Olympic National Park beaches and rainforests

Last year we visited some eastern parts of Olympic National Park in Washington state. This year, we visited several western parts of the park, including beaches and rainforests.

Quinault River Ranger Station:

Quinault River Ranger Station

Maple Glade Rain Forest Trail:

Maple Glade Rain Forest Trail

Salmon House Restaurant for dinner:

Salmon House Restaurant

Seabrook, a created town on the coast, aka the hellmouth:

Seabrook

Kalaloch Ranger Station:

Kalaloch Ranger Station

Kalaloch Beach:

Kalaloch Beach

Tree of Life:

Tree of Life

Kalaloch Beach

Picnic:

Kalaloch Beach

Beach 4 Nature Trail:

Beach 4 Nature Trail

Big Cedar Nature Trail:

Big Cedar Nature Trail

Hoh Rain Forest:

Hoh Rain Forest

1.5 hours delay?!

Delay

After half an hour in the line, and at least another half hour or more still to go, we gave up and turned around. Not worth that wait.

We stopped at Hard Rain Cafe for a snack:

Hard Rain Cafe

Mora:

Mora

Rialto Beach:

Rialto Beach

Ocean City beach

One thing we really enjoyed about staying at Thousand Trails Oceana RV & Camping Resort in Ocean City, Washington was the proximity to the beach; a five minute walk (and unlike Thousand Trails Whalers Rest in South Beach, no need to cross highway 101). We went for daily walks along the beach.

Ocean City beach

Further down the beach, vehicles were more common, but they mostly didn’t make it down this far:

Ocean City beach

Lots of interesting shells:

Ocean City beach

Including crab shells:

Ocean City beach

And crab guts:

Ocean City beach

We took a bag on our walks, collecting garbage:

Ocean City beach

Thousand Trails Oceana RV & Camping Resort

We stayed at Thousand Trails Oceana RV & Camping Resort in Ocean City, Washington. (Campground Reviews listing.)

Another Thousand Trails park, with a path to the beach. Quite nice, other than only being 30 amp and no sewer.

Dates:

Check in: 2023-06-04
Check out: 2023-06-11
7 nights

Weather:

Partly cloudy
High temps ranging between 58-66°F, lows around 47-53°F
37 gusts on first day, less on subsequent days

Noise:

No road noise
No train noise
Negligible neighbor noise

Site:

#C31, back in, gravel
Needed to disconnect toad; parked next to coach
A little unlevel, but not too bad
Medium site: about 50 feet long by about 40 feet wide
Picnic table on gravel
Tall trees
(This site is planned for a cabin, but they haven’t installed it yet)

Utilities:

Only 30 amp power, somewhat conveniently located
40 PSI water, very inconveniently located
No sewer

Internet (in usage priority order):

T-Mobile: 5-7 Mbps down, 1-5 Mbps up, 50 ms ping
AT&T: 9 Mbps down, 2 Mbps up, 30-130 ms ping
Verizon: 6 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up, 40 ms ping
Starlink: not used
Campground Wi-Fi: not used

Amenities:

Dumpsters
No pool
Path to beach

Our review on Campground Reviews:

30A, no sewer, still loved it

Thousand Trails parks are a study in compromise. We could have had a 30A FHU site at the front of the park by the main road but opted for a larger site without sewer, away from the noise. There are minimal 50A sites, and they were all taken; they also have no sewer. So we watched our power consumption and our tank levels while still thoroughly enjoying our location. The staff were all very friendly and helpful, but the pathway to the beach absolutely made this park a favorite. The mosquitoes do get a bit ravenous, so make sure to pack your repellent. We camped at Thousand Trails Oceana RV Campground in a Motorhome.

Tip for Other Campers: There are several units of Olympic National Park nearby that make for excellent day trips. Be prepared for a gnarly wait if you go to Hoh Rainforest.

Interactive map (zoom out a bit to see how close it is to the beach):

Campground map; the three circled sites were apparently the only 50 amp ones:

Map

Our site:

Our site

The water tap wasn’t very close; technically in a tent site that isn’t on the map:

Water

Only 30 amp power available:

30 amp power

So I used a “dogbone” plug adapter to connect our 50 amp surge protector and cord:

Power

The power, water softener, and water filter:

Power and water

Entrance:

Entrance

Dump station:

Dump station

Other sites:

Other sites

Long-term sites:

Long-term sites

Tent sites:

Tent sites

Bridge:

Bridge

Games:

Games

Playground:

Playground

Path to the beach:

Path to the beach

Video

Video: Seaside, Oregon to Ocean City, Washington motorhome travel timelapse

A timelapse of driving our RV, a Tiffin Allegro Bus motorhome, 119 miles from Seaside, Oregon to Ocean City, Washington.

Travel from Seaside, Oregon to Ocean City, Washington

We drove our coach 119 miles, about three hours of driving, from Seaside, Oregon to Ocean City, Washington.

