Seattle: Olympic National Park Day Tour with Ferry & Lunch
A full day in Olympic from Seattle, ferry to forest to ridge and back by sunset
You get picked up in Seattle, ferried across Puget Sound, and spend the day in Olympic National Park with a naturalist guide who tailors the route to the season and weather: Lake Crescent, waterfalls, or Hurricane Ridge, depending on conditions. Lunch, all drinks, snacks, and park entry are included. The van holds ten people, and you're back in the city by evening.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Olympic National Park highlights
- Take ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island
- Drive across Hood Canal floating bridge
- Scenic drive toward Olympic National Park
- Visit Elwha River ecosystem (weather permitting)
- Enter Olympic National Park and observe nature
- Visit Lake Crescent and surrounding forest
- Nature walk to hidden waterfall
- Visit North Coast tidepools (weather permitting)
- Drive to Hurricane Ridge for views and trails
- Return ferry from Bainbridge Island to Seattle
- Drop off at original meeting point
The experience
"The trees are bigger than you think they'll be," our guide said as we pulled away from the ferry dock, and she wasn't wrong. The morning starts early. You're picked up at your Seattle hotel or rental, then driven to the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal downtown. The ferry itself is part of the tour. It's not just transport. You cross Puget Sound on an actual Washington State ferry, the kind locals use, and the water and sky shift the whole way across. Once you're on the other side, the drive toward Olympic National Park takes you over the Hood Canal floating bridge, which is its own small moment. You're literally driving across water on a bridge that floats. The van holds ten people max, which means it never feels crowded, and your naturalist guide is already talking about what the day might hold.
What you actually see depends on the season and weather. That's the honest part. The itinerary is a sample, not a script. On a clear summer day, you might find yourself at Lake Crescent, which genuinely looks like something from a fantasy novel: turquoise water, old-growth forest climbing straight up from the shore, moss so thick it glows. Or you could be on a nature walk to a waterfall hidden among giant trees, or at Hurricane Ridge looking across the Salish Sea toward Vancouver Island. In winter, if the road's open, you're on snowshoes trekking the ridge itself. The guide reads the conditions and picks what makes sense that day. You spend a lot of time outside: real time, not a quick photo stop. There's also the Elwha River ecosystem, where they removed the largest dam on the planet, and if the coast is on the menu, you're tidepooling and looking for wildlife.
Around midday, you stop for lunch. Your guide brings it (local, organic, seasonal), and you eat outside in a quiet spot with views. Coffee and pastries come in the morning, and throughout the day there's water, sparkling water, snacks, tea, and cocoa. Nothing is left to you to figure out. The park itself has no gate. You just notice the trees are suddenly massive, the moss is greener, and the whole place feels like another world. Olympic National Park is nearly a million acres of UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a single day barely scratches it, but that's the point. You're not rushing through a checklist. You're moving through the park with someone who knows it, and the pace is set by what's actually there that day.
The ferry ride back happens in the late afternoon, and if the timing works, you watch the Seattle skyline light up as you cross the Sound again. You're dropped off back where you started, usually by evening. The whole day is all-inclusive: entry fees, transport, guide, food, drinks, gear if you need it. If you have dietary restrictions, you tell them 48 hours ahead. Waterproof shoes are required November through April. They can help with rentals if you don't have them. The tour runs in all weather, so dress for the season. You need to be at least ten years old, and comfortable with walking. The hikes are tailored to the group, but there's no avoiding being on your feet outside for most of the day.
What’s included
- Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in downtown Seattle, round-trip ferry tickets across Puget Sound, Olympic National Park entrance fees, a full-day naturalist guide, guided hikes or snowshoe treks tailored to your group, a seasonal local lunch eaten outside, morning coffee and pastries, and all-day beverages including tea, cocoa, sparkling water, and snacks.
- Snowshoe gear is provided in winter months, and additional warm clothing is available upon request.
- Transportation is in a newer Ford Transit van with groups of 10 or fewer.
Information
Lasts 12h, runs Friday and Sunday at 07:30, from US$ 368 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 10 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.
Prices and times updated 3 days ago
Operated by Evergreen Escapes Seattle
Is this one for you?A good fit if you're based in Seattle and want a full day in Olympic National Park without arranging your own transport, park entry, or logistics: the guide's knowledge of seasonal conditions means you see what's actually worth seeing that day, and the all-inclusive setup means you focus on being outside instead of managing details. Plan for a full day out, with real walking and time in the forest. That's what makes the park feel like another world instead of a quick drive-through.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
How long is the full day tour?
It's a full-day tour from morning pickup to evening drop-off. The ferry crossing, drive, and time in the park take most of the daylight hours.
What's included in the price?
Hotel pickup and drop-off, ferry tickets, Olympic National Park entrance fees, a naturalist guide, lunch, coffee, tea, snacks, water, and all beverages for the day. Snowshoe gear is included in winter months.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes. The itinerary shown is a sample. Your guide tailors the day based on season, weather, and what's best for the group that day. You might visit Lake Crescent, Hurricane Ridge, waterfalls, the coast, or the Elwha River ecosystem.
What's the group size?
Groups are limited to 10 travelers maximum, including your naturalist guide.
Do I need special shoes or gear?
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. From November through April, waterproof or water-resistant shoes are required. The company can help with rental options if you don't have them. Snowshoe gear is provided in winter.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
Let the company know 48 hours before your tour departure, and they'll accommodate your needs for the lunch.
Does the tour run in bad weather?
Yes, it operates in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately for the season: rain gear is a good idea, especially in winter months.
Will there be other travelers on the tour?
Yes, this is a public small-group tour. You'll be with up to 10 guests total, including your guide.
What if the road to Hurricane Ridge is closed?
Your guide will adjust the itinerary based on conditions. There are other highlights in the park (lakes, waterfalls, forest walks, and the coast), so the day is still full even if one area is inaccessible.
Seattle: Olympic National Park Day Tour with Ferry & Lunch
12h · EN
from US$ 368 per person