Take time to enjoy summer’s last hurrah with lingering warm days and star-studded nights. Fall is just around the corner and already days are getting shorter. Plan a trip to enjoy one of our many festivals or events this month or come to savor the breathtaking natural beauty. This is the time of year to discover less crowded trails and beaches, farmers markets brimming with the bounty of harvest and eateries serving delicious meals that celebrate the season. And at the end of the day, snuggle into a cozy cottage or cabin.
This month we’re featuring Forks, famous as the rainiest town in the contiguous United States. While known as the home of the Twilight saga, read on to discover the many other reasons to visit, especially in the fall and winter.
We look forward to seeing you on the Olympic Peninsula in the coming days ahead!
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Sunset over Lake Quinault |
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An Insider’s View of the Olympic Peninsula – Embrace the Rain in Forks
- Cozy Cottages and Cabins on the Olympic Peninsula
- Upcoming Events
- Olympic Culinary Loop
- Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
- Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest
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AN INSIDER'S VIEW OF THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA
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Embrace the Rain in Forks |
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It's the rain that makes the rain forests so green and lush! |
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If you love to splash in puddles and kiss in the rain, Forks is the place for you! One of the reasons the Twilight novels were based in Forks was because author Stephenie Meyer researched the rainiest places in the country and the town kept popping up. But Forks offers more than rain or the setting for the popular series. Here you can experience everything from outdoor recreational opportunities in magnificent forests, on rivers and beaches to exploring unique museums. Delight in the charming, relaxed atmosphere of the town and learn about the forestry industry that’s kept it growing over the years. LEARN MORE
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COZY COTTAGES AND CABINS
ON THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA
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Staying in a cottage or cabin is like having your own home away from home with space to spread out and relish privacy. They’re often tucked into places of serene beauty, sometimes surrounded by trees or along bluffs with water views, maybe even offering a deck to take in the sights and sounds of Mother Nature. Many have kitchen facilities making it easy and economical to feed a family or simply to have some quiet time. And if your furry friend is an important traveling companion, cottages and cabins are often pet-friendly.
Whatever cozy cottage or comfy cabin you’re looking for, we can help. Check out the “Book Your Stay” feature on our website to search for availability and rates then connect directly to the accommodation of your choice. We think you’ll find this to be a useful time-saver.
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Peninsula ART Friends Art Faire
Sequim
September 2 and 3
Enjoy the work of award-winning artists in this first annual event featuring works of art created in water-based media. Art demonstrations and art activities will be offered for all ages and will include hand-crafted art. LEARN MORE
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Forever Twilight in Forks
Forks
September 8 – 11
Forks will forever be the home of Twilight, and so to honor the love story that started it all, Forks is pleased and proud to invite you to join the fun for a four-day festival. Come celebrate in the actual town where the story takes place. LEARN MORE
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Wooden Boat Festival
Port Townsend
September 9 – 11
Every year hundreds of wooden boats of all shapes and sizes gather in Washington’s most beautiful Victorian seaport for North America’s largest wooden boat festival. With boat races, special demonstrations, presentations, music, dancing, and no shortage of great food, the festival is a weekend of endless fun for all ages. LEARN MORE
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Great Strait Sale
Hwy 112
September 10
Sponsored by the Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Association, the annual event spans 61 miles of sales all along Highway 112 and runs from 9am - 4pm. It encompasses the areas of Joyce, Clallam Bay and Sekiu with sales at community members’ homes and neighborhoods along the route in true “flea market” style. It’s a “fun-raiser” you won’t want to miss! LEARN MORE
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23rd Annual Port Townsend Film Festival
Port Townsend
September 22 – 25 (in-person)
September 26 – October 2 (streaming online)
Connect. Explore. Celebrate. This four-day in-person festival is an immersive, cinematic experience with multiple theatres, live filmmaker panels, nightly outdoor screenings, and more, all set within Port Townsend’s historic art district. LEARN MORE
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The Big Hurt
Port Angeles
September 25 and 26
Get ready for The Big Hurt—a fun Pacific Northwest fitness experience at the base of Olympic National Park. You’ll tackle four legs in this multi-sport race: a 10K run, mountain biking, kayaking and road biking. Don’t miss the post-race party called "The Experience" with food, music, and a beer garden. LEARN MORE
