Summer is an exhilarating time on the peninsula when our landscape bursts into life with wildflowers in full bloom and wildlife is at its most active. Whether you’re seeking the serenity of nature or the thrill of outdoor adventures, the longer, warmer days on the Olympic Peninsula offer a perfect blend of both. You’ll find festivals for every taste and interest, races and rides to test your skills, low tides and high peaks just waiting to be explored. We have so much fun in store for your visit, with unforgettable experiences for everyone.
Along the east side of the Olympic Peninsula, Hood Canal and its surrounding areas offer an expansive variety of adventures, from hiking to kayaking and scuba diving to harvesting shellfish. Discover why June is the perfect time to explore the natural wonders and hidden gems of the Olympic Peninsula. We can’t wait to welcome you!
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• Plan Ahead – Summer’s Going to Be Busy!
• Olympic Peninsula Insights – Fill Your Days with Enticing Adventures on Hood Canal and South Puget Sound
• Upcoming Events
• Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary – Olympic Coast Discovery Center
• Olympic National Park – Free Boat Cleaning Stations
• Olympic National Forest – Seal Rock
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Summer’s Going to Be Busy! | |
The next three months are looking very busy for the Olympic Peninsula. We encourage you to plan ahead before you visit and be sure you’ve got accommodations reserved. We’ve made that easy for you with our lodging search and referral tool on our website, OlympicPeninsula.org. You can search for lodging, including camping, using your travel dates and various filters then view rates and availability, and finally book directly with your selected lodging business or campground. We think you’ll find this tool quite useful in your trip planning.
As with many places around the Pacific Northwest, summer is a time for road construction and repairs. The Olympic Peninsula is no exception. To assist you as you plan to travel here, please check our website for Travel Alerts so you can plan accordingly for construction and any anticipated delays this summer.
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OLYMPIC PENINSULA INSIGHTS | |
Fill Your Days with Enticing Adventures on
Hood Canal and South Puget Sound
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Mason County Forest Festival
Shelton
May 30 – June 2
For 80 years, the Mason County Forest Festival has been proud to host a celebration of rich forest traditions. The festival includes the entire community in this annual event with the 2024 theme, “Bunyan & Babe.” LEARN MORE
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Grays Harbor Festival of Colors
Ocean Shores
May 31 – June 2
Head to Ocean Shores for the Grays Harbor Festival of Colors, the premier kite festival on the west coast! This event is perfect for kite fliers of all skill levels and has special events the entire family will enjoy. LEARN MORE
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North Olympic Discovery Marathon
Sequim to Port Angeles
June 1 – 2
Over two days, a series of five races take place along the Strait of Juan de Fuca spanning a section of the Olympic Discovery Trail. You can run, walk or relay the full marathon, half-marathon, 10K and 5K as well as the kids marathon. This running event is an official Boston Marathon qualifier and a certified USA Track & Field course. LEARN MORE
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Race to Alaska
Port Townsend
June 9
Anticipation is building as the race teams are gearing up for no motor, no support, all the way to Alaska. Come to the Ruckus on June 8 to see the boats, meet the racers, and party. The race start is June 9 at 5 am. Watch the boats take off for the first leg to Victoria, BC, from the comfort of the dock at the Northwest Maritime Center. LEARN MORE
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Washington State Parks – Free Admission Day
June 8, 9 and 19
On June 8, Washington State Parks (WSP) will celebrate National Get Outdoors Day, by offering free admission. Free Fishing Day is also an admission-free day on June 9 as well as on June 19, when WSP will celebrate Juneteenth. These three dates in June do not require a Discover Pass. LEARN MORE
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Maritime Festival
Port Angeles
June 8 – 9
Plan a fun weekend of nautical-inspired events along Port Angeles’ downtown waterfront celebrating the city’s maritime heritage, water sports, and BIG boats! From boat tours, scavenger hunts and live music from the Navy brass band to a Salish Sea swimming event, the Maritime Festival is back with a fun festival for all ages.
