Things to Do in Port Angeles: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Port Angeles is a working harbor town on the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the main gateway to Olympic National Park, where mountains, glacier-fed lakes, rain forests and wild Pacific beaches all lie within a couple of hours' drive. A ferry crosses from here to Victoria in Canada.
This guide covers the best things to do in Port Angeles, 3, 5 and 7-day plans with Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, the Hoh and the coast, plus what to eat and where to stay.
Top things to see in Port Angeles
Hurricane Ridge
Alpine meadows and Olympic peaks.
Lake Crescent
Deep blue glacial lake.
Marymere Falls
Short forest walk to a waterfall.
Sol Duc Hot Springs
Mineral pools in the forest.
Hoh Rain Forest
Moss-draped Hall of Mosses.
Rialto Beach
Sea stacks and driftwood.
Ediz Hook
Sandspit with harbor views.
Olympic Discovery Trail
Paved trail along the coast.
Port Angeles in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Waterfront and Ediz Hook
Start at the Port Angeles waterfront with the Feiro Marine Life Center and a walk along the City Pier. Have lunch downtown. In the afternoon drive or cycle out along Ediz Hook to watch ships and seals, then ride a section of the Olympic Discovery Trail along the water. End with Dungeness crab for dinner.
2Day 2 · Hurricane Ridge
Drive the winding road up to Hurricane Ridge, where meadows full of deer and wildflowers face a wall of snowy Olympic peaks. Hike the Hurricane Hill trail. Have a picnic at the top. In the afternoon stop at the park visitor center in town, then relax with a local craft beer.
3Day 3 · Lake Crescent and Sol Duc
Drive west to Lake Crescent for the short walk to Marymere Falls and a paddle on the clear water. Have lunch at the historic lodge. In the afternoon continue to Sol Duc for the forest trail to Sol Duc Falls and a soak in the hot springs pools before driving back.
Port Angeles in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Hoh Rain Forest
Make the long drive to the Hoh Rain Forest for the Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature Trail among giant Sitka spruce draped in moss. Have lunch in Forks, and stop at Ruby Beach on the way back for sea stacks at low tide.
5Day 5 · Rialto Beach and La Push
Visit Rialto Beach to walk past driftwood to the Hole-in-the-Wall arch at low tide, then the beaches of La Push. Picnic on the sand and return along the Sol Duc valley in the evening.
Port Angeles in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Victoria
Take the ferry across the strait to Victoria, British Columbia, for the Inner Harbour, the Royal BC Museum and Butchart Gardens. Have lunch in Victoria and catch the evening ferry back; bring your passport.
7Day 7 · Last day
Have breakfast downtown, buy local smoked salmon, berry jam and art, and enjoy a farewell lunch with a harbor view. Seattle is about three hours away by car and ferry.
What to do in Port Angeles on a weekend
For a weekend in Port Angeles, combine the waterfront, Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent.
Add Sol Duc Hot Springs with a third day.
What to do in Port Angeles in the evening
Evenings mean sunset on Ediz Hook, craft beer downtown and stargazing from dark park roads.
Town is quiet and early.
Port Angeles for couples
Couples will enjoy a soak at Sol Duc, sunset at Rialto Beach and a lodge dinner at Lake Crescent.
Port Angeles with kids
With kids, try the Feiro Marine Life Center, tide pools, the Hall of Mosses and the Discovery Trail by bike.
What to eat in Port Angeles
Dungeness crab
Sweet local specialty.
Smoked salmon
From tribal smokehouses.
Clam chowder
Pacific Northwest style.
Blackberry pie
Summer favorite.
Craft beer
From Olympic Peninsula breweries.
Where to stay in Port Angeles: best areas
Downtown
Close to the ferry.
Lake Crescent
Historic lodge.
Sol Duc
Cabins by the springs.
Forks
For the coast.
What to do in Port Angeles when it rains
On rainy days, which are common, visit the Hoh Rain Forest at its best, the marine center, the Sol Duc pools or the arts center.
How much does a trip to Port Angeles cost?
Expect $150–280 per night, $15–30 for lunch and $30 for a week-long park vehicle pass.
Practical tips for Port Angeles
Best time to visit
June to September.
Getting around
By car; distances in the park are long.
Our practical tips
- Check Hurricane Ridge road status.
- Buy a park pass.
- Bring rain gear.
- Read the tide tables.
- Bring your passport for Victoria.
- Fill the tank before the coast.
Mistakes to avoid
- Underestimating driving times.
- Beach walks without checking tides.
- Feeding wildlife.
- Expecting sunshine every day.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Port Angeles?
Visit Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent and the Hoh Rain Forest.
How many days do you need?
Three days, a week for the whole park.
Can you go to Canada from Port Angeles?
Yes, by ferry to Victoria.
When is the best time?
July and August.