto the 9:35am Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry from the Downtown Seattle Ferry Terminal

Clallam Transit Strait Shot Bus

Step #2: Catch the 10:20am Strait Shot Bus directly in front of the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal.

Walk onto the 9:35am Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry and catch the 10:20am Strait Shot Bus with a 12:15pm arrival to the Port Angeles Gateway Transit Center. With our tour office across the street, we specifically built this tour to allow day trip travelers to experience Olympic National Park without a vehicle. Travelers are able to return to Seattle via the 6:00pm bus and 8:20pm ferry respectively. Need more information or travel tips? Contact our Operations Team by emailing us at discover@hikeolympic.com.

Tour Gallery

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Tour Summary

Itinerary Description

Elwha River: Within 20 minutes of departing from our Port Angeles Tour Office, our group will reach the Elwha River within Olympic National Park. Upon arrival, our guide will lead our guests on a short paved trail to Madison Falls (0.1 mile one-way) and discuss the recent historic removal of the Elwha Dams and the fast-changing river valley landscapes.

Lake Crescent: Our scenic drive west along Highway 101 continues to the Lake Crescent Lodge with one of the most picturesque lake views in Olympic National Park. From the Lodge, our guide will hike alongside Barnes Creek amongst towering old-growth evergreens to reach Marymere Falls, one of Olympic’s top-rated waterfalls (90 feet tall). As Lake Crescent sits just on the outside of the coastal temperate rain forest, the moss-laden terrain and ancient old-growth trees are jaw-dropping throughout.

Salt Creek: To conclude the afternoon, our guests will enjoy the scenic backroads on the north side of Lake Crescent until reaching the Strait of Juan De Fuca at Salt Creek Recreational Area. Upon arrival, our guide will showcase some of best rugged coastal viewpoints on the Olympic Peninsula at Tongue Point and drive through some historic World War II era bunkers located within the former Camp Hayden. Our final route back to Port Angeles along Highway 112 completes a lesser-known, locally inspired driving loop that showcases three different ecosystems in less than 2 hours of driving.

 

Itinerary Outline

  • 12:45 PM: Departure

  • Stop #1: Elwha River (20-30 min)

  • Stop #2: Lake Crescent (60-90 min)

  • Stop #3: Salt Creek (20-30 min)

  • 4:45 PM: Return

    Timing and destinations subject to change based on weather, group pace, and road conditions.

Itinerary Breakdown

What’s Included

  • Naturalist Guided Hiking Tour

  • Roundtrip Transportation

Meet-up Location

Port Angeles Wharf 115 E Railroad Ave, Port Angeles, WA 98362

Ready to explore?

Date not available?

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Join our waitlist and we will email you if additional spaces become available.

Request a private tour

Starting at $500. Available year-round, 7 days per week upon request.

Additional Details

Naturalist Guided Hiking Tour

The Elwha Valley and Lake Crescent feature some of the most diverse and beautiful lowland forests in Olympic National Park. At those destinations, our Naturalist Hiking Guide will identify the variety of old-growth trees, micro-plants, and discuss the rich history of the Elwha River and Lake Crescent. At Salt Creek County Park, our guide will overview the unique coastal ecology of the Strait of Juan De Fuca and unique history surrounding Camp Hayden and its World War II era bunkers.

Hiking Trails

We typically cover 3-4 miles on this guided tour. Our guide will hike on the following trails for varying amounts of time and mileage based on the itinerary timing, group pace, weather conditions, and traffic on the roads. There are options for guests to hike less at each destination.

  • Elwha: A paved, ADA 0.1 mile one-way trail out and back to Madison Falls. Our guide may include optional trails and viewpoints along the Elwha River for an additional 1-2 miles of hiking.

  • Lake Crescent: A 1 mile one-way trail, primarily flat, well-maintained, and ending with 200 feet elevation up nature stairs to view Marymere Falls. Our guide may add other trails for a loop route back to the Lake Crescent Lodge for 2-3 miles total.

  • Salt Creek: Our guide will prioritize the coastal stairs down into the tidal areas surrounding Tongue Point. During low tide, our guide may lead eco-friendly tidepooling. During high tide, more time will be spent at various bluff viewpoints and sightseeing at the bunkers.

Seasonal Itinerary Adjustments

  • Spring: With raging waterfalls and lush forests, we will likely prioritize time within the Elwha Valley and Lake Crescent.

  • Summer: With busier trails at Marymere Falls, our guide may opt to explore lesser known trails around the Elwha, Lake Crescent, and at Salt Creek (especially during low-tide).

  • Fall: After Mid-September, we will prioritize the resurgent waterfalls and beautiful fall colors of Elwha Valley and Lake Crescent.