Mt Rainier and Olympic NP in September

[Pachyluvr]

We are planning a 2 1/2 week trip to these two national parks. We will be camping outside the two parks. What should we not miss, both inside and outside the parks? (I do have guidebooks, but would love to get firsthand advice.)
(We will drive from the Willamette Valley in Oregon north to the Mt. Rainier area first, spend a week, then move on to Olympia NP)
Thanks for any thoughts.

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

With the time you have available you should have plenty of time to explore the 2 parks and there is so much info available when you get there. To find hidden gems it's always worth asking fellow campers and Rangers about there favorite spots in quieter locations. For me the highlights in Olympic NP were Hurricane ridge, Hoh rain forest, Ruby beach and Sol Duc hot springs. The hot springs were more comercialised than I'd hoped but it was a pleasant walk through the woods to the waterfalls. Lake Quinalt has a rain forest trail and Merriman falls nearby as well as claiming the worlds largest Sitka spruce.

In Mt Rainier the views form Rickseeker point are a must and the many stops along Paradise valley. Stevens canyon has lakes and waterfalls and both have many hiking trails.

[AZBuck]

My wife and I took our first 'post' COVID (actually, post-vaccination) trip to this area last year, and as with most of our trips, it wasn't the grand 'must see' attractions that we enjoyed or remember most, but the smaller more intimate settings where we got to soak in the uniqueness of the region without crowds. Unfortunate, we did not get to Mount Ranier, but rather spent our time split between Olympia and the Olympic Peninsula. I may have a few comments as I go along, but mostly I'm just going to give you names and links for the places that made our list and let you decide what appeals to you.

Olympia:
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Point Defiance Park
Tumwater Falls Park

Olympic Peninsula / Olympic National Park:
Marymere Falls
Bogachiel State Park
Hoh Rain Forest
Kalaloch and Ruby Beaches
Quinault Valley and Rain Forest

In each of these locations, take the opportunity to engage in quiet conversations with others enjoying the site. They share your tastes and if they're locals they can direct you to other hidden gems.

One side note... If you're a fan, the town of Forks WA was used as the 'location' for the Twilight movies.

AZBuck

[DonnaR57]

One side note... If you're a fan, the town of Forks WA was used as the 'location' for the Twilight movies.

....it was not filmed there.



Donna

[Mark Sedenquist]

And I haven't been to Sequim in a while, so you will need to check to see if the trolls are still about, but on your way to the Olympic Peninsula / Olympic National Park -- I always loved driving past Bandy's Troll Haven!

And also in Sequim -- The Three Crabs restaurant is pretty darn amazing.

Mark

[AZBuck]

I don't claim to be a fan (or even a viewer) of any portion of the Twilight series of books and films, but the town of Forks certainly revels in whatever connection it has to that world.

AZBuck

[Pachyluvr]

Thank you! Great suggestions.

[Pachyluvr]

Thank you...especially for the links. I've been researching and it's nice to have easy access to info.

[DonnaR57]

Here is information regarding camping in and around the national parks. It's in our camping forum.


Donna