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Kalaloch Lodge (pronounced CLAY-lock) is set along the northern coastline of the Olympic Peninsula. These beaches have a quiet and rugged beauty that must be experienced to be understood. You won't find high-rise condos or souvenir shops. You will find unusual sights such as thousands of beached logs and on clear nights you'll experience spectacular sunsets. In a place where chain hotels are absent, the Kalaloch Lodge on Olympic National Park property allows a budget traveler to savor the uncommon beauty at an affordable price.
Remote Location on Washington's Pacific Coast
Kalaloch is nearly a four-hour drive west of Seattle, and its nearest power source is 75 miles away. High winds well removed from the site can knock out power here rather quickly. Kalaloch is also located within one of the wettest areas of the U.S., receiving an average of 166 in. of rainfall each year.
Keep all of this in mind when you book a room at Kalaloch Lodge. It's not easy to get to and there are potential challenges once you arrive. But the rewards are handsome.
Hiking opportunities abound along deserted, rocky beaches and within temperate rain forests. Others come simply to watch the technicolor sunsets over the Pacific, or to experience the fury of winter storms coming in from the sea.
Be sure you have plenty of gasoline (it's expensive here), a lantern or flashlight (especially in winter) and other provisions. But no one has to rough it to enjoy Kalaloch, because the lodge features a small but hearty restaurant and an accommodating staff that hails from faraway places like Florida.
There are lodge rooms and cabins. Cabins accommodate 2-7 guests and are steps from spectacular ocean views. Lodge rooms will serve 2-4 guests and are closer to the restaurant, gift shop and store.
Rates are a bit higher than budget travelers like to pay for a night's sleep. Lodge rooms and cabins range from about $160-$200 USD/night, and can be higher in prime season. But simple economics dictate higher prices in this remote locale.
Be certain to book well in advance during the summer months. Rates climb during this time and rooms become scarce.
Setting More Than Comforts
Rooms here are clean and well appointed, but you won't find cutting-edge style. It's a lodge! Throughout the national park system, you will find similar properties that offer comfort in rustic surroundings.
Meals in the restaurant would be considered slightly overpriced in a less remote location, but remember that it costs more money here to stock quality food products and to staff the facility. Breakfast is served from 8-11:30 a.m.; lunch from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Dinner with gratuity will cost roughly $15 USD/person. If that's too rich for your blood, the nearest restaurants are about 35 miles away in the town of Forks. In cabin rooms, there are kitchen facilities. Groceries can be bought in Forks, or the on-site mercantile store.
Kalaloch is within the boundaries of Olympic National Park. Individuals on foot are admitted to the park for $5 USD; each vehicle pass is $15 (good for seven consecutive days). Watch for free days (offered several times a year) when admission is waived.
Kalaloch Lodge is operated by Aramark Corporation, which has a contract to provide food and lodging at a number of U.S. national parks. Kalaloch has some lodging cousins in the vicinity: Lake Quinault Lodge and Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort are close enough that you could visit all three. In fact, Aramark recently offered one night at each lodge in late Spring with a free breakfast for $359 USD. That average of $120/night is a significant savings. It pays to search for such deals when you plan your visit.
Sunsets, Driftwood Beaches and Rain Forests
The added time and money you spend to stay at Kalaloch is an investment in truly unique travel opportunities. This coastline is probably unlike any you've ever experienced.
Nearby Ruby Beach is a favorite stop in Olympic National Park. You'll see huge rock pillars (called sea stacks) and thousands of huge (think 60 foot) logs strewn across the wide beach.
The logs start the journey here in the nearby forests as they are undercut by erosion, then washed temporarily out to sea. When storms bring them back to shore, extreme caution is required of beachcombers. Each year, people are seriously injured or killed by the incoming logs.
Nearby Beach 4 is a place to explore tidal pools. Park Rangers lead nature talks that explain the sea life revealed in these fascinating places. Check locally after arrival for times, which tend to follow the tidal schedule.
Olympic National Park is home to two major temperate rain forests: Hoh and Quinault. The Quinault entrance is 31 miles southeast of Kalaloch along U.S. 101. Either place is worth exploring, and is free with the price of your admission to the park.
Twilight Fans Unite
The movie "Twilight" and its sequel "New Moon" have attracted a strong following of fans throughout the world. Some even venture to the Olympic Peninsula to visit the various shooting locations. The town of Forks has built a welcome sign complete with platform so that fans can step up and be photographed at the town limits!
In addition to Forks (where you'll find stores catering to visitors in search of souvenirs), the rain forests and coastline shooting locations are largely accessible and within a short drive of Kalaloch Lodge.
The lodge even offers a package at certain times of the year designed to appeal to fans of Bella and Edward. Starting at $149 USD/night for log cabin lodging, a special Twilight dessert at dinner and amenities such as Twilight water bottles, a Forks map highlighting shooting locations and even a trivia quiz is waiting on the dining room table. Again, even if you're not captivated by the movie, the offer represents nice savings over the standard rates.
Please note: As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation for the purpose of reviewing these services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
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