It’s time to surround yourself with waterfalls, wildlife, and sprawling sea. You don’t need a mountain bike or 4-wheel drive to immerse yourself in the natural beauty around Port Angeles either. Discover gentle paths and ADA-accessible activities to admire mountain meadows, beachy escapes, and enchanted forests in and around Olympic National Park. Read on to find top accessible attractions in Port Angeles.
Outdoor and Indoor Art in Port Angeles
Go for an art-filled stroll through downtown Port Angeles. The Port Angeles Mural Trail celebrates the town’s history, beauty and indigenous culture. Gaze over vibrant hand-painted murals along storefronts and mini gardens. Look for not-so-obvious sculptures tucked into the corners of downtown. Much of the art can be seen within a six-block radius.
Continue the hunt for art at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. Wander to Webster’s Woods Sculpture Park, five acres of regional artwork sprinkled throughout lush woods. Meander indoors to the center’s permanent collection with over 100 works to admire as well as temporary exhibits. Admission is free.
Shop, Eat and Drink in Downtown Port Angeles
Eat, drink, shop, and enjoy beautiful views of Port Angeles, mountains and sea, all in one place. The Port Angeles Wharf offers 46,000 square feet of explorable space. Snag a scoop of ice cream and escape to the arcade. Admire local artists’ work throughout multiple galleries and then sink into a cozy restaurant booth with sweeping waterfront views. Check out the Wharf’s calendar for live music and gallery events.
For a dreamy sunset backdrop with maritime moments, head to the Port Angeles Pier. Watch the ferry to Victoria, British Columbia come and go, gliding through the calm waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Sink your toes in the sand with the pier’s easy beach access at Hollywood Beach. Toss a fishing line or crab pot off the Pier’s edge for easy ocean fishing. Nibble on farm fresh bites and baked goods at the Saturday Farmers Market, open year-round.
See the Salish Sea’s Marine Life
Get a glimpse below the sea’s surface at the Feiro Marine Life Center. Connect with sea stars, hermit crabs and sea cucumbers in the touch tanks. View regional marine life like fish and octopus and learn about the Salish Sea’s precious ecosystem.
Accessible Trails with Stunning Views Near Port Angeles
Top accessible attractions in Port Angeles and beyond include beautiful trails. Make sure these four trails are at the top of your activity list:
Olympic Discovery Trail
The Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) offers 130 miles of varied trails to immerse yourself in the beautiful sights and sounds of the Olympic Peninsula. Much of the ODT is ADA compliant. Roll, stroll or pedal down a 3-mile long sand spit that extends over the sapphire sea. Ediz Hook is a quick jaunt from downtown, leading you down a gentle path flanked with harbored boats, beaches and generous views of the Olympic Mountains soaring above Port Angeles.
Take in the Elwha River along a 14-foot-wide pedestrian bridge. This double-decker bridge separates car traffic giving non-motorized users a safe route to admire the river below. The bridge connects eastern and western portions of the ODT, so continue in either direction for jaw-dropping views of the Elwha River Valley.
Spruce Railroad Trail
Explore the edge of Lake Crescent along a historic railroad route, now paved. The Spruce Railroad Trail is a stunning waterfront stroll with a gentle elevation change of 250 feet over its 4 miles. Built over 100 years ago to transport timber, the path includes views of snow-capped peaks, train tunnels, and Devil’s Punchbowl which overlooks a sapphire pool of perfectly still glacial-fed water. Rest and recharge with a lakeside lunch along the East Beach day use area.
Madison Falls Trail
Glide through a mini-enchanted forest to a cascading waterfall. Madison Falls Trail is a short paved path that meanders under a thick rainforest-like canopy to reveal the 50-foot drop of Madison Falls. On your return, snap a few photos in the parking lot, which is nestled in the panoramic Elwha River Valley.
Hurricane Hill Trail
Snowy peaks, mountain goats, and golden wildflowers await you at Hurricane Ridge. Wind and snow have been carving out this 5,242-feet-above-sea-level alpine paradise for quite some time. Start at the Visitor Center to select the trail that best meets your needs. For unforgettable views, explore the paved 1.5-mile Hurricane Hill Trail. Surround yourself with Olympic Mountain range vistas and spectacular views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The view from the main lodge often includes deer grazing set against a full view of all the Olympic Mountain peaks.
Accessible Rides and Parks
Head over to Erickson Playfield for the U.S.’s first adaptive pump track. No pedaling needed, these tracks provide riders momentum with a rolling course of looping paths. Cruise the ups and downs of the adaptive track which is accessible to manual and electric wheelchairs. After a fun afternoon, gather around the park’s BBQ pit for a memorable picnic. The Dream Playground, located at the 4.2-acre Erickson Playfield, is also ADA-accessible. In fact, the City of Port Angeles was honored with the 2023 Spotlight Award from the Washington Recreation & Park Association for these exceptional park facilities.
Gather your pals for an adaptive ride like no other. Ian’s Ride is a Pacific Northwest non-profit that brings multi-model riders together for stunning annual rides along the Olympic Peninsula. Explore the Olympic Discovery Trail along a 74-mile cruise through forest and along the sea. Sea to Sound runs in late August over three days. For a one-day ride with just as much landscape, check out Ride the Ridge every September where you’ll be able to explore Hurricane Ridge’s accessible trails and stunning mountain views.
For things to do outside of top accessible attractions in Port Angeles, check out the Olympic Peninsula events calendar.
By Guest Blogger Lynnette Braillard / Visit Port Angeles
Cover photo by Lynnette Braillard / Visit Port Angeles