Here’s the map route, heading north:

Route

Interactive map, with potential stops marked; we didn’t stop at any:

We drove to an open area to hook up our truck to our coach:

Leaving campground

Toading up

Another RV toading up; they started before us, and finished after us; with our weekly practice, it doesn’t take us long to do:

Another RV toading up

Leaving the campground:

Leaving campground

Crossing the Astoria-Megler Bridge from Oregon to Washington; a little nerve-wracking, with a curved approach and high bridge, but it was fine:

Astoria-Megler Bridge

Astoria

Astoria-Megler Bridge

Low tide exposing the sandbar:

Low tide

Entering Washington state:

Entering Washington

We could have gone left or right, but I had decided on left to avoid some roadworks (planning the route pays off):

Turning left

Lighthouse:

Lighthouse

Tunnel:

Tunnel

Another bridge:

Another bridge

Aaaargh! COFFEE!

Artwork in Raymond:

Artwork

An advantage of a motorhome is I can get up and use the bathroom while Jenn is driving — a very rare occurrence, since there is some risk in moving about while in motion, and we prefer to take rest stops so we can both take a pee break, but on this occasion Jenn didn’t need to stop:

Inside while driving

Pilings:

Pilings

Rusty building and structures in Aberdeen (a rather ugly city):

Rusty building and structures

A mural helps a little:

Mural

Rusty bridge:

Rusty bridge

We paused in a slow vehicle turnout to let other vehicles pass:

Slow vehicle turnout

Bridge:

Bridge

Our destination, Thousand Trails Oceana:

Our destination

Checking in:

Checking in

Our coach in front of our site, preparing to back in:

Our coach in front of our site

Dryer vent padding

Our coach includes a washer and dryer, which is very convenient when we’re living in it full-time. But in strong winds at certain angles, the flap that covers the dryer vent would bang in the wind. It is sheltered with a hood, but that doesn’t always help:

Dryer vent

The flap under the hood, that covers the vent outlet:

Dryer vent

To avoid that annoying banging, which would disturb us at night, I added some strips of self-adhesive felt around the flap, to muffle the sound:

Dryer vent

That solved that little annoyance quite satisfactorily.

Pacific coast food

For most of my life, I’ve disliked and avoided seafood. But as part of our traveling lifestyle, we’ve been stretching our comfort zones. For myself, one of those efforts is to try new foods, and especially to eat more seafood.

While we traveled up the Pacific coast this year, I took the opportunity to sample several seafood options, and especially a lot of clam chowder.

Due West Tavern in Olema, California:

Due West in Olema, California

Menu:

The first time I ordered clam chowder; fortunately, it was a very good one:

Clam chowder

Jenn’s fish and chips:

Jenn's fish and chips

My burger and fries (sticking with a more safe option at this stage):

My burger and fries

Chart Room, Crescent City, California:

Chart Room, Crescent City, California

Crab pots snowmen:

Crab pots snowmen

Chart Room

Sea lions:

Sea lions

Menu:

Jenn:

Jenn

Jenn’s clam chowder:

Jenn's clam chowder

My salad:

My salad

Jenn’s clam strips, coleslaw, fries:

Jenn's clam strips, coleslaw, fries

My clam chowder bread bowl; based on the previous success, I decided to dive in:

My clam chowder bread bowl

The Boat House, Coos Bay, Oregon, a travel day stop:

The Boat House, Coos Bay, Oregon

Menu:

Clam chowder appetizers:

Clam chowder

My burger and fries (playing safe on a travel day):

My burger and fries

Jenn’s fish and shrimp:

Jenn's fish and shrimp

Mo’s in Florence, Oregon:

Mo's in Florence, Oregon

Menu:

Mo's in Florence, Oregon

Jenn’s shrimp noodles:

Jenn's shrimp noodles

My clam chowder bread bowl:

My clam chowder bread bowl

Pressed penny:

Pressed penny

Griff’s on the Bay, Reedsport, Oregon:

Griff's on the Bay, Reedsport, Oregon

Menu:

My clam chowder bread bowl (I liked the toasted edge):

My clam chowder bread bowl

Clearwater, Newport, Oregon; we went there for my birthday:

Clearwater, Newport, Oregon

Menu:

Bridge view:

Bridge view

David and beverage:

David and beverage

Clam chowder:

Clam chowder

Fancy deviled eggs:

Fancy deviled eggs

Beverages:

Beverages

Jenn’s thing:

Jenn's thing

My steak:

My steak

Seagulls and sea lion:

Seagulls and sea lion

Seagulls

Dessert menu:

Dessert menu

Waffles:

Waffles

Brownie:

Brownie

Mo’s in Newport, Oregon:

Mo's in Newport, Oregon

Menu:

Clam chowder:

Clam chowder

My clam strips and mashed spuds:

My clam strips and mashed spuds

Jenn’s clam chowder bread bowl:

