How to Visit Olympic National Park without a car
Eager to visit Olympic National Park in Washington State but getting bewildered by the transportation options? Or trying to figure out if you can visit without a car? That’s what I’m here to help you with.
I’m a born and raise Washingtonian and have worked as a guide taking visitors to Olympic National Park. One of the most common reasons guests came on my tour was not wanting to deal with a rental car!
If you are bringing a car to Olympic, check out my three day road trip itinerary for Olympic National Park, THIS article is about going car free.
In addition to not having to drive or deal with a rental car, another enormous benefit of taking shuttles or a tour in Olympic National Park is no hassles with parking or long waits at the entrance station (especially for Hurricane Ridge). This is a big deal as waiting in line and parking are a big challenge in Olympic National Park.
Prefer to listen? Listen to Tommy Farris from Olympic Hiking Company talk about car free visits on the Washington State Hiking Podcast
Options for visiting Olympic National Park without a car
If you’re looking to visit Olympic National Park without a car, you have four options
- Take a shuttle from Port Angeles (public transportation from Seattle and Victoria BC is available to Port Angeles)
- Take a guided hike from Port Angeles (public transportation from Seattle and Victoria BC is available to Port Angeles)
- Arrange for a shuttle through Olympic Hiking Company between any trailheads in the park, they also have regularly scheduled runs on the Olympic Coast.
- Take a day trip guided tour from Seattle that includes transportation
Let’s go a bit more in depth with each of these options. Keep in mind that rideshare services are generally not available on the Olympic Peninsula and between locations in the park (and most do not have cell service).
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Public Transportation from Seattle or Victoria BC to Olympic National Park
In summer you can take public transportation from downtown Seattle to Hurricane Ridge, one of the most beloved places in Olympic National Park. Gorgeous views, great hiking trails and lots of marmots and deer as well as summer wildflowers are some of the highlights.
Clallam transit operates a shuttle from the Port Angeles Transit Center from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and Olympic Hiking Company offers a winter shuttle from the transit center on Saturdays usually from late December through March, though the dates vary based on weather and snow conditions. They also offer winter tours if you want more time and someone else to take care of all the details.
To get to Port Angeles from Seattle on public transportation, take the Seattle to Bainbridge Island Ferry and then the Strait Shot bus from the Bainbridge ferry terminal to the Port Angeles transit center.
Keep in mind that ferries, buses and shuttles are operated by different agencies so you give yourself plenty of time to get between. I recommend staying overnight or for a weekend in Port Angeles to give yourself more time to make the transit connections and explore the park.
From downtown Victoria, BC, take the Coho ferry to Port Angeles. The ferry dock is just a couple blocks from the Port Angeles transit center.
Take a guided hike from Port Angeles
Follow the same instructions above for getting to Port Angeles. Spend the weekend or a few days to give yourself the full day for a guided hike if possible – though half day hikes designed for day trips from Victoria or Seattle are also available.
I love locally owned Olympic Hiking Company – they have options ranging from epic old growth forest hikes in the Hoh Rainforest, to hikes along the wild Olympic Coast, and winter snowshoe hikes and alpine hikes in summer at Hurricane Ridge.
Going on a small group tour means all the details are taken care of for you and you get to go deeper in the park with a local guide who knows and loves the places they take you.
More Shuttle options
Olympic Hiking Company is the authorized shuttle operator for Olympic National Park and if you’re planning a multi day hike this is the perfect way to get around between trailheads. If you’re doing something different than their published schedule, you can arrange a custom shuttle between almost any locations in the park.
Guided Day Trip hikes from Seattle to Olympic National Park
Not up for taking public transit but don’t want to take a car either? Then a day trip from Seattle is perfect for you.
I highly recommend Evergreen Escapes (I was a guide for them in the past and loved that job) – they’ll pick you up at your downtown Seattle hotel and take you out for a wonderful day of adventure in the park.
The exact destinations vary by the time of year and weather conditions, but you can count on your guide taking you to their favorite spots and giving you an incredible day. They also offer custom, private trips.
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