Lodging in Olympic National Park comes with a decidedly rustic flair, but wherever you end the day you'll find a comfortable room and a good -- sometimes great -- meal.

There are four lodgings inside the park's boundaries: Kalaloch Lodge, on the Pacific Coast in the park's southwestern corner; Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, on the north end; Lake Crescent Lodge, which is a bit further east of Sol Duc; and finally, the Log Cabin Resort. Except for the Kalaloch Lodge, concessionaire ARAMARK operates the other lodging within the park.

Here's what David and Kay Scott, the Traveler's lodging experts who toured the properties during the summer of 2011, had to say about each location (Pricing has been updated to reflect 2024 rates):

Kalaloch Lodge (open year-round)

Kalaloch Lodge, Olympic National Park / Rebecca Latson

Kalaloch’s focal point is the Pacific Ocean.  The lodge dining room and many of the cabins offer excellent views of the ocean.  Ten rooms, including two suites are in the main building.  Another 10 rooms, including four suites, are in a motel-type building that sits back from the bluff overlooking the ocean. 

Sunrise over Kalaloch cabins and the landscape, Olympic National Park / Rebecca Latson

Kalaloch Lodge cabin interior, Olympic National Park / Rebecca Latson

Most guest rooms are in cabins, some directly on the bluff, and others a short distance behind those on the bluff.  Rooms run from $366 in the main lodge to $439 for a Seacrest House motel-type room.  Suites cost more. Cabins range from $304 to $513 depending on size, location, and season. Note: due to accelerating coastal erosion, 10 of the cabins are permanently closed. Thirty-four cabins — 31 structures including three duplexes — will remain available for rental.

Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort (open March 22 – November 3 for 2024)

Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort consists of 32 modern cabins scattered about a meadow in front of the main lodge that itself has no guest rooms.  Each cabin has a covered porch, and picnic tables and swings are scattered about the property.

Sol Duc Resort cabins, Olympic National Park / Rebecca Latson

Sol Duc Resort cabin interior, 2-queen, no kitchenette, Olympic National Park / Rebecca Latson

Some cabins have kitchens while others do not.  Some front on a river.  Cabins with two queen beds and no kitchen are $281 per night. Cabins with a kitchen and two queen beds are $334 per night. There’s also the 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 3-livingroom Riverside Suite for over $500 per night that sleeps 10. The suite is located on the second floor (stairs only) of a separate building along the Sol Duc River, just a short walk from the main lodge.

The draw at Sol Duc for most guests is the mineral springs that feed three pools behind the lodge.  The pools are each at different temperatures allowing guests to gradually adjust to the warmest water.  A large swimming pool has fresh heated water. Lodge guests have free access to the mineral pools.  

The Sol Duc area offers hiking trails including a three-mile trail to beautiful Sol Duc Falls.  A restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Click here for more information and the menus.

Lake Crescent Lodge (open January 25 – April 1, 2024 weekends; April 26, 2024 – January 1, 2025 daily)

Looking toward the Crescent Lake Lodge from the dock, Olympic National Park / Rebecca Latson

Lake Crescent offers a series of cabins and motel units, plus five rooms without a private bathroom on the second floor of the main lodge.  The latter, from $191.50 to $209.50 per night, are the least expensive rooms here. 

Lake Crescent Lodge Singer Tavern Cottages, Olympic National Park / Rebecca Latson

The majority of Singer Tavern Cottages sit along a row facing the lake on one side of the main lodge.  These rent for about $397 per night. 

Four more expensive Roosevelt Fireplace cabins on the opposite side of the lodge are pretty much on the lake’s shoreline.  These are very popular and quite difficult to reserve, ranging from 455.50 to 463.50 per night.

Motel units are arranged in three pods on the far side of the cabins.  Of these, the one-story Marymere rooms with large picture windows and the best lake views are our favorites.  The other two motel complexes are each two-story and a little further from the lake. These rooms range from $285.50 to $288 per night.

Lake Crescent Lodge is very popular and it’s wise to book your room months in advance of your stay.

The Lakefront Dining Room, open April 26 – October 31, 2024, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are not required for breakfast or lunch, but are recommended for dinner by calling the lodge directly at (360) 928-3211. Dinner reservations may be made up to a month in advance. Note: current seating capacity in the dining room cannot accommodate groups larger than 8 people, nor is the dining room able to hold special events during the 2024 season.

The Singer Tavern Lounge is open April 26, 2024 – January 1, 2025. Take-out food orders may be placed at the lounge during the same hours as the dining room.

Click here for more information about dining and the menus.

Log Cabin Resort (open May 16 – September 30, 2024)

Log Cabin Resort cabins, Olympic National Park / ARAMARK file

Located on the eastern shore of Lake Crescent, Log Cabin Resort enjoys what may be the best location of any of the lodges other than Kalaloch, which sits overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  The resort offers rustic cabins, motel-style rooms, A-frame chalets, and camper cabins. .

Prices range from $112 for a camper cabin to $258 for an A-frame chalet, to $378 for a cabin with kitchenette.  All the units enjoy excellent views of Lake Crescent and the surrounding mountains. 

The resort advertises itself as being on the “sunny side of the lake” which apparently means it enjoys more sunshine than Lake Crescent Lodge that sits on the opposite shore. 

We can’t vouch for the claim, but assume it may be true since mountains produce strange effects on the weather. 

Our take on Log Cabin Resort is that it is popular with families, in part because the shoreline is more conducive to swimming in the lake.  The Sunyside Café serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Click here for more information and the menus. 

Lake Quinault Lodge (open year-round)

Lake Quinault Lodge all lit up at dusk / ARAMARK file

Though it's practically on the park's border, Lake Quinault Lodge is outside the park. But it definitely should be in the mix when considering a visit to Olympic.

The lodge certainly enjoys the ambiance of a park lodge. It consists of six buildings, including a two-story main lodge that was constructed in 1926 on beautiful Lake Quinault. 

In 1972 two buildings with larger rooms were added to the west end of the lodge.  These rooms, called Fireplace Units, are the largest and most expensive rooms at the lodge, renting for $415 per night during high season. Nearly 20 years later, a contemporary three-story building was added on the opposite side of the lodge. These Lakeside Units are quite nice and many rooms offer good views of Lake Quinault. These rent for about $372 per night during high season. 

Main lodge rooms rent for $311 - $368 per night. The lodge also includes a “Boathouse” with nine rooms of varying size ranging from $344 - $416 per night.  

We have found that, unlike many concessionaires, ARAMARK wheels and deals on room rates depending on the season, vacancies, and even the time of day.  During the off-season you might be able to get a Lakeside room for lower than the advertised rate.  They also offer specials, such as buy one night, get a free night, or food and activity credits with a room purchase.

The focal point of the lodge is the large lobby where guests gather to read, play cards, and chat with other guests.  There always seem to be people in the lobby, even at 5:30 a.m..  The large brick wood-burning fireplace that always appears to be burning is a major attraction here. 

The adjacent dining room has large windows that offer excellent views of the lake.  During evenings guests often gather around a bonfire beside the lake.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the lodge’s Roosevelt Dining Room, along with views of the lake from the large picture windows. Reservations are not required, but are highly recommended for dinner and parties of 5 or more guests by calling (360) 288-2900.

Click here for more information about dining at the lodge and the menus.

Note: Lake Quinault Lodge is a cash-free lodge. The lodge (including the dining room) does not accept cash for any services or lodging deposits, but all major credit cards are accepted.