Take a magical, misty tour this month and head out on the Olympic Peninsula’s Waterfall Trail. After heavy snowfall in February and early March, our falls are showing off with thundering, dazzling veils of gushing water cascading over rocks blanketed with moss or down sheer cliffs into pristine pools below. There are 22 of them! Stand in wonder at their beauty.

For many, it’s spring break this month and we’re highlighting all the family-friendly fun to be had in the North Beach area of Grays Harbor County. It’s a perfect place to start a trip around the Olympic Peninsula. Wander north up the coast then head east along the Strait of Juan de Fuca and back south along the Hood Canal. Stop at one of our state parks, or in our communities and charming towns to experience some of the events and activities they’re offering in April.
We can’t wait to welcome you to our corner of heaven this spring!
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Olympic Peninsula Insights – Family Fun at the Beach in Grays Harbor County
- Washington Coast Cleanup – April 22
- Upcoming Spring Events
- Washington State Parks
- Olympic National Park
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OLYMPIC PENINSULA INSIGHTS |
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Family Fun at the Beach in Grays Harbor County |
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Kids and the beach go together like ice cream and cookies. If you’re looking for a fun getaway during spring break, or any time you feel the ocean calling, head to the North Beach area of Grays Harbor County for cool things to do. Have a mermaid “wannabe?” Don’t miss the annual Mermaid Festival in Westport and tour their fascinating museum. Or grab some shovels, get a license and try your hand at digging for razor clams. Whatever your family’s interests, the North Beach Area of Grays Harbor County delivers. READ MORE
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2023 WASHINGTON COAST CLEANUP |
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Want to show your love for Washington beaches? Join Earth Day volunteers from all around the Pacific Northwest who will be cleaning beaches as part of the Washington Coast Cleanup (WCC) on Saturday, April 22 (Earth Day). Please note some beaches will be closed, but a complete list of beaches will be available when registration opens. LEARN MORE
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Play BirdFest – BirdQuest
Sequim
April 1 – 30
April is all about the birds in Sequim! In conjunction with the Annual Olympic BirdFest, hosted by the Dungeness River Nature Center, local high school students create one-of-a-kind bird sculptures that are placed in shopping establishments for you to find. Locate 15 or more of the 20 sculptures, fill out your card, and turn it in by noon on April 30 to be eligible for the Grand Prize Drawing. LEARN MORE
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Olympic Peninsula Guides Association (OPGA) Community River Float
Forks
April 1
Although the guides typically spend their days catching fish, the OPGA wants to share the amazing scenic experience created by the stunning rivers as they flow out of the heart of Olympic National Park. Come and experience the area rivers from the viewpoint of a boat or raft! LEARN MORE
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Mermaid Festival
Westport
April 1 – 9
The International Mermaid Museum is holding its 2023 Mermaid Festival in early April. In addition to the museum’s enchanting educational exhibits, the festival boasts a series of special attractions for visitors of all ages during this celebration of the sea. Enjoy seeing mermaids and bigfoot around the museum, gardens, and the event tent. LEARN MORE
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Olympic Adventure Trail (OAT) Run
Port Angeles
April 15
Foot running season in Port Angeles kicks off this spring with several iconic running events. Lace up your sneakers and register for the OAT Run—a point-to-point 12K, 50K and half marathon trail run that traverses along Port Angeles' famed Olympic Adventure Trail through the lush, forested Elwha River Valley to the stunning Strait of Juan de Fuca. LEARN MORE
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Run the Peninsula Race Series
Railroad Bridge
Sequim
April 22
The 2023 Run the Peninsula Race Series takes place on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula and is made up of five different races which can be run in person on race day or virtually. The Railroad Bridge Run offers a 5K and 10K out and back on the Olympic Discovery Trail. LEARN MORE
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Port Townsend Victorian Heritage Festival
Port Townsend
April 28 – 30
Celebrating Port Townsend’s history and lifestyle of the city’s early life, the festival offers an opportunity to stroll back in time, learn how the early residents lived, worked and played, hear stories of high stakes business ventures, colorful characters, lost loves and how it all came crashing down. LEARN MORE
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Save the date!
Sequim's 128th Irrigation Festival
May 6 – 14
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Sequim: Saturdays, starting in May
Shelton: Saturdays, starting in May
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Here on the Olympic Peninsula, we are lucky to have 13 state parks. From alpine wilderness to pristine beaches and old-growth forests, there’s no end to the adventures you can enjoy. These parks offer opportunities for hiking, swimming, kayaking, fishing, camping, boating, picnicking and places to relax with friends and family. And now is the perfect time to book your camping trip before spots fill up for the summer and fall. LEARN MORE
Mark your calendars for upcoming free days in 2023 at Washington State Parks: Saturday, April 22 (Earth Day), Saturday, June 10 (National Get Outdoors Day), Sunday, June 11 (free fishing day), Saturday, June 19 (Juneteenth), Saturday, September 23 (National Public Lands Day), Tuesday, October 10 (Mental Health Day), Saturday, November 11 (Veterans Day) and Saturday, November 25 (Autumn Day).
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Olympic National Park begins approximately $11 million rehabilitation of the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge |
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In spring 2023, Olympic National Park will begin rehabilitation of the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge, an approximately $11 million project funded through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). In preparation for this project, the Hurricane Ridge area of the national park will be temporarily closed to the public from March 27 through May 25, 2023. Public access to Hurricane Ridge will resume on Memorial Day Weekend. Visitors to Hurricane Ridge will notice some changes to operations during construction.
Over the next year, the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge will undergo an extensive rehabilitation to improve the building’s interior and exterior, bring the lodge into compliance with current codes and accessibility standards, and ensure proper weatherproofing. Learn more about this project here.
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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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Join us in celebrating National Park Week 2023 from April 22 to 30! Parks across the country will host a variety of special programs, events, and digital experiences. There are also special theme days during the week to highlight the different ways everyone can enjoy national parks. April 22, the first day of National Park Week, is also a fee free day!
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Plan your next trip to the Olympic Peninsula this spring
and for year-round activities by requesting your
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Spring inspires us to want to travel, to get away and play. Come and discover a new place or visit an old favorite. Explore our trails and beaches. Try your hand at harvesting oysters. Play in our spectacular parks, not to mention the show-stopper of them all—Olympic National Park. It’s a magical place to spark your senses and explore the natural beauty and magnificence of the area.
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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