Olympia was officially incorporated in 1859, but it was designated as the capital of Washington Territory in 1853. When Washington became a state in 1889, Olympia remained its capital. The town was named Olympia due to its stellar views of the Olympic Mountains that are northwest of the city. Over time, Olympia’s population grew thanks to the Oregon Trail, the Klondike Gold Rush, and the logging and shipping industries. Today, Olympia is home to more than 55,000 Olympians who enjoy living in this important Washington city that’s within an hour of Seattle.
Since Olympia is Washington’s capital, no visit is complete without exploring the Washington State Capitol building and campus. The impressive building itself features one of the world’s largest free-standing masonry domes. Guided tours of the Legislative Building and the Governor's Mansion are available, but you can also tour the extensive grounds on your own.
Many of the city’s other top attractions reside in the Olympia Downtown Historic District. The Old Capitol Building was completed in 1892 and served as Washington’s capitol until the current one was constructed in 1928. The Capitol Theater was built in 1924 and is currently run by the Olympia Film Society. Many different foods, crafts, arts, and more are available at the Olympia Farmers Market, which features more than 100 local vendors. Another great place to visit in the downtown area is the Hands On Children’s Museum, which is an award-winning children’s museum that features hands-on exhibits about a variety of topics.
One beautiful RV campground in Olympia is WA Land Yacht Harbor RV Park & Event Center, which is close to the Billy Frank Jr. National Wildlife Refuge. This campground contains more than 100 RV sites; full hookups and back-in sites are available. Access to RV storage, a full kitchen, and a sizable event hall are all available at this campground.Â
Roughly 10 minutes southeast of WA Land Yacht Harbor is Lost Lake Recreation Resort, which is just five minutes from Interstate 5. This campground near the Nisqually Indian Community contains an 11-acre lake, a mini-golf course, and heated swimming pools.Â
Another high-quality RV campground in Olympia is Salmon Shores RV Park, which is on Black Lake. Waterfront campsites, a convenience store, a boat launch, and year-round fishing opportunities are all featured at this campground on the southwestern outskirts of Olympia.Â
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park consists of multiple attractions spread across four separate sites. The first site is in Seattle and features a museum dedicated to this large Washington city’s role in the Gold Rush. In order to see the rest of the park, you’ll need to travel to Skagway, Alaska. Skagway’s historic district is home to 100 buildings dating back to the Gold Rush period, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center Museum, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, and the entrance to the Chilkoot Trail. Hopeful stampeders used the Chilkoot Trail to take their supplies to the Yukon River; today, adventurous visitors can hike this trail to get a taste of life as a prospective miner during the Gold Rush.
You won’t have to travel to Alaska to see Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve; you’ll only have to drive two and a half hours northwest of Olympia to Coupeville. This park is a fascinating blend of farmland and coastline; several easy and moderate trails take visitors through these diverse but stunning environments. Beachcombing is also popular here, as is whale-watching in the spring. If you want to explore more of this beautiful area, then you can pay a visit to Fort Ebey State Park, Fort Casey State Park, and Joseph Whidbey State Park.
The Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks are roughly two and a half hours from Olympia near Astoria, Oregon. This national historic park comprises five separate state parks in Washington and Oregon. One of these is Fort Columbia Historical State Park, which features a fort constructed in the late 1890s. Another is Cape Disappointment State Park, which is located at the mouth of the Columbia River on the Pacific Ocean. Across the Columbia River from Cape Disappointment is Fort Stevens State Park, which features old fortifications as well as well-known Adams Point. If you want to spend a day at the beach, you can do so at Sunset Beach State Recreation Site, which includes part of the route Lewis and Clark traveled in 1805-06. Another nice beach to visit that’s part of this park complex is Ecola State Park, which is home to a lovely stretch of shoreline called Indian Beach.Â
If you’re going to spend some time in Olympic National Park, then you should definitely check out Olympic National Forest. The national forest surrounds the national park, so you’ll easily be able to explore the rainforests, peaks, lakes, mountains, and more in this area. If you want to take a strenuous hike in Olympic National Forest, then you should check out the Colonel Bob Trail, which takes you deep into the Colonel Bob Wilderness. If you’re looking for a more moderate trek, then you may be interested in the Murhut Falls Trail, which will take you a mile and a half through the woods to Murhut Falls. The Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail is an easy nature trail that will take you along Willaby Creek for half a mile. Other fun activities to do in Olympia National Forest include fishing, stargazing, bird-watching, and geocaching.Â
The entrance to Gifford Pinchot National Forest is just half an hour east of Mount Rainier National Park. This lovely forest is 1.32 million acres large and contains forests, glaciers, lakes, and campgrounds. The southwestern portion of this national forest features the famous Mount Saint Helens, which erupted in dramatic fashion in 1980. Mount Adams is less well-known than Mount Saint Helens, but it’s still a beautiful area that includes the Mount Adams Wilderness, the Lewis River Recreation Area, and more. Another gorgeous part of this national forest is the Cowlitz Valley, which features the Cowlitz River, the Goat Rocks Wilderness, the Glacier View Wilderness, and other wild areas between several mountains.Â
Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest is two and a half hours northeast of Olympia and an hour and 45 minutes northeast of Seattle. Once you reach this stunning stretch of the Cascades Mountains, you’ll quickly come to understand why this is America’s most-visited national forest. One big draw to this park is its extensive trail network, which is at least 1,500 miles long. Whether you want to take an easy, mile-long stroll through a stand of 500-year-old trees or hit the Canyon Ridge Trail with your motorbike, you’ll have plenty of ways to explore this forest’s 10 wilderness areas.
