PLAN YOUR TRIP
Greenstone is tucked into a remarkable corner of the Olympic Peninsula, with access to rainforest trails, mountain views, lakeside walks, and rugged coastline.
Days here can be as full or as unhurried as you’d like them to be.
You may spend the morning on a trail, the afternoon by the water, and the evening back at your cabin with a warm drink by the fire and nowhere else to be.
Getting Here
Greenstone is out in what the locals call “the West End” or “West of the West”.
You will either take the North route on Hwy 101 (through Sequim and Port Angeles), or via the South route through Aberdeen. Hwy 101 is beautiful driving, and rarely has heavy traffic.
Many people choose to drive the entire loop around the peninsula for it’s own sake - in fact, we encourage you to do the same to get the whole experience.
Lake
Crescent
Coming from the Seattle area, or SeaTac airport, it is approximately a three hour drive, but this can vary significantly depending on if you choose to drive over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge or take a ferry to the Kitsap Peninsula.
We have found that Google Maps will not be accurate with ferry sailing or wait times, so it is best to plan your ferry ride separately. The Edmonds-Kingston route is the most efficient ferry route, and will allow you to stop in Port Gamble, where we love stopping at Butch & Baker Provisions.
However, Bainbridge Island is often a good alternative and the Coupeville-Port Townsend route is perhaps the most scenic.
EV Drivers: Sequim has a Supercharger.
This will likely be the option for folks coming up from the Portland area; the drive once you pass through Aberdeen is sparsely populated and feels very remote (in a good way; it will remind you of Alaska).
Be sure to stop to have lunch either at Quinalt Lodge, a beautiful national park lodge on the same shelf as Old Faithful Inn, or Kalaloch Lodge which is on a bluff overlooking the ocean.
Due to wash-outs, Hwy 101 narrows to one lane at two sections as you approach Forks, and so you can expect some delays.
Nirvana and Kurt Cobain enthusiasts will also prefer this route, as you can stop and see Kurt’s childhood home in Aberdeen.
EV Drivers: There is a Supercharger downtown.
A note on the eastern side of Hwy 101 (Olympia-Squim):
This is a beautiful drive, with great stops to be had at Hoodsport/Lake Cushman/Staircase. If you are headed to Greenstone from Olympia, this route is technically a few miles longer, but is perhaps a bit more scenic.
THINGS TO DO
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
Must-See Sights
Cape
Flattery
A 20 minute drive from Greenstone, La Push is your best option to enjoy the rugged beauty of the Pacific coast.
There are three separate beaches -four if you count Rialto - that you can access from La Push - you will see parking lots on your way into town for their respective trailheads, with Beach 1 being the beach “in town”.
Rialto Beach, and it’s famous Hole-in-the-Wall, can be accessed by turning right at the “3 Rivers Resort” onto Mora Rd.
There is a gas station and convenience store in La Push, as well as River’s Edge Restaurant (which has a great view).
Walking down to Hole-in-the-Wall, and then treating yourself to a meal at River’s Edge Restaurant would be a great day.
Approximately a 40 minute drive from Greenstone, the most North-westerly point of the contiguous 48 states is not just a stunning coastal drive, but the perfect spot for viewing wildlife (bring binoculars).
As of writing, there was no parking permit or fee associated with parking and walking down to Cape Flattery, which is about a quarter of a mile slightly downhill.
The trail can be muddy, and has extensive boardwalks, which can be slippery.
Be sure to visit the Makah Cultural & Research Center Museum, which houses artifacts from a native village which was lost to a landslide, giving you a stunning look at what ancient life would have been like for the Makah.
The grocery store, Washburn’s, is known for its fish.
Nearby is Hobuck Beach - a hidden gem for surfing - and following this road south will take you to the trailhead for Shi Shi Beach, another one of our marquee beaches.
A one hour drive from Greenstone, Port Angeles is the commercial hub of the peninsula, as well as the jumping off point for the Black Ball line ferry to Victoria BC and Hurricane Ridge.
There is a nice selection of restaurants and outdoor stores. The Olympic Discovery Trail makes for a wonderful shore-line walk.
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Swain’s General Store is a great place to pick up souvenirs as well as a hoot to visit. Swain’s was described to me as a place where you can “get everything you need to go fishing, but also pick up a birthday gift for your grandma at the same time”. And this is correct.
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Little Devil’s Lunchbox is a great burrito shop with a heavy metal vibe
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New Day Eatery has healthy, vegan friendly food
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Odyssey Bookstore a lovely, local bookstore with a great selection
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A fantastic alpine drive up to a 5500’ ridge, with epic views of the interior of the Olympic Mountains.
It takes about 30 minutes to drive from Port Angeles to the top, but you won’t notice because of the views.
Great hiking opportunities in the summer, and a ski resort operates on the weekend in the winter, the only operating ski resort within a National Park at this time.
