Posted in Washington
June 15, 2021
The Ultimate Washington Hidden Gem Road Trip Will Take You To 6 Incredible Little-Known Spots In The State
Washington’s Olympic Peninsula is an enchanting, mystical, and often mysterious place. From the forest trails to the otherworldly beaches, exploring this area is never a dull experience.
The truth is, you could drive the peninsula a dozen times and have a dozen different experiences. There are also dozens of hidden gems that even the locals tend to miss. This single-day road trip highlights a few of those spots that are worth seeking out if you can manage to find them.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate
Start your adventure in Port Angeles and seek out the lovely Madison Falls. A short, paved 0.2-mile trail will take you straight to the viewpoint.
Next, head 15 miles west of Port Angeles and check out the stunning Salt Creek Recreation Area. Once the home of Camp Hayden, a World War II military camp, it is now a beautiful 196-acre park and campground with some gorgeous views.
One of the highlights of the Salt Creek Recreation Area is the Striped Peak Trail. The trail itself is 5 miles in length, so you won't have time to hike the entire thing and stay on track. However, Striped Peak Falls is visible after about a mile.
Stock up on snacks and drinks at the Joyce General Store. As the oldest continuously operating general store in our state, this place is always worth paying a visit.
Located near Clallam Bay, Hoko Falls is actually a series of very small cascades located along the Hoko River. They drop about five feet at the head of a narrow gorge. The GPS coordinates are not easy to find, so this might be a tricky spot to discover.
The Ozette Indian Village Archeological Site is the site of an archaeological excavation, but it was once a village occupied by the Ozette Makah people. This historical landmark is often used by people hiking the 9.5-mile long Ozette Loop.
Do you have any favorite little-known spots on the Olympic Peninsula?
Address: Madison Falls Trailhead, 1930 Olympic Hot Springs Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98363, USA
Address: Salt Creek Recreation Area, Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary, 3506 Camp Hayden Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98363, USA
Address: Striped Peak Trailhead, Port Angeles, WA 98363, USA
Address: Joyce General Store, 50893 WA-112, Port Angeles, WA 98363, USA
Address: Hoko Falls, Washington 98326, USA
Address: Ozette Native American Village Archeological Site, Clallam Bay-Neah Bay,, Clallam Bay, WA 98326, USA
