Olympic National Park is a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Washington State. The park interior encompasses one of the largest remaining blocks of old-growth forest and temperate rain forest in the lower 48 states, and the park's coastline protects 73 mi (117 km) of rocky headlands, beaches, and tidepools.

Understand

The coastline of Olympic National Park

There are two non-contiguous sections of the park: the large central area encompassing the Olympic Mountains, and the coastal area where the west edge of the Olympic Peninsula meets the Pacific Ocean.

History

Prior to the influx of European settlers, the population consisted of Native Americans, whose use of the peninsula was thought to have consisted mainly of fishing and hunting. However, reviews of the record, coupled with systematic archaeological surveys of the mountains (Olympic and other Northwest ranges) are pointing to much more extensive tribal use of especially the subalpine meadows than seemed to have been the case. Most if not all Pacific Northwest indigenous cultures were adversely affected by European diseases (often decimated) and other factors, well before ethnographers, business operations and settlers arrived in the region, so what they saw and recorded was a much-reduced native culture-base. Large numbers of cultural sites are now identified in the Olympic mountains, and important artifacts have been found.

When settlers began to appear in the mid-1800s, extractive industry in the Pacific Northwest was on the rise, particularly in regards to the harvesting of timber, which intensified in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Public dissent against logging began to take hold in the 1920s, when people got their first glimpses of the clear-cut hillsides. This period saw an explosion of people's interest in the outdoors; with the growing use of the automobile, people took to touring previously remote places like the Olympic Peninsula.

The path towards becoming a national park began with the expeditions of Lieutenant Joseph O'Neil and Judge James Wickersham during the 1890s, who met in the Olympic wilderness while exploring, and subsequently combined their political efforts to place the area within some protected status. Following unsuccessful efforts in the Washington State Legislature in the early 1900s, President Theodore Roosevelt created Mount Olympus National Monument in 1909, primarily to protect the subalpine calving grounds and summer range of the Roosevelt elk herds native to the Olympics. Public desire for preservation of some of the area grew until President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the national park in 1938. It was further designated as an International Biosphere Reserve in 1976, and evolved into a World Heritage Site in 1981.

Landscape

Olympic Mountains

Marmot Pass, Olympic National Park

From the 7,980-foot (2,430 m) summit of Mount Olympus, the Pacific Ocean shimmers in the distance, less than 33 miles (53 km) west. Between the highest peak in the Olympic Mountain range and sea, mountains and valleys radiate like spokes on a wheel. Above treeline, a jumble of rugged glacier-capped peaks are decorated with meadows and lakes. Most of the area's endemic plants and animals are found in these high elevation ecosystems. Below treeline, scattered subalpine forests give way to steep forested slopes ending in broad, U-shaped valleys.

The rock that makes up the Olympics began 49-56 million years ago, as a massive basalt eruption deep under the ocean. This terrane was soon pushed up against the North American continent, and after resisting subduction for a long period, was eventually pushed up above sea level about 18 million years ago. The result is a range highly folded sedimentary and metamorphic rock, in contrast to the nearby Cascades.

Rivers & lakes

Water defines Olympic National Park. In cloud form it delivers abundant rain and snow. As frozen glaciers it sculpts the peaks. In snow-melt rivulets it waters mountain meadows then feeds powerful rivers rushing to the sea. Alpine tarns perch on peaks and several huge lakes lie in the lowlands. These streams, rivers and lakes are a circulatory system—life-blood of the park's diversity.

Rivers radiate out from the central mountains like spokes on a wheel. On the park's west side, valleys are broad and U-shaped and rivers meander over wide floodplains. On other sides, the rivers are often constricted into narrow, steep-walled valleys. With protected headwaters, these are healthy, dynamic watersheds where natural processes like flooding, log jams, and nutrient cycling prevail.

Linking ocean and land ecosystems, rivers and streams provide a highway for fish and other wildlife to move both up and downstream. As fish swim upstream to spawn and later die, they bring with them vital nutrients from the sea, replenishing the forest in ways that science has only recently defined.

Forests

The Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park was established in 1938 in part to preserve some of Washington's quickly disappearing primeval forests.

"to preserve... the finest sample of primeval forests of Sitka spruce, western hemlock, Douglas fir, and western red-cedar in the entire United States...."

Today, the park protects one of the largest remaining blocks of old-growth forest and temperate rain forest in the lower 48 states.

Old-growth forests are forests where there are no clearly visible indications of human disturbance. These forests are ecosystems with unique biodiversity, that takes centuries to restore from logged land. Some areas in the park nurture trees that sprouted when the Mayan culture was thriving in the jungles of Central America. The diverse forests of the park (and neighboring wilderness areas) are rare islands of original habitat surrounded by altered landscapes.

Temperate rain forests form in mid-latitude regions receiving over 55 inches (140 cm) of precipitation. The nearby Pacific Ocean dumps up to 15 ft (4.6 m) of rain per year in the valleys on the west side of the park. Enormous Sitka spruce and Douglas fir tower hundreds of feet high, as thick, furry epiphyte moss and dense, vibrant vegetation create a beautiful, almost "Tolkien-esque" environment.