LEARN MORE
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West End Thunder Drag Racing
Forks
June 15-16, July 13-14, August 3-4, August 31-September 1
The West End Thunder drag racing and car show in Forks happens at the Forks Airport. All racers are welcome, so come and fulfil your “need for speed.” LEARN MORE
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Gravel Unravel Bicycle Series
Bon Jon Pass Out
Quilcene
June 15
Challenge your physical abilities to the max as you head to Bon Jon Pass through a deep green forest to then emerge and enjoy the views and ridges, returning via Lords Lake Loop. There’s a short course of 25-35 miles, a medium course of 45-55 miles and the long course of 65-80 miles. LEARN MORE
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Fjordin Crossin and Paddle the Canal
Hoodsport
June 22
Fjordin Crossin is a fun family event that celebrates an Aquavit tradition of sending a barrel of Aquavit in a ship from Norway across the Equator and back again. The Fjordin Crossin in Hoodsport crosses the Hood Canal, the only saltwater fjord in the lower 48. Join the Paddle the Canal challenge in your own watercraft alongside Hardware Distillery’s Dill Aquavit!
LEARN MORE
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Sequim Music in the Park
Sequim
June 25 – August 27
Grab a chair, blanket, and picnic and join us each Tuesday evening throughout the summer from 6 to 8 pm for a free concert series at James Center for the Performing Arts at Carrie Blake Park. The concerts feature new groups and regional favorites. Great fun for the entire family.
LEARN MORE
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OLYMPIC COAST NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY | |
Olympic Coast Discovery Center | |
Olympic Coast Discovery Center, located on the Port Angeles waterfront, is opening over the Memorial Day weekend and will be open through Indigenous Peoples Day in October. Visit the Center first then launch your own journey of discovery to the wild and bountiful Olympic Coast. Gather visitor information, learn about marine conservation and species, science and exploration plus maritime heritage during your visit. LEARN MORE. | | |
Free Boat Cleaning Stations at Lake Crescent and Lake Ozette | |
Olympic National Park is launching a new aquatic invasive species program to protect Lake Crescent and Lake Ozette. The program will leverage free boat cleaning stations, public outreach, partnerships, and environmental DNA sampling to reduce the spread of existing invasive species and prevent the introduction of new invasive species. Two aquatic invasive species were detected in Lake Crescent in 2019 and 2022: New Zealand mudsnails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) and Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea). Asian clams were identified in Lake Ozette in 2018. Both Asian clams and New Zealand mudsnails are known for reproducing rapidly and spreading quickly. To prevent the spread of invasive species to other areas, recreational boaters are encouraged to use free cleaning stations at Lake Ozette and the Fairholme, Storm King, and Log Cabin Resort boat launch stations on Lake Crescent.
Boat cleaning stations should be used before and after boating. All watercraft, including boats, kayaks, rafts, stand-up paddleboards, and other flotation devices should be cleaned. LEARN MORE about how to prevent invasive species.
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Before your visit to Olympic National Park, call the recorded Road & Weather line at 360.565.3131 to check the status of roads and campgrounds and for weather information (updated twice daily). Check the park website at www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm for alerts and current conditions.
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Campers who stay at Olympic National Forest’s Seal Rock Campground on the shores of Hood Canal can harvest fresh shellfish from the canal. The Seal Rock tidelands are home to Pacific Oysters and Olympia Oysters (native species) as well as butter clams, littleneck clams (native species), manila clams, horse clams, cockles, and some geoducks in sandy areas below the rocks.
The tidelands also provide an excellent tide pooling opportunity and are home to sea stars, kelp crabs and midshipmen fish. While the beach is federally managed, all Washington state safety rules, shellfish harvest regulations, and license requirements still apply. Shellfish harvesters should check Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) website for current water quality and safety information. Washington State Department of Health advises harvesters to thoroughly cook shellfish harvested during May through September to avoid illness due to Vibriosis. Seal Rock Campground tidelands are the only federally managed oyster beds within the National Forest System.
For current health status and water quality reports. For information on Seal Rock Campground.
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When the beautiful, warm summer weather inspires you to travel, to get away and play, we hope you’ll consider a trip to the Olympic Peninsula. The mountains, forests, beaches and trails are all ready for action. Our welcoming communities offer a range of accommodations, dining and entertainment. When visiting, we ask that you remember to always #RecreateResponsibly.
If we can assist you with your travel planning, please contact us directly. We look forward to seeing you on the Olympic Peninsula this season!
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