It is worth it to stop at the park visitor center on your way up, especially since there are limited facilities at this point in time on top of the ridge.
Lake
Crescent
Washington’s second deepest lake - 900 ft! - caused by a massive landslide thousands of years ago, Lake Crescent is a true gem - the Lake Como of Washington – and makes for wonderful canoeing and kayaking.
The Olympic Discovery Trail winds its way along the north bank of the lake, and can be accessed on either the east or west side, but most will prefer starting at the trailhead in the little townlet of Cresent.
Lake Crescent Lodge is near the Storm King Ranger Station, which is your starting point for Marymere Falls and Storm King hikes.
Just a few minutes from Greenstone, Forks has the closest grocery store, Thriftway, and an outfitter which is also an Ace Hardware (which also has a coffee shop).
Fans of the Twilight Series will be charmed by visiting the Swan House.
For local color, visit the bowling alley - unchanged from the ‘60s, John’s Beachcoming Museum, and the Forks Timber Museum, so if you like Atlas Obscura places, Forks is for you.
To eat, there are a couple of Mexican restaurants, a Chinese restaurant, and a couple of diners.
EV Drivers: Forks has a Supercharger near the Thriftway.
This national park lodge has natural mineral-rich hot springs (day passes are available) and a restaurant.
Since this is a great jumping-off point for hiking, a dip in the hot spring after your hike would be a treat.
About 30 minutes from Greenstone.
Approximately a 30-minute drive from Greenstone.
Get there early to avoid traffic, which backs up there due to limited parking.
Don’t miss the Hall of Moses, which is short and flat and suitable for most ages and abilities.
The Hoh trailhead is the main route to Mt Olympus and the Blue Glacier, and while that is quite far for a typical day hike, it makes for a lovely out-and-back trail.
Hiking
The main jumping off point for hiking in the immediate vicinity of Greenstone is to head towards the Sol Duc Hot Springs/Lake Crescent area, but of course, you can also head to one of the many beaches, which make epic and unique hikes themselves.
recommendations for
the casual-adventurer
Length: 0.5 miles
Elevation:
A short loop through towering old-growth forest, featuring massive Sitka spruce and western hemlock draped in moss.Length: 1.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 82 ft
A gentle rainforest loop where bigleaf maples and ancient trees are thickly coated in hanging moss, creating one of the park’s most iconic landscapes.Length: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 52 ft
A flat, interpretive loop through lush rainforest that highlights how fallen trees nurture new life over time.
Length: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 52 ft
A forested boardwalk trail leading to dramatic coastal viewpoints overlooking sea stacks, cliffs, and the northwesternmost point of the contiguous U.S.
Length: 1.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 200 ft
A shaded forest walk to a striking multi-channel waterfall where the Sol Duc River splits into narrow cascades.
Length: 1.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 300 ft
An easy forested hike near Lake Crescent ending at a 90-foot waterfall accessed by a short, steeper climb to viewing platforms.
Length: 3.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 800 ft
A subalpine ridge hike with sweeping mountain views, wildflower meadows in summer, and frequent wildlife sightings.
Length: 8 miles (out and back)
Elevation Gain: 200 ft
A gently graded lakeside path with expansive views of Lake Crescent, ideal for a slower-paced outing where you can walk as little or as far as you’d like.
recommendations for
THE avid-hiker
Length: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,000 ft
A steep, demanding climb above Lake Crescent that rewards the effort with dramatic, panoramic views of the lake far below. Climbing Storm King is not for the faint of heart; the summit block is an exposed scramble.Length: 5.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,450 ft
A quieter forested trail leading to a peaceful alpine lake, offering a more secluded and reflective experience.Length: 6.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,200 ft
Headed north from Greenstone, turn right at the Snider Work Center. This is the closest hike to us.
A steady uphill hike to a historic fire lookout site with expansive views over Lake Crescent and the surrounding mountains.
Length: 6.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,750 ft
A strenuous climb with consistent elevation gain, culminating in sweeping views from one of the higher vantage points near Lake Crescent.
Length: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,650 ft
A forested ascent to a serene subalpine lake, with the option to continue farther for more advanced routes.
Length: 9.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 250 ft
A coastal loop combining forest trails and beach walking, featuring tidepools, sea stacks, and some of the most remote shoreline in the park. Make sure not to miss the Wedding Rock petroglyphs.
Length: 12 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,200 ft
A moderate hike leading to quiet alpine lakes beneath open ridgelines, with sweeping mountain views and seasonal wildflowers. It’s a peaceful, high-elevation experience ideal for an immersive day outdoors.
Length: 12.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,350 ft
A long, challenging forest loop with sustained climbing, best suited for experienced hikers looking for a full-day outing. It is accessed from the Olympic Discovery Trail on the west end of Lake Crescent or by the Littleton Horse Camp.