The entrance to Olympic National Park is only an hour and 10 minutes northwest of Olympia, so you’ll probably want to explore this stunning portion of the Olympic Peninsula on your trip via the park’s thousands of miles of trails. The rainforests, shorelines, glaciers, and more within this park’s 922,000 acres will provide you with plenty of awesome places to kayak, hike, swim, bike, and photograph wildlife.Â
Mount Rainier National Park is a little less than an hour and a half southeast of Olympia, so this iconic Washington national park should definitely be on your itinerary. Mount Rainier itself is more than 14,400 feet high, so climbing it is a worthy feat. If you’d prefer to have a less adventurous trip to Mount Rainier, you can still explore the many gorgeous meadows, forests, and glaciers on its lower slopes and base courtesy of hundreds of miles of hiking trails.Â
North Cascades National Park is about three hours northeast of Olympia, but it’s only two hours from Seattle. This remote national park near America’s border with Canada contains numerous peaks, lakes, and glaciers. Adventurers love heading out into the rugged backcountry for fabulous hiking and camping opportunities. Those in search of an easier trek can take advantage of the park’s simple nature trails.
Just 15 minutes south of Olympia is the entrance to Millersylvania State Park. This park is only five minutes from Interstate 5, but its more than 900 acres of woods and shoreline will make you forget all about civilization. Deep Lake is an excellent place to fish, swim, and boat, while the park’s 16 miles of trails are perfect for biking and hiking. Maybe you’ll be able to spot coyotes, eagles, deer, hawks, and more on your visit to this park in the southern part of Olympia.Â
You can get to Jarrell Cove State Park by traveling 50 minutes north of Olympia. This small but lovely park on Harstine Island is close to Harstine Island State Park and McMicken Island Marine State Park. Although this park is only 35 acres large, it has plenty of awesome venues for biking, hiking, diving, camping, and more.Â
Penrose Point State Park is directly across from Jarrell Cove, but you’ll have to drive 50 minutes to get from one to the other. This pretty park on Carr’s Inlet is near Haley State Park and Joemma Beach State Park. If your camper is smaller than 35 feet, you’ll be able to park it under the trees here for a minimal fee. Even if you don’t want to camp at this Puget Sound state park, you’ll be able to spend plenty of time hiking, boating, fishing, and crabbing. The park also contains a dump station, so you’ll be able to clean out your tanks here for an affordable price.Â
When renting an RV in Olympia, Washington, you can expect to pay around $200 a night for motorhomes and about $150 a night for travel trailers.
What does RVshare Protection cover with my Olympia, WA RV rental?RVshare's protection plan standard package covers up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision coverage based on the value of the RV. It also includes free 24/7 roadside assistance, towing and tire service. For more information on RVshare insurance, click here.
What do I need to know before renting an RV in Olympia, WA?Olympia has plenty of freeway access to make RV driving a breeze. But just outside the city are ample parks, bodies of water and beaches to visit. Be sure to include time in your plans to explore the state capitol building, the Hands On Children's Museum, and Percival Landing Park.
What are the RV rental requirements in Olympia, WA?There is no special license needed to rent an RV, but it never hurts to check state websites if you are unsure about traveling there. and any regulations they may have.
What are some tips for first-time RV renters in Olympia, WA?Renting an RV in Olympia, Washington means endless trees and greenery, and plenty of water views. Make sure you have a full tank of gas and plenty of food before you hit the road. You'll find plenty of RV campgrounds with pools and other fun amenities, along with showers and laundry. Busy season is in the summer so book early to get your spot, or off-season to avoid crowds.
What are the minimum age requirements for renting an RV in Olympia, WA?The minimum age requirement for renting an RV is 25.
What is included in my Olympia, WA RV rental?You should find any amenities that are included with your rental in the listing details. But it never hurts to check in with the owner before you arrive at the RV or have it delivered to ensure you have everything that is needed to have a fun and enjoyable trip!
Are there pet friendly RVs for rent in Olympia, WA?Looking for a pet friendly RV rental? Use the pet-friendly filter when searching on RVshare.com to find the perfect one for you!
Can I have my Olympia, WA RV rental delivered to a specified location?Many owners on RVshare.com offer delivery, and will even set it up for you at the campsite. Choose the 'Delivery' filter to narrow down your search results to RVs that can be brought to your home or destination. Check the listing details for any information regarding extra fees for delivery, or ask the owner if you are unsure.
Are there one way rental options from Olympia, WA?One way rentals can add flexibility to your trip, but there are typically costs associated with returning the RV back to the owner. Learn more about one way rental options at rvshare.com/one-way-rv-rentals.