This diversity forms a dynamic green canvas from tree line to coast. Heavy snow, avalanches, fire, wind storms, landslides and flooding all interact to rearrange the colors or reset the clock. But the resulting forests are a vibrant, ever-changing palette of greens, textures, species and ages.

Coast

Olympic National Park's 73-mile (117 km)-long wilderness coast is a rare treasure in a country where much of the coastline is prime real estate. The rocky headlands, beaches, tidepools nurturing a living rainbow of colors and textures, off shore sea stacks topped by nesting seabirds and wind-sheared trees-all are a remnant of a wilder America.

The intertidal areas, where the Pacific Ocean tides shape life, are also within the boundary of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. The offshore islands with their colonies of nesting seabirds and rocky haulouts for seals and sea lions, lie within the Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Peer into a tidepool and your view may take in hundreds of animals crowded into an area the size of a dinner plate. Cold, nutrient-rich waters upwelling from the Pacific Ocean floor feed a food chain extending from tiny invertebrates to many-ton whales. In the intertidal, that abundance is stacked in layers determined by the tides, competition and the reach of predatory neighbors. Each species tends to thrive in only a certain narrow band of habitat, rarely straying above or below.

Flora and fauna

Kalaloch Redcedar

The isolated Olympic Peninsula harbors a unique community of wildlife, noteworthy not only for endemic animals (found only here), but also for species missing from the Olympics, yet found elsewhere in western mountains. Pika, ptarmigan, ground squirrels, lynx, wolverine, grizzly bears, bighorn and historically, mountain goats did not occur on the Olympic Peninsula. While unique species like the Olympic marmot, Olympic snow mole and Olympic torrent salamander are found here and nowhere else in the world! Unfortunately, like most places in the world, non-native species introduced by humans have also spread to the park. Wildlife listed below have been observed in Olympic National Park:

Marine mammals

• Sea otter, Enhydra lutris
• River otter, Lutra canadensis
• Harbor seal, Phoca vitulina
• Northern Fur Seal, Callorhinus ursinus
• Steller sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus (summer and early fall)
• California sea lion, Zalophus californianus (summer, fall and winter)
• Northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris (rare)
• Gray whale, Eschrichtius robustus (spring and fall)
• Minke whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata (spring and fall)
• Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae (fall)
• Harbor porpoise, Phocoena phocoena (summer)
• Orca or Killer whale, Orcinus orca (summer and fall)
• Dall’s porpoise, Phocoenoides dalli (summer and fall)
• Pacific white sided dolphin, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens (summer and fall)

Climate

Overall, the Olympic Peninsula has a moderate marine climate with pleasant summers and mild, wet winters. The Olympic Mountains, part of North America's western coast range, rise suddenly from near sea level to nearly 8,000 feet (2,400 m), intercepting Pacific moisture which is dumped as large amounts of rain. The climate grows wetter from east to west on the Olympic Peninsula. Sunny days are likeliest in July and August. Nearby Sequim is actually in the rain shadow of the Olympics and is known for sunny days and minimal rain.

Summers tend to be fair and warm, with high temperatures between 65 °F (18 °C) and 75 °F (24 °C). July, August and September are the driest months, with heavier precipitation during the rest of the year.

Winters are mild at lower elevation, with temperatures ranging from 36 °F (2 °C) at night to 48 °F (9 °C) during the day. Snow is rare at low elevations and melts quickly, however snowfall can be heavy in the mountains, with accumulations of up to 10 feet (3.0 m) common.

The park, and many of its attractions, are open year-round. However, the mountainous interior receives substantial snowfall, so higher-elevation locations like Hurricane Ridge will be less accessible between November and May. While summer has the most pleasant weather, moisture is an integral part of the Olympic experience; drizzle makes the lushness of the rain forests pop, and many visitors enjoy sitting on a remote beach to watch the weather roll from the ocean. Regional hikers enjoy the Olympics in the spring, as the trails melt out earlier than in the Cascades, and the eastern slopes are in a rain shadow.

Visitor information

• Park website
• 1 Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, 18113 Upper Hoh Rd, Forks (at the end of Upper Hoh Rd, via US-101 south of Forks). Daily 9AM-5:30PM. Educational exhibits and informational brochures available. (updated Jun 2020)
• 2 Hurricane Ridge Contact Station, Hurricane Ridge Rd (at the end of Hurricane Ridge Rd, via Mount Angeles Rd from Port Angeles). Daily during summer, 10AM-4PM. The historic visitor center burned down in 2023; in its place are several temporary facilities for information and gifts while the replacement gets built. There are portable toilets, but no running water or indoor spaces for visitors. (updated Aug 2026)
• 3 Olympic National Park Visitor Center, 3002 Mount Angeles Rd, Port Angeles. Daily 9AM-5PM, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Main visitor center for Olympic National Park. There's only a small exhibit space, but a busy information desk with park staff is ready to help you plan your visit. Free. (updated Aug 2026)

Ranger stations

• 4 Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station (along North Shore Rd, via US-101), ☏ +1 360 288-0232. Thu-Mon during summer, 9AM-5PM. Educational exhibits and informational brochures available. (updated Jun 2020)

• Olympic National Park/Olympic National Forest Recreation Information Station (in Forks), ☏ +1 360 374-7566.  