Jenn's clam chowder bread bowl

Mo’s in Otter Rock, Oregon:

Mo's in Otter Rock, Oregon

Menu:

Mo's in Otter Rock, Oregon

Different kinds of fish and chips:

Different kinds of fish and chips

Lakeside Hideaway in Rockaway Beach, Oregon, another travel day stop:

Lakeside Hideaway in Rockaway Beach, Oregon

Menu:

Clam chowder:

Clam chowder

Club sandwiches and tots:

Club sandwiches and tots

Mo’s in Seaside, Oregon:

Mo's in Seaside, Oregon

Menu:

Clam chowder:

Clam chowder

Fish, clam strips, shrimp:

Fish, clam strips, shrimp

Platter with a view

Pig’n Pancake in Seaside, Oregon:

Pig'n Pancake in Seaside, Oregon

Menu:

Clam chowder:

Clam chowder

Jenn’s breakfast:

Breakfast

My baked spud and razor clams:

My baked spud, razor clams

Grizzly Tuna in Seaside, Oregon:

Grizzly Tuna in Seaside, Oregon

Tuna and chips:

Tuna and chips

That’s it for the coast, but I’ve had seafood several times since then too. So, it’s probably fair to say that it’s now a regular part of my diet. Mission accomplished!

Seaside, Oregon

Some scenes around Seaside, Oregon:

Seaside

Thousand Trails Seaside

We stayed at Thousand Trails Seaside in Seaside, Oregon. (Campground Reviews listing.)

A nice Thousand Trails park.

Dates:

Check in: 2023-05-28
Check out: 2023-06-04
7 nights

Weather:

Partly cloudy
High temps ranging between 58-65°F, lows around 46-51°F
A little wind

Noise:

No road noise
No train noise
A little neighbor noise

Site:

#158, back in, gravel
Needed to disconnect toad; parked in front of coach
Rather unlevel; took us a few tries, and needed blocks under the front jacks
Medium site: about 50 feet long by about 40 feet wide
Picnic table and fire pit on grass

Utilities:

50 amp power, inconveniently located
65 PSI water, inconveniently located
Good sewer connection, conveniently located (1 10-foot pipe needed)

Internet (in usage priority order):

T-Mobile: 25-29 Mbps down, 4-10 Mbps up, 40 ms ping
AT&T: 4 Mbps down, 2 Mbps up, 70 ms ping
Verizon: 4 Mbps down, 6 Mbps up, 30 ms ping
Starlink: not used
Campground Wi-Fi: not used

Amenities:

Dumpsters only by entrance
Indoor pool

Our review on Campground Reviews:

Large, busy park

First, a very important tip, especially when staying at a Thousand Trails or other first-come park: Do not arrive on the Sunday of a three-day weekend. We forgot about Memorial Day when we planned our route, and trying to find an open 50A site was diabolical on Sunday afternoon. Another rig that pulled in behind us was faster unhooking their toad and zipped ahead of us to take the last available site. Rude. So we drove around the north section (where the 50A sites are) for quite a while with no joy. Fortunately, a seasonal resident was just about to move from their temporary site to their permanent one and flagged us down. We waited while they packed up and moved, then we were able to pull into a nice end site near the bathroom block. Normally, I don’t like being so close to the bathrooms, but we needed to sanitize our water system, so it was very convenient. The site itself was incredibly unlevel and it took us quite a while to get as close to level as possible but never got completely there. Once we got situated, it wasn’t a bad place to stay, however. We camped at Thousand Trails Seaside in a Motorhome.

Tip for Other Campers: Pizza delivery from Angelina’s right to your site. Drive up to Washington and check out the Cape Disappointment lighthouse. Dinner at Mo’s and a walk along the promenade are great ways to spend an evening.

Interactive map:

The map, with all available north-side sites when we checked in circled:

Map

Our arrival experience wasn’t ideal, but mostly on us: we foolishly arrived on Sunday of Memorial weekend, when almost all sites were occupied. The only vacant sites were reserved for seasonal sites. But the people that had reserved one of those directed us to the site they were moving from, which was quite a nice location, albeit not very level:

Our site

Painted rocks left on the picnic table by the previous occupants:

Painted rocks

Utilities:

Utilities

A large grassy area next to our site; not having a neighbor on the driver side was nice:

Grass next to our site

Another nice thing is Angelina’s Pizza delivery on travel day:

Angelina's Pizza delivery

Other sites:

Other sites

Cabins:

Cabins

Tent sites:

Tent sites

Oops, a trailer took a corner too sharply and hit a rock (with a loud crunch):

Trailer hit rock

Tennis courts:

Tennis courts

Indoor pool:

Indoor pool

Clubhouse:

Clubhouse

Playground:

Playground

Bathrooms across the grassy area from our site — we usually don’t use campground bathrooms, but this time having them nearby was helpful, as we sanitized our fresh water tanks, which means not using our own bathrooms for several hours:

Bathrooms