Summer is in full swing, and for the Olympic Peninsula that means sparkling long days, clear starry nights, refreshing offshore breezes, tasty s’mores and ripe berries plus a vast array of fun activities for all. Whether your tastes run to hot bands or cool car shows, bike rides or fairs and festivals, hiking trails or water adventure – or all of the above – you’ll find it here in August.
This month we’re featuring Port Angeles with the city’s wide array of biking activities and wheeled events offering something fun for everyone and every ability. Port Angeles is also a gateway to the Olympic National Park and a jumping-off point for Canada.
There’s still time to make summer memories on the Olympic Peninsula!
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Enjoying s'mores around the campfire | Photo courtesy of Rachel Hochstein |
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An Insider’s View of the Olympic Peninsula – Top 8 Places to Bike in Port Angeles
- Upcoming Summer Events
- Plan Ahead for Early September
- Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
- Olympic National Park
- Olympic National Forest
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AN INSIDER'S VIEW OF THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA
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Top 8 Places to Bike in Port Angeles |
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Bicycles next to the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge | Photo by Lynnette Braillard / Visit Port Angeles
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Explore the Olympic Peninsula’s largest city and see how Port Angeles is becoming one of Washington state’s most popular biking towns. Discover miles of exciting mountain bike trails, the famed Olympic Discovery Trail traversing through Port Angeles, and many more cycling opportunities for the entire family to enjoy. LEARN MORE
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West End Thunder & Hot Thunder Nite
Forks
August 6 – 7
Hot Thunder Nite will be hosted at the track, located at the Forks Airport. “Show-n-Shine” is Saturday, August 6, with entry beginning at 5 pm at the main gate. Or come earlier in the day and watch the races as you “show-n-shine” your own vehicle! LEARN MORE
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Tour de Lavender
Sequim
August 6
Hop on your bike and follow the trail to lavender farms throughout the Sequim-Dungeness Valley. This fun ride is casual and relaxed. If you are looking for more of a challenge, the Tour de Lavender Metric Century will take you on a 64-mile loop. LEARN MORE
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39th Annual Joyce Daze
Wild Blackberry Festival
Joyce
August 6
For a genuine taste of small-town Americana, and scrumptious native wild blackberry pie, Joyce is the place to be. This day-long festival includes a craft fair, parade, salmon bake, entertainment, and did we mention pie? Come join the locals.
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Ride the Hurricane
Port Angeles
August 7
Ride from sea level to the top of Hurricane Ridge on the one morning a year when the road belongs only to the cyclists. This is a ride like no other where you can ascend through Olympic National Park to the stunning viewpoints of Hurricane Ridge. The event is nearly sold out, so advanced reservations are highly recommended. Can’t ride? Consider volunteering—it’s a blast! LEARN MORE
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Northwest Colonial Festival
Port Angeles
August 11 – 14
It’s 1775 again and this year’s event brings that time back to life with a colonial village encampment and daily reenactments of iconic skirmishes, hosted at the George Washington Inn & Estate, sponsored by the George Washington Society.
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Hood Canal Summer Fest and Car Show
Belfair State Park
August 13
After two years off, the North Mason Rotary Club is bringing back their much-loved event (formerly known as The Taste of Hood Canal), revamped to be bigger and better. Enjoy live music and entertainment, food trucks, an art show, vendors and a beer/wine garden plus a classic car show! LEARN MORE
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Renaissance Faire
Sequim
August 13 – 14
Turn back time to the Elizabethan Era, the time of Shakespeare, at the Olympic Theatre Arts’ Renaissance Faire. Come in costume and join the fun. You can even lock up your friends in the pillory, have your fortune read, and go on a scavenger hunt to find many of Shakespeare’s most beloved characters. LEARN MORE
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30th Annual Uptown Street Fair
Port Townsend
August 20
Celebrate 30 years of festivities in Uptown Port Townsend at the Uptown Street Fair where you’ll find a great music line up, kids’ arts and crafts activities, the Farmers Market, the incredibly colorful, yet brief Uptown Parade, the Uptown Beer Garden and food vendors. LEARN MORE
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Hoodstock Music Festival Goes Afloat
Hood Canal Marina
August 20
Bring a boat and good company to listen and soak in the great music from local artists. Enjoy the awesome atmosphere and beautiful, scenic location in the “hood” of Hood Canal.
