Thanksgiving Cabin Rental in Port Angeles, Near Olympic National Park

2 days ago

3 min read

Every November, families start asking us the same question: can we spend Thanksgiving at the cabin? Yes, and some of our favorite guest stories come from that week. Last year Erica's family drove over from Seattle and cooked their whole holiday dinner at Ridgeline Retreat. "We had everything we needed to cook our Thanksgiving meal, plus some extra helpful touches," she wrote after their stay.

If you're planning Thanksgiving in Port Angeles, here is how we'd plan a Thanksgiving cabin rental stay near Olympic National Park.

Great room with vaulted cedar ceiling and river-rock fireplace at Ridgeline Retreat, a Thanksgiving cabin rental in Port Angeles near Olympic National Park — The great room at Ridgeline Retreat: one big space for cooking, eating and catching up.

Why a Thanksgiving cabin rental beats a hotel

Thanksgiving is about one table and everyone around it. Ridgeline Retreat is a 4-bedroom cabin that sleeps up to 10, on 5.5 private wooded acres just outside Port Angeles. The kitchen, dining and living room share one big open space under a vaulted cedar ceiling, so whoever is cooking is still part of the conversation.

Grandparents get a quiet bedroom. Kids get the game room downstairs. And you're about 10 minutes from Olympic National Park and a short drive from downtown Port Angeles, so the day after is easy too.

Cooking the big meal

The kitchen is fully stocked with cookware, dishes and the basics, so most families only bring the groceries and their favorite recipes. A few tips from us:

Shop on Wednesday. The grocery stores in Port Angeles are a short drive away, but many keep shorter hours on Thanksgiving Day.
Ask us about special dishes. If your family recipe needs something specific, like a large roasting pan, message us before you arrive and we'll tell you what's in the kitchen.
Start with good coffee. We keep quality coffee beans at the house for slow holiday mornings.

A morning walk before the turkey

While the turkey roasts, take everyone out on the private trails that loop through the property. Late fall in the woods is beautiful: moss, ferns and mushrooms everywhere. Erica's boys found "countless varieties of mushrooms, as well as some cute little critters" on their walk. (Look, don't pick. Some wild mushrooms are poisonous.)

Keep an eye on the yard, too. A family of deer visits Ridgeline most mornings and evenings, and the kids never get tired of it.

Ridgeline Retreat cabin and hot tub deck in the evergreen forest outside Port Angeles, WA, near Olympic National Park — Ridgeline sits on 5.5 private acres of forest, with trails right outside the door.

After dinner

Fire pit with Adirondack chairs at Ridgeline Retreat, a family cabin rental in Port Angeles, Washington — The fire pit: dessert round two, with s'mores.

Light the fireplace. The river-rock fireplace in the living room is the coziest spot in the house after a big meal.
Soak in the hot tub. The 7-person hot tub sits under the trees, and on a clear night you can see the stars.
Settle the family rivalries. The game room has a pool table and air hockey.
Make s'mores. Weather permitting, the outdoor fire pit is perfect for dessert round two.

The day after: Olympic National Park and beyond

Skip the Black Friday crowds and head outside. These are the spots our guests recommend most:

Marymere Falls at Lake Crescent. An easy forest walk from the Storm King Ranger Station, about 0.9 miles each way, ending at a tall waterfall. One guest family called it "SO PRETTY," and we agree.
Madison Falls. A short, easy walk to a waterfall in the Elwha valley, great for little legs.
Tongue Point tide pools. At Salt Creek Recreation Area west of town. Check the tide tables and go at low tide.
Hurricane Ridge. In winter the road usually opens Friday through Sunday, 9 am to 4 pm, from late November, weather permitting. Chains are required from November 1, and there is no food at the top, so pack snacks. Call the park's Road & Weather Hotline at (360) 565-3131 before you go.
The Port Angeles waterfront. Walk the waterfront and grab lunch downtown.

Bringing a bigger group?

Our oceanfront home, Cedar & Salt Estate, sleeps 14 and looks out over the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We can pre-stock the groceries before you arrive, so the fridge is full when you walk in. For very large families, both homes together sleep 26. Just book well ahead so we can hold both for you.