Drive the Olympic Peninsula Loop

Washington’s Olympic Peninsula offers a stunningly beautiful and diverse array of both natural and man-made attractions that would take months or even longer to truly explore. One way to get a small taste of all it has to offer is on the Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive!

The US Highway 101, Olympic Peninsula Loop encircles the entirety of the peninsula, including Olympic National Park, Olympic National Forest, the Ho Rain Forest, and Lake Quinault. Along the route you’ll see seastacks and lighthouses, waterfalls and rainforests, beaches and breweries, and maybe even some whales!

The loop is a 300 mile-long odyssey through some of the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous landscape in the state – if not the entire country. We say this with absolute certainty not just because we’ve driven the loop but because we live here!

Manitou Lodge offers a variety of accommodations on the Olympic Peninsula, between Forks and La Push. We offer rooms in our main lodge, cottages, cabins, and even tent sites. Our close proximity to the Forks Twilight scene and coastal attractions like Second Beach and Olympic National Park makes us the perfect home base for all your Olympic Peninsula adventures!

Attractions Along the Olympic Peninsula Loop

Lighthouses
Did you know there are seven historic lighthouses to be seen along the Olympic Peninsula? One, the Cape Flattery Lighthouse, has even been in service since 1854!

Waterfalls
The Olympic Peninsula Loop leads to lots of spectacular and photogenic waterfalls. So many in fact that they have their own trail: the Olympic Peninsula Waterfall Trail!

Wildlife
From birds to elk to whales and so much more more, the Olympic Peninsula is thriving with wildlife. The Olympic Peninsula Loop coincides with segments of both the West Coast Whale Trail and the Great Washington State Birding Trail and that’s just the beginning.

Geochaching
If you’re a geocacher – or a treasure hunter – you’ll enjoy sleuthing through the Olympic Peninsula GeoTour. The GeoTour includes more than 30 geocaches and commemorative coins are still available for each phase.

Twilight & Forks
Forks WA, setting of the famous Twilight books and movie series, is right up the road from our Olympic National Park lodging. Come soak up all things Edward and Bella, along with dining, museums, and more.

Dining
The Olympic Peninsula isn’t all waterfalls, wildlife, and vampires. We’re also home to some of the freshest, most unique, and delicious farm- and sea-to-table fare in the country. Discover all there is to taste on the Olympic Culinary Loop.

Craft Beverages
Washington’s craft brewing, distilling, and winery scenes have all bubbled over in recent years, and the Olympic Peninsula is no exception. We currently have 8 wineries, 7 breweries, 3 distilleries, and 3 cideries, most of which welcome drop-ins with samples and bottle shops. Some even offer bites to go with their sips. Learn more.

And That’s Not All

The above are just a few general ideas. With so many miles of beach, forest, and town to explore, so many facets to take in, your Olympic Peninsula Loop adventures can take almost any shape.

Go at your own rate with plenty of time to take it all in. Focus in on one type of attraction or take a whirlwind tour of it all. You won’t be disappointed, either way.

Maniotu Lodge is here to help with a variety of Olympic National Park lodging options and a resident’s knowledge of the area. We can’t wait to see you!