Local guide

Olympic National Park, in a day.

Three day trip itineraries from Olalla Bay to Olympic National Park's southeast side. All start at the house, all end back at the house. The park is about two hours away. The honest pitch: Olalla is not a main gateway to the park. It is a quiet base camp for the southeast side, and these three trips are what that base camp is good for.

Staircase, Lake Cushman, Hoodsport, and Hama Hama, in three ways.

Written by Assaf, the Olalla Bay editor. Updated October 2026.

Getting there

From the house, drive south to Hoodsport on the western shore of Hood Canal, then turn onto SR-119 toward Lake Cushman and follow the signs to the Staircase entrance of Olympic National Park. Gig Harbor to Hoodsport is 47 miles, roughly an hour and eighteen minutes; Staircase is about 30 more minutes past Hoodsport. Plan on just under two hours door to trailhead with no stops.

One caution: Staircase was temporarily closed in August 2025 due to the Bear Gulch Fire. The developed area, campground, ranger station, and Rapids Loop trail reopened on July 8, 2026, but wilderness trails beyond the loop remain closed while crews assess hazards and repair bridges. Check the park's current alerts at nps.gov/olym before any trip. Cell service is sparse around Lake Cushman, so download maps before you leave the house.

Trip 1: The classic (full day)

This is the trip to do if you only do one. It fits the park, the lake, and the drive into one full day.

Morning: Staircase Rapids Loop. Arrive at Staircase by 9 AM. Hike the 2.1-mile loop along the North Fork of the Skokomish River through old-growth forest, with a suspension bridge as the centerpiece. About 200 feet of elevation gain, doable for most fitness levels and for kids. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. The trailhead starts at the Staircase Ranger Station, just over the river bridge. An entrance fee applies; dogs are not allowed on trails inside the national park.

Midday: Picnic. Eat at the park's day-use area near the ranger station, or drive back down to Lake Cushman and picnic at the shore. Pack food; there are no restaurants inside the park.

Afternoon: Lake Cushman. Drive back down SR-119 to the lake. Swim, paddle, or just sit on the shore. The lake is more than 4,000 acres of flat, calm water framed by steep forested slopes. If you brought kayaks or paddleboards, this is the place to use them. If not, Skokomish Park rents kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards during the summer season.

Evening: Home by dinner. Leave the lake by 5 PM to be back at the house by 7 PM. Stop at Hoodsport on the way back for gas and a snack.

What to bring: Park pass or $30 for the entrance fee, water, lunch, layers (weather moves fast in the Olympics), sunscreen, and a map downloaded to your phone.

Trip 2: The food run (half to full day)

No hiking required. This trip is about eating well and seeing the Hood Canal shoreline.

Morning: Drive to Hama Hama. Leave the house by 10 AM. Drive to Hama Hama Oyster Saloon in Lilliwaup, north of Hoodsport on US-101. The saloon serves shellfish harvested from the farm's own beds: oysters on the half shell, roasted oysters, steamed clams, chowder. The New York Times named it one of its 50 favorite restaurants in America on the 2026 Restaurant List. The saloon is open Fridays through Sundays (reservations recommended); the farm store keeps longer hours. 35846 N US Hwy 101, Lilliwaup. (360) 877-5811. Check hamahamaoysters.com for the current schedule before you go.

Afternoon: Hoodsport. Drive south to Hoodsport. Walk the waterfront, visit the shops, and stop at the Fjord Oyster Bank for a second round of oysters if you have room. The Fjord Oyster Bank is a waterfront oyster bar with Asian-fusion touches: raw and grilled oysters, geoduck wontons, mussel curry. Fall 2026 hours are Friday 4 to 8 PM, Saturday noon to 8 PM, Sunday noon to 6 PM. Check tracingthefjord.com for the current schedule before you go.

Evening: Beach walk. Finish with a Hood Canal beach walk at one of the public access points near Hoodsport. The tide matters; check a tide table before you go.

What to bring: Reservations for Hama Hama (if going on a weekend), cash for farm stands, and a cooler if you plan to buy oysters to bring home.

Trip 3: The hiker's day (full, strenuous)

For experienced hikers who want a summit, not a stroll. Start at first light.

Option A: Mount Ellinor. The signature peak above Lake Cushman. Summit 5,952 feet. From the lower trailhead, 6.6 miles round trip, 3,300 feet of elevation gain, strenuous, 4 to 5 hours. From the upper trailhead, 3.3 miles round trip, 2,300 feet of gain. The upper trailhead requires a Northwest Forest Pass for parking; the lower trailhead does not. Dogs are allowed on this trail (it is in Olympic National Forest, not the national park). Best July through October. Mountain goats are often spotted near the summit. The exposed upper section can be hazardous in early-season snow or icy conditions. Start early and bring the Ten Essentials.

Option B: North Fork Skokomish deeper trails. From Staircase, the North Fork Skokomish River Trail heads deeper into the park toward Flapjack Lakes. This is a full-day effort for experienced hikers. Note: as of 2026, wilderness trails beyond the Rapids Loop remain closed due to Bear Gulch Fire damage. Check nps.gov/olym before planning this trip.

What to bring: Ten Essentials, headlamp, extra food and water, layers, map and compass (do not rely on phone GPS alone), and a Northwest Forest Pass if using the upper Ellinor trailhead.

What not to do from Olalla

Hurricane Ridge, Hoh Rain Forest, and the Pacific coast are all in Olympic National Park, but they are not day trips from Olalla. Hurricane Ridge is a 3.5 to 4 hour drive each way. Hoh is 4 to 5 hours. The coast (Rialto Beach, Ruby Beach, La Push) is 3 to 4 hours. Those are overnight trips, best done from Port Angeles or Forks. Do not try to cram them into a day from Olalla; you will spend the whole day driving.

Practical notes

• Bring a park pass or expect the entrance fee at Staircase. Private vehicle $30 for 7 days. Annual park pass $55. America the Beautiful pass $80.
• No dogs on national park trails. Leave them at the house for Staircase days. Dogs are allowed on National Forest trails like Mount Ellinor.
• Gas up in Hoodsport. There is nothing past the lake turnoff.
• Weather moves fast in the Olympics. A blue-sky morning at the house can mean rain at the trailhead.
• Lake Cushman and the national park are separate jurisdictions: the lake is national forest land, the park starts at Staircase. Rules differ; read the signs.
• Staircase wilderness trails beyond the Rapids Loop are closed as of 2026. Check nps.gov/olym before any trip.

Questions people ask

How far is Olalla Bay from Olympic National Park?

About two hours door to trailhead to the Staircase entrance, the park's southeast entrance and the closest one to Olalla.

Can you do Olympic National Park as a day trip from Olalla Bay?

Yes, for the southeast side. Staircase, Lake Cushman, and Hoodsport are all reachable in about two hours each way. Hurricane Ridge, Hoh, and the coast are much longer drives.

What is the best day trip from Olalla Bay to Olympic National Park?

The classic: Staircase Rapids Loop in the morning, picnic at the lake, a swim or paddle at Lake Cushman in the afternoon.

Is cell service available on the drive to Staircase?

It is sparse around Lake Cushman and nonexistent in parts of the park. Download maps before you leave the house.