Port Ludlow can be planned at different scales: the Ludlow Falls Interpretive Trail is half a mile long, while the maintained community trail network spans 30 miles. This offers two distinct planning scales: a specifically measured loop and a larger network of trails. When searching for a hotel, you can first decide whether water, golf, trails or culture will be the focus of your stay.

Water and Maritime Planning

Port Ludlow Marina has 300 slips and accommodates vessels up to 200 feet long. For planning a trip with your own vessel, this maximum length provides a specific point of comparison; checking slip conditions before your trip is recommended.

At the upper Hood Canal, Hicks Shine Park has a kayak launch area and a boat ramp. This makes it possible to distinguish between different ways of accessing the water: the marina, with slips for vessels, and the park, with its launch area and ramp. If you plan to launch from the park, check local conditions.

Golf with Views of Water and Mountains

Port Ludlow Golf Course has 18 holes and offers championship golf. From the course, there are views of Hood Canal, Ludlow Bay, the Olympic Mountains and the Cascade Mountains. Golf and scenery are part of the course experience together: in addition to your round, you can also factor the views into your plans. If you plan to play a round, check tee time conditions before your trip.

Trails: A Loop and a Trail Network

Port Ludlow has 30 miles of maintained community trails for hiking and cycling, and maintains a system of interpretive trails. One specifically named route is the Ludlow Falls Interpretive Trail: the loop is half a mile long, passes by a waterfall and has interpretive signs. The two distances help distinguish a single loop from the total length of the trail network. Before setting out, check trail conditions and access locally.

Art and History

At Burner Point stands the 40-foot Heraldic totem pole. Its six Tsimshian figures depict the development of Port Ludlow. The totem pole has two tangible aspects: its height and the history told through its figures.

The Port Ludlow Art League Gallery is an artist cooperative run by its members. The History Museum at Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitor Center displays photos and exhibits on the early history of the Olympic Peninsula. These include artifacts from the timber, fishing and farming industries in rural Jefferson County. The history covered thus ranges from Port Ludlow's development to the region's various lines of work. If you plan to visit the museum, check current hours and access arrangements before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Marrowstone, Chimacum, Port Hadlock-Irondale, Port Townsend

Return to the main travel guide: Jefferson County.