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OysterFest 2022
Shelton
September 30 – October 2
Mollusks, microbrews, music and more abound at the annual OysterFest extravaganza, home to the West Coast Oyster Shucking Championships and is Washington’s official Seafood Festival. You’ll find hands-on water quality exhibits and the largest food menu you can imagine with Washington wine pairings available. LEARN MORE
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21st Annual Dungeness Crab
& Seafood Festival
Port Angeles
October 7 – 9
Save the date and plan to attend the signature Pacific Northwest culinary event which is looking forward to another “crabstatic” year. CrabFest will be held in venues around downtown Port Angeles. Advanced crab dinner tickets are on sale now, and you’ll want to reserve yours! LEARN MORE
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September – Eat Local First
See who's cooking up Local First eats across the North Olympic Peninsula
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The bounty we have all around the Loop can match any spot in the world known for culinary experiences. Join the Olympic Culinary Loop on a month-long celebration this September to explore and enjoy the bounty of local food. We invite you to bring your appetite for adventure and delicious food all around the Loop! LEARN MORE
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OLYMPIC COAST NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY |
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International Coastal Cleanup Registration Now Open
Saturday, September 17
(times vary by location, see site specific information for details).
Join Washington CoastSavers, an alliance of partners, and participants from around the world in celebrating clean beaches by removing marine debris from Pacific coast and Strait of Juan de Fuca beaches. For more than 35 years, the International Coastal Cleanup has galvanized communities worldwide to collect trash that pollutes our waterways, making our coasts cleaner and our ocean healthier. Come together with thousands of volunteers to remove tons of harmful and unsightly marine debris off nearly 200 miles of Washington beaches.
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OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
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OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST
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Photo courtesy of Rubi Reynozo |
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It’s National Public Lands Day on September 26 with free admission to Olympic National Park. In the Olympic National Forest, fees will be waived at developed recreation sites. Established in 1994, National Public Lands Day is traditionally the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort. It celebrates the connection between people and green space in their community, inspires environmental stewardship, and encourages use of open space for education, recreation, and health benefits.
As summer comes to an end, visitors are reminded about continued fire use restrictions and potential for drastic weather changes at elevation. Both Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest limits campfire use to designated campgrounds and picnic areas within fire rings since the fire danger is high. Gas or propane camp stoves are okay.
Obstruction Point/ Hurricane Ridge Road – Closures for road work, Sept. 16 – Oct. 21
A project to repair a section of Obstruction Point Road near the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center Parking Lot will begin after the Labor Day weekend. Hurricane Ridge Road will be closed to all traffic (bikes, hikers, vehicles) September 16 through October 21 at the Heart O’ the Hills Entrance Station gate. The last day of summer operations at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center will be September 15.
Ruby Beach Closed through September 16
The Ruby Beach entrance road, parking area, and beach access trail is closed to all public access for construction activities with no pedestrian access. Beach alternatives are Beach 1, 2, 3 and 4 as well as Rialto Beach, Second Beach, Third Beach and Fourth Beach located in the Quileute Indian Reservation.
Check out the Calendar on the Olympic National Park website to find Ranger Programs during your visit!
The best way to enjoy Olympic National Park is by planning ahead. Visit the park website for travel alerts and trip planning information and call the recorded Road & Weather line at 360-565-3131 for current conditions updated twice daily. For Olympic National Forest updates, visit the Forest’s Recreation Conditions Report.
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Plan your next trip to the Olympic Peninsula
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Rental bikes lined up in Seabrook on a sunny September day |
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As the seasons change and you can’t wait to hit the road, wanting to see some place new or returning to a favorite spot, we invite you to come and explore everything the peninsula offers. Hike our trails, rent a bike, wander along our spectacular beaches, take in a festival and discover sensational Olympic National Park in September. 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 soon!
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