Fout’s Rock House makes for a great place for a snack (on the east side of the loop).
Length: 19 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,000 ft
A classic, full-day or overnight alpine loop with lakes, ridgelines, and expansive mountain views—one of the park’s most iconic backcountry experiences.
considerations for
BEACH HIKING
Beach Hiking has a few considerations which make it different then your typical walk in the woods, regardless of which of our stunning beaches you choose to hike on.
It can be windy and cold on the beach, even on a hot, sunny day, so you will want to bring a windbreaker or raincoat. A hat and sunglasses is pretty much a necessity too. You won’t necessarily need wading rubber boots - you can probably get a way just fine with tennis shoes - but they are nice to have, possibly paired with some light gaiters to keep sand out of whatever shoe you wear. A shoe with a lot of grip is really what is needed - you will be scrambling over logs and rocks.
By far the most critical however, is having awareness of the tides, which can come in and trap you in certain spots. It’s free to get a tidal app for your smart phone; this will give you the times of high and low tide; simply plan accordingly.
A light towel is nice to have too, in case you take your shoes off and wade.
It’s generally ideal kite flying territory, and it’s also semi-traditional to pick up some of the floatsome and jetsome which inevitably washes up on shore (a colorful buoy can make for a nice souvenir too!)
We’d be honored to have Greenstone be your “basecamp”, well - your jumping-off point and landing pad - for your Mt Olympus attempt.
You need to get to the Hoh Ranger Station parking lot early, not just to beat traffic and get a parking spot, but get your gear sorted and started on the Hoh River Trail.
It’s a full day’s hike, easily 17 miles, out to Elk Lake Campground (your true basecamp). Some parties take this in two days. In fact, in this lies the true challenge of the climb. It’s not that any one point is terribly difficult, it’s that you have to carry both snow and glacier gear, as well as rock climbing gear out such a great distance (saying nothing of the weather of course).
Elk Lake Campground is a beautiful spot and the hike is worth it just to behold the Mt Olympus massif towering across the Blue Glacier - it’s truly one of the great views to be had in Washington.
Most parties take at least three days; five would be comfortable. Either way, Greenstone is a perfect launching spot. A proper Finnish sauna is in the works here, so we look forward to hosting your adventure.
Fishing
Sol Duc
River
The Sol Duc River is the longest river in the Olympics, and known as one of the healthiest watersheds in Washington with all five major salmon species.
There are winter steelhead, spring and summer chinook, pink, chum, sockeye and coho salmon, as well as Dolly Varden, sea-run cutthroat trout, resident trout and Olympic mudminnow. In short - year around fishing.
We are proud to report that the Western Rivers Conservancy has purchased large tracks of land around our own Beaver Creek in an effort to keep the Sol Duc pristine.
Most sportsmen float the Sol Duc, launching at Hatchery in Beaver. There are several guide services available out of Forks, the Olympic Peninsula Guide Service and the Blue Heron Guide Service.
The Forks Outfitter (the Thriftway) has a solid selection of bait and tackle and rods. In Port Angeles, Swain’s General Store is also worth a stop.
Surfing
Hubuck Beach
While most of the surfing - and surf shops - are in the Port Angeles area on the Straight of Juan De Fuca, since you are out on the West End, you can check out Washington’s premier surf locations, Hobart Beach (near Neah Bay and Cape Flattery) and La Push Beach.
Hubuck Beach in particular is known for its regularity and predictable waves and is highly recommended. These beaches are also free of the territoriality that you will encounter on the Straight.
The two main shops in Port Angeles are North by Northwest Surf Co, and the Evergreen Surf Shop.
Salt Creek/Cresent Beach, Place Rd (mouth of the Elwha River) are the two major spots for surfing west of Port Angeles.
You can also head south towards the Klalaloch beaches for surfing too.
Mountain biking, white water rafting in the spring/summer months, you name it. This is an outdoor adventurer's paradise.
We will continue to update this guide as we further explore the area to bring you our best recommendations.
Kids & Pets
The Olympic Peninsula is a great place for kids, with lots of natural beauty, adventure, and unique places to explore.
Become a Junior Ranger! Your first stop should be at any park visitor center and pick up a Junior Ranger booklet. For coastal visits, the Ocean Stewards program lets kids ages 4 and up earn a special patch by completing a booklet about Olympic's coastal ecosystem.
Kids will love the beaches out here, with towering sea stacks, massive driftwood logs, crashing surf, sea stars and anemones in the tidal pools, while otters, seals, and sea lions are regularly spotted offshore. And don’t forget your kite.
"One of my fondest childhood memories is building a massive driftwood fort, complete with fishing buoy decorations!" - Ross, Co-Owner of Greenstone
Always be on the lookout for wildlife, especially the Roosevelt Elk (yes, they are named after Teddy) herds which roam the Peninsula - they are often to be seen right from the highway! Whale watching is highly recommended - seeing one can be life changing.