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Makah Days Celebration
Neah Bay
August 26 – 28
The annual celebration of the Makah spans three days with canoe races, bone games, kids’ races, royalty, a salmon bake, traditional dancing, talent show, vendors and a fireworks show. The celebration includes many activities which honor the tribe’s ancient culture and traditions while commemorating tribal history. LEARN MORE
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Sea to Sound
Port Angeles
August 26 – 28
Bring your wheels for the 74-mile, three-day, multi-modal group ride where wheelchair users are encouraged to participate. The course will take you through some of the Olympic Peninsula’s most beautiful scenery. You can ride small sections, an entire day, or the whole enchilada. This new event showcases the accessibility of the entire Olympic Discovery Trail. LEARN MORE
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Plan Ahead for Early September |
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OLYMPIC COAST NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY |
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Superhero Music Fest
Ocean Shores
August 5 – 7
Check out the Superhero Music Fest and enjoy fun, family-friendly activities such as a street fair, kid-zone attractions, a live music concert, and a superhero beach cleanup. Dress up like your favorite superhero or make your own NOAA Ocean Hero costume with the crew to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary System. LEARN MORE
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National Marine Sanctuaries Stamp Series
August 5 will commemorate the first day of issuance of the United States Postal Services’ new National Marine Sanctuaries Stamp Series.
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Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center |
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When planning a visit to Olympic National Park, be sure to check out the Alerts & Conditions information on the park website at and call the recorded Road & Weather line at 360-565-3131 (updated daily) prior to your visit.
Hurricane Ridge Road Closed Sunday Morning, Aug. 7, 2022, until Noon
Hurricane Ridge Road will be closed to motor vehicles from 6 am to noon on Sunday, August 7 for the “Ride the Hurricane” bicycling event. Expect traffic delays for slow-moving follow vehicles
Hurricane Ridge Road and Parking Areas Striping
There will be morning closures August 1-5 and August 8-10 with the road opening at 9 am.
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Hurricane Ridge
Astronomy Programs
Master Observer John Goar and the Olympic dark skies rangers are conducting their popular night sky programs at Hurricane Ridge this summer! If skies are cloudy, programs will be canceled. For program status, call the park recording at 360-565-3131 after 2 pm the day of the program.
Meet at Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center for a one-hour astronomy program with telescopes. Look for a distant galaxy or the planets Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
- Monday August 15 through Sunday August 21, 9:45 pm
- Monday August 22 through Wednesday August 31, 9:30 pm
Full Moon Hike on Hurricane Hill
Learn constellations on Hurricane Hill. Meet at the Hurricane Hill trailhead. As the sun sets and the full moon rises, hike at your own pace up the 1.6-mile, partially paved trail, climbing 700 feet to the summit. Staff will point out constellations at the top. Bring flashlights and wear sturdy shoes.
- Thursday and Friday, August 11 and 12, 8:30 pm
- Saturday, September 10, 7:30 pm
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Buckhorn Lake | Photo courtesy of Olympic National Forest |
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Fire Safety
The Olympic National Forest is now at a High Fire Danger Level. There are no public use restrictions at this time, but visitors are encouraged to continue safe fire practices including making sure your fire is dead out (cool to the touch) before leaving it unattended.
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Quilcene and Olympia Offices now Open
Before heading west make sure to stop at Quilcene or Olympia for all your information needs.
- The Quilcene Ranger Station is now open to the public and offering in-person services, Tuesday – Thursday from 9 am – 3 pm plus Saturday and Sundays from 9 am – 4 pm. For more information, please call the Quilcene office at 360-765-2200.
- The Supervisor’s Office in Olympia is now open to the public and offering in-person services, Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9 am – 3 pm. For more information, please call the Olympia office at 360-956-2402.
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Designated Wilderness Areas
Did you know the Olympic National Forest has five designated Wilderness Areas?! Check out these links to find recreation opportunities in each Wilderness Area:
Please view the special Regulations associated with Wilderness Areas and always use Leave No Trace techniques to help keep these areas wild, clean, and pristine.
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Click the map for full view. |
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Plan your next trip to the Olympic Peninsula
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Rialto Beach sunset | Photo courtesy of Jennifer Stippich |
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When the delights of summer beckon you to travel and to see some place new or return to a favorite spot, we invite you to come and explore everything the peninsula offers. Come and hike our trails, camp in our spectacular parks and discover the magnificence of Olympic National Park. While you’re here, be sure to #RecreateResponsibly.
If we can assist you with your travel planning, please contact us directly. We look forward to seeing you on the Olympic Peninsula whenever you come for a visit.
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