Ah, so much to see and to do, so little time. I wish I had the opportunity to come to the Pacific Northwest in July, so I could explore a bit longer.
I jumped around various areas of the park in order to see as much as I could. This park is HUGE. It literary can take hours from one point of interest to the next. I only got to see one side of the park.
#1 Coho Campground
My initial night was spent at Coho Campground, which is technically in Olympic National Forest and not National Park. I booked this campground because it seemed very nice from pictures sitting right on a lake.
I was supposed to be there from 7/25 – 9/1 but after two nights I decided it was time to move on. The campground was large, surrounded by mature forest and ferns. The threes were huge, giving me complete shade and preventing me from getting ANY solar. Also, there was not that much to do in the area. Once you explored the nearby Working Forest Nature Trial (very short, maybe a mile), the Wynoochee Lake Shore Trail (16 miles around the lake) and the Wynoochee Dam there was not much else here.
I decided to move on. The road to 101 was just 22 miles, but for most of the way it was a gravel Forest Service Road and another long portion it was a single lane road, where it was very difficult if you had to pass an oncoming vehicle since there was no shoulder. Luckily, there was no oncoming traffic, it took me maybe 45 minutes to get to 101.
#2 Kalaloch Campground
I was extremely lucky to get a nice spot at Kalaloch campground since I had no reservation and the campground was packed right before end of August before kids go back to school. There was a line at the registration kiosk awaiting ranger hours (12 – 1 pm) to get assigned a spot if available. The campground was right next to the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by old growth forests.
The beach is beautiful. There is a Ranger Station, a lodge with a store and restaurant just one mile south of the campground. And a few hiking trails within walking or short driving distance.
We got to experience wonderful mid-70˚ weather, beautiful sunsets and unlimited tranquility of the beach and forest. I learned a lesson; you must stay away from driftwood on the beach during high tide. The waves will sneak to the beach and pick up those huge logs like they are feathers. It’s very scary when one is coming right at you.
We took a short trip down 101 north to Ruby Beach, the pictures speak for themselves! Awesome beach. Even Aesop loved it.
#3 Fairholme Campground
After Kalaloch I was just as lucky to snag an outstanding site at Fairholme Campground on the turquoise lake Crescent. My spot was next to a steep drop leading directly to the lake. I had to walk a different path to get down but was able to walk up that way coming back up. It was risky business. There are paths leading to the lake all throughout the campground, so there were other ways this was just the shortest. My RV is pictured inside of the heart in of the pictures, it was steep and behind gorgeous ferns.
The campsite is next to a beach where people swam and kayaked, a boat launch and a small convenience store within a very short walking distance.
Spruce Railroad Trail was just a few miles up the road and is an 11-mile hike that allows dogs and bikes. I think its one of only 3 places in the entire park that allows dogs. I am very limited as to where I can hike in national Parks, as dogs are NOT allowed on most trails.
I took many day trips to explore nearby areas of the park.
Another short hike near lake Crescent was right behind Storm King Ranger Station. Marymere Falls is a 1.7-mile hike with minimal 298ft elevation that leads to a waterfall and crosses a creek on some cool bridges and winds through an old growth forest.
#4 Hurricane Ridge / Heart o’ the Hills
Whew! What a drive!
CLICK each one to see full pictures!
The road up there gets steep and winds around mountains and has some steep drops on one side. Leads through a couple of short tunnels and exposes some amazing views of mountains and forest. I had to shift down to 3rd and 2nd gear going downhill, so I don’t ride on my breaks. Otherwise my RV would roll down hill picking up too much speed too fast. Apologies to all of the car drivers behind me who seemed in a huge rush even though the speed limit was between 10 – 35 mph. I’d rather be slow and safe, than dead and sorry.
Once at the top there was a visitor center, restaurant and a gift shop. There was an observation deck in the back and a few exhibits. The main attractions in this area were the views and hiking. I was planning on hiking Hurricane Hill Trail, a short 3.2 miles with panoramic views. Unfortunately it was closed the day I was there due to mountain goat relocation efforts with helicopters, etc. Disappointing.
# 5 Sol Duc Hot Springs
This privately owned and operated resort offers cabin rental, restaurants and for $15 per day access to hot springs. Water is pumped from 800ft below and comes out at roughly 150 degrees. By the time it goes through UV filtering process it goes to 3 pools with various temperatures. The hottest being at 107/108˚, next 103/104˚, 99˚ and the large pool was 79˚.
I went there a couple times during my stay at Olympic. Being on a road and not having a bathtub justified the un-budgeted cost of $15 x 2 days. It was well worth it.
This area offers a campground and some very cool hikes, but with Aesop being unable to go with me, I opted out ☹
#6 Rialto Beach / Mora
It rained the day I visited but the beach was stunning, nonetheless. Rialto is a driftwood covered beach with large rocks and it allows dogs and beach fires.
# 7 Hoh Rainforest
I only took one short hike in the Hoh Rain forest. The Hall of Mosses trail is only 0.8 long and starts right behind the Hoh visitor center. Honestly, I didn’t seem much different from the rain forest I hiked in North Cascades or other areas of the Olympic Park. Big and tall moss-covered trees. Clear creek water, etc.
# 8 Forks, WA
I resupplied my groceries and gas in town of Forks, Washington. It’s a very cutsie town with a large grocery store and outdoor outfitters. There are many restaurants and a couple of blocks that would be considered downtown with many businesses. I only know this town from the Twilight saga, but I didn’t run into any vampires or werewolves while there.
Now that I have a much smaller pantry and fridge, I have done grocery shopping more often. I improvise recipes to make things work without specific ingredients and without having an oven. Here is my pizza made on flatbread and made in the skillet on stove-top.
Next: 
Mount Rainier National Park