It was a rainy, windy afternoon when I stepped into our cabin. I was greeted by a queen bed with comforter and pillows, a comfy looking couch, a wood stove just waiting to be lit, and big windows with expansive views of the ocean. I sighed. It was the perfect refuge for us after a wet drive up the Washington coast from Grays harbor.

Are you looking for a cozy place to stay this winter along the Washington coast? Or, maybe you just want to vanquish those winter blues. For sweeping Pacific Ocean views, lodge rooms or bluff cabins, and a little nature therapy thrown in, try the Kalaloch Lodge.

This historic lodge is located on the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park near the park’s southern coastal border. It’s marvelously remote. The park’s protected coastline spans nearly 75 miles, starting in the south near Kalaloch Lodge on Highway 101 and ending in the northwest corner of the state near Ozette Indian reservation. It’s a magnificent wild coastline with most beaches accessed by trails. Kalaloch Lodge makes a good base for exploration.

I love a winter stay in this lodge. For me it’s all about the contrasts. Windy beach walks and warm cozy rooms. Invigorating days of exploring and relaxing evenings by the fire. Wilderness and comfort. Stormy mornings and sunny afternoons.

Here’s a sample of what a day might look like. Start steps from your door with an energizing morning beach walk, followed by a yummy breakfast at the Creekside restaurant. Then venture north a few miles up the highway to Beaches 3 & 4 and/or Ruby Beach. Sea stacks, giant headlands, and piles of driftwood mark the shores of these beaches. Each is uniquely splendid, providing important habitat for the plants and animals that live along the coast. You can explore teeming tide pools, see remarkable wind-sculpted sandstone formations, and watch shorebirds. Time it right and you’ll end your day with a killer sunset.

If you go

Worried about the weather? Don’t! Just dress for it. Temperatures are often mild and being outside in the winter is so good for the soul not to mention your health. Even if you’re outside just for an hour or two during the day, you can get plenty of healthy nature benefits. And if I haven’t convinced you yet, here are a few more things I love about this winter get-away—sweeping views, cozy spaces, slippers, warm fires, uplifting beach walks, short hikes, good reads, off-season rates, and the splendor of peace.

The lodge has a gift shop, Creekside Restaurant and Bar, and convenience store. Cabins are available with full kitchens, mini kitchens and fireplaces. If you are going to venture outside, (which I highly recommend) bring rain gear and water-proof boots for beach walking.

Visit Kalaloch Lodge at Olympic Nation Park for more information.