For many years, the area that would later become Port Angeles was inhabited by multiple groups of indigenous peoples. In 1791, Spanish explorer Francisco de Eliza claimed the area for Spain, calling it Puerto de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles. Eventually, the name was shortened to Port Angeles. The first European settlers would arrive in Port Angeles during the 19th century, and the area would eventually develop into a small village built on whaling, fishing, and shipping. The town was officially incorporated on June 11th, 1890, and it became the county seat of Clallam County later that same year.
Port Angeles today is inhabited by around 20,000 people and is known as the main epicenter for the vast Olympic Peninsula. Located only a short distance north of the breathtaking Olympic National Park, the area is surrounded by natural beauty and serves as a popular hub for outdoor recreation. One fantastic option is to head over to the majestic Marymere Falls, where you can enjoy a scenic hike and gaze at the impressive waterfall. You could also go camping or have a picnic at the Salt Creek Recreation Area, go swimming at the Ediz Hook Reserve, or spend the day hiking, biking, or horseback riding along the Olympic Discovery Trail.
Many visitors take the time to visit the Arthur D. Feiro Marine Life Center, which is home to a variety of awesome aquatic animals. Another cool attraction is the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, featuring impressive architecture and lots of wonderful artwork. Other spots worth visiting around the city include the Olympic Coast Discovery Center and the Elwha Klallam Heritage Center. Port Angeles is home to some top-notch wineries and restaurants as well. While you're in town, you can grab some tasty food at Sabai Thai, the Chestnut Cottage Restaurant, or the Next Door Gastropub. Then, if you're in the mood for some excellent wine, head over to the Olympic Cellars Winery or the Harbinger Winery.
Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival - Anyone who enjoys delicious seafood should come on out to the Port Angeles City Pier in early October for this annual event. The festival is a great way to soak up the area's culture and history while enjoying some wonderful food.
Port Angeles Annual Parade - One great way to celebrate the 4th of July is to attend the Port Angeles Annual Parade. The lively event features some great floats and a festive atmosphere.
Sequim Lavender Festival - The annual Sequim Lavender Festival is the largest lavender festival in the United States. The festival takes place at Carrie Blake Park in mid-July and offers an art show, a street fair, live music, food vendors, and much more!
Olympic National Park is a vast outdoor haven covering a huge portion of Washington's Olympic Peninsula. The park contains majestic mountains complete with hot springs, lush temperate rainforests, and a stretch of breathtaking coastline. Additionally, the area boasts hundreds of fascinating archaeological sites, which date back over 12,000 years. The park is a hiker's paradise, featuring thousands of miles of scenic trails. There are also top-notch opportunities for biking, kayaking, swimming, wildlife viewing, and more.
Located near the Washington-Canada border, North Cascades National Park is most known for its stunning beauty. The picturesque area is home to the towering Cascade Mountains as well as crystal-clear lakes, colorful wildflowers, and incredible glaciers. In total, the park is home to 312 glaciers, accounting for roughly one-third of the glaciers in the continental United States. Popular activities in the park include hiking, fishing, camping, kayaking, bird watching, and wildlife viewing.
Mount Rainier National Park is one of the most famous places in Washington, most known as the home of the majestic Mount Rainier itself. The iconic peak, which is actually an active volcano, stands an amazing 14,410 feet tall. In the mountain's shadow, you'll find old-growth forests and serene meadows to explore. During the spring and summer, the park is one of the state's most popular hiking destinations. During the winter, however, many visitors head to the Crystal Mountain ski resort to have some fun hitting the slopes.
Sequim Bay State Park is located only a short distance from Port Angeles and is home to the scenic Olympic Discovery Trail. Visitors can hike the popular trail, take part in guided wildlife tours, or go kayaking, canoeing, or boating in the nearby bay.
Fort Ebey State Park is known mainly as a historical site, featuring a fortress that dates back to the 1940s. The park also features a lovely beach, where visitors can enjoy a swim or do some sunbathing. The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail passes through the area, making the park a popular destination for avid hikers.
Another awesome historical site is Fort Flagler State Park, which is a former U.S. Army coastal artillery fort. Popular activities for visitors include hiking, biking, picnicking, boating, and taking part in guided tours of the historical buildings.
Washington is home to a spectacular selection of monuments and landmarks, and if you intend to visit a few of them, Seattle's iconic Space Needle is an excellent starting point. The world-famous spire is both an observation tower and a restaurant, and if you take the trip to the top, you'll enjoy incredible views of the Seattle skyline, the Puget Sound, and several stunning mountain ranges.
While you're in Seattle, consider also checking out the Arthur Foss Tugboat. Most likely the oldest wooden tugboat that's still floating, the boat was built in 1889 and has a storied history. The boat is docked at the Historic Ships Wharf at Seattle’s Lake Union Park, and guided tours are available to explore it.
If you travel to the small town of Snoqualmie, Washington, you can visit the amazing Snoqualmie Falls. The powerful 268-foot waterfall is surrounded by multiple observation decks and scenic hiking trails that visitors can explore.
The Port Angeles area is home to many quality campgrounds, and one excellent example is Skokomish Park At Lake Cushman. The campground boasts 30 RV campsites available for $42 to $54 per night, and full hookups are provided. The park offers many amenities and nearby opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking.
Another great place to stay is the Gilgal Oasis RV Park, which features 28 full-hookup RV campsites for $35 per night. Each campsite is equipped with level pads and a firepit, and guests will have access to a game room, a kitchen, various amenities, and a friendly staff.
You could also rent one of the 42 RV campsites at the Point Hudson Marina & RV Park, which are available for $30-$56 per night. The campground boasts a cocktail bar, an on-site restaurant, various amenities, and plenty of local stores.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Port Angeles, WA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Port Angeles?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Port Angeles from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Port Angeles?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.