The Hall of Mosses trail at the Hoh Rainforest winds through cathedral old-growth draped in brilliant green and banana slugs steal the show. Ranger-led Fireside Programs at Hoh, Mora, and Kalaloch campgrounds offer songs and stories for younger children in the evenings
Sol Duc Hot Springs gives families a chance to hike 0.8 miles through old-growth forest to a spectacular waterfall, then reward themselves with a soak in mineral pools and a freshwater swimming, a combination that works for every age, and nearby Lake Crescent's crystal-clear glacial water is ideal for kayaking.
Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe's network of more than 40 hand-carved totem poles, accessible by bike path near Sequim, offers a meaningful introduction to the Indigenous cultures of the peninsula.
Generally speaking, dogs are not allowed on the trails in the Olympic National Park. There are a few exceptions, detailed on the NPS website. In the surrounding national forests and state parks, leashed dogs are generally welcome everywhere. It's a good idea to have some water and a blanket in case you need to leave your pup in your car while you hike (remember to crack a window for air flow).
Wildlife is the main consideration for a lot of the restrictions on pets out here - for their safety and for you and your pet’s too. When you are out on a trail, keeping the leash on is strongly recommended.
When taking your dog on the beach, keep in mind that there can be decomposing wildlife carcasses, mud, and sharp tidal rocks that can cut up your pet’s paws.
The Spruce Railroad Trail (11.2 miles along Lake Crescent) is pet friendly and offers stunning views. The Kalaloch beaches — a seven-beach stretch along Highway 101 — are among the few places in the park where dogs can walk the shoreline. Rialto Beach allows dogs for about half a mile to Ellen Creek.
The short Madison Falls Trail near Elwha is a quick, easy waterfall walk. On every one of these, the national park's BARK rules apply: leash no longer than 6 feet, bag all waste, stay off tidal rocks, and never leave your dog unattended in a vehicle on warm days.
Sequim has a dedicated dog park, in case your pup needs a break on your way back into the city.
Eats
stock up in Forks
Nearby we have the Beaver General Store, but we recommend making the quick (10-15 min) drive into Forks and going to the Thriftway there, which has a quality grocery selection among other goods and souvenirs.
Neah Bay has Washburn’s Grocery.
Past Lake Crescent, heading east, there is Shadow Mountain General Store.
There is a Safeway in downtown Port Angeles.
Squim has a Costco and QFC.
La Push has a convenience store and gas station.
Restaurants in Forks
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Longhouse Cafe
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Blakeslees Bar and Grill
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The In Place
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Pacific Pizza
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Taqueria San Juditas
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Westend Taproom “tip and sip”
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D&K BBQ
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Shot in the Dark (coffee)
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The Grind (coffee in the Thriftway)
Restaurants in La Push
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River Side Restaurant
Restaurants in Neah Bay
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Calvin’s Crab House
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Linda’s Woodfired Kitchen
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Warmhouse Restaurant
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Native Grounds (for coffee)
Restaurants in Clallam Bay
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Toast and Jam Pub
Restaurants in Sekiu
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By the Bay Cafe
Restaurants in Lake Crescent
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Singer’s Table (dining at Lake Crescent Lodge)
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Shoreline Kitchen (grab and go at Lake Crescent Lodge)
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Granny’s Cafe (between Lake Crescent and Port Angeles)
Restaurants in Port Angeles
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Yodelin
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Downrigger’s
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Little Devil’s Lunchbox
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New Day Eatery
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Kokopelli Grill
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The Blackbird Coffeehouse
Restaurants Further Out
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Kalaloch Lodge
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Quinault Lodge’s Roosevelt Room
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Hurricane Coffee Co (Squim)
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Butcher and Baker Provisions (Port Gamble)
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8th Street Ale House (Hoquiam)
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Meals are provided on property for buyouts and select bookings. Cabins 1-4 are equipped with kitchenettes.
Bring a cooler!
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Cabins 1-4 are equipped with kitchenettes and have mini-fridges.
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Rustic Cabins have drink fridges.
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The Hilton Suite has a drink fridge and coffee station.
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Before You Head Out
A few notes to make your day smoother:
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Cell service is limited in many areas. Download maps in advance when possible.
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Gas stations and dining options can be spaced out, so plan ahead before a longer outing.
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Olympic National Park entry may require a park pass, depending on where you’re going.
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Tide timing matters for beach visits, so it’s worth checking conditions before heading out.
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Wildlife is part of the experience here. Observe from a distance and never feed animals.
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We recommend bringing layers for changing temperatures, a waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes, a small daypack, water and snacks.
Need Help Planning?
If you’d like help choosing a hike, building a day around the weather, or deciding what makes the most sense for your group, we’re always glad to help make your stay feel easy.