• Staircase Ranger Station (Northwest of Hoodsport; from US-101, take WA-119 which becomes unpaved), ☏ +1 360 877-5569. Staircase Ranger Station is open intermittently during the summer and closed during winter. Informational brochures available. (updated Jun 2020)

Get in

Port Angeles is the principal service city for the park. Unless otherwise specified, these directions will get you heading towards Port Angeles.

The park is huge; the directions here may not be the most direct way to other corners of the park, such as Lake Cushman and Lake Quinault.

By car

US-101 runs near the east, north, and west edges of the Olympic Mountains, forming an incomplete ring road. From US-101, a number of roads extend into the park: Hurricane Ridge, Elwha, Sol Doc, Hoh, and Quinault. US-101 also runs near and along the coast, providing access to Kalaloch, La Push, Cape Alava and Neah Bay.

From Olympia and points south on I-5: Take US-101 north along Hood Canal.

From Aberdeen and points south on the coast: Take US-101 north along the coast.

From Tacoma: Take WA-16 and cross the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to the Kitsap Peninsula, then continue west. At WA-3, turn south to access the south parts of the park, or north to access the north parts of the park.

From Seattle and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport:

• Drive the entire way: This is usually the fastest option, as long as you avoid I-5 during rush hour. Head south on I-5 to Tacoma, take Exit 132B for WA-16 and follow the "From Tacoma" directions from there.
• Take a ferry across Puget Sound: This does not usually save much time, but it replaces a few hours of driving with a leisurely ride across the water.
  • From West Seattle: take the ferry to Southworth and continue north.
  • From Seattle: take the ferry to Bainbridge Island or Bremerton and continue north.
  • From north of Seattle: take the Edmonds ferry to Kingston and continue west.

From Anacortes or Whidbey Island: take the Coupeville ferry to Port Townsend and continue west.

The ferries are run by the Washington State Department of Transportation. The ferries usually run roughly every 50 minutes. The line to get on a ferry can be backed up for two or three hours, particularly in the summer when people are heading off or returning from their vacations on the Olympic Peninsula. If you can, avoid heading west on Friday afternoons and east on Sunday evenings.

By ferry

A private ferry company runs a route between Victoria, BC and Port Angeles.

• Coho Ferry (Black Ball Ferry Line). Feb-Dec, 1-4 sailings per day. $23.00/person, $78.00/person+vehicle. (updated Jun 2025)

By plane

The nearest domestic airport for commercial flights is Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA ^IATA) in Seattle.

Another nearby commercial airport is Victoria, BC (YYJ ^IATA). Once there, take a ferry to Port Angeles.

By bus

There's transit options from the major Puget Sound cities to Port Angeles, the hub for infrequent bus routes connecting the towns along the north and west sections of US-101. There's also transit to Port Townsend, the hub for infrequent bus routes running down the east section of US-101. However, many of the park's top attractions are not on the highway and thus have no bus service, so relying on public transit will greatly limit where you can go.

By foot

The Pacific Northwest Trail, an east-west long-distance hiking trail that runs from Glacier National Park in Montana to Cape Alava, enters the park in the northeast, near Marmot Pass.

Fees and permits

Entrances fees are valid for seven days, allowing unlimited re-entry for the week. Fees as of 2026 are:

• $15 per person and bicyclist
• $25 motorcycle
• $30 vehicle (non-commercial)
• $55 Olympic National Park Annual Pass

Park entrance fees may be waived for school group visits when class curriculum relates to park resources.

Driving US-101 does not require an entrance fee, and fees are not checked at a few places where the highway enters the park, such as Kalaloch and Lake Crescent.

The America the Beautiful Pass, also called the Interagency Pass, provides entry to Olympic National Park and all national parks, as well as some national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and national forests. A single pass applies for an entire group traveling together in a private vehicle, or up to four people on foot or bike. There are several pass types:

• The Annual Pass (valid for twelve months from date of issue) can be purchased by anyone. $80 for U.S. citizens and residents, $250 for non-U.S. residents, $20 for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over, and free for current military personnel (must show a Common Access Card (CAC) or Military ID).
• The Lifetime Pass (valid for the life of the holder) is available for $80 to U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over, and free for veterans and Gold Star families (families of servicemembers who were killed in action). Applicants must provide documentation showing they are eligible. This pass also provides a 50% discount on some park amenities.
• The Access Pass (valid for the life of the holder) is available for free to U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentation of citizenship and permanent disability. This pass also provides a 50% discount on some park amenities.
• The Volunteer Pass is available for free to individuals who have volunteered 250 or more hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program.
• The free Annual 4th Grade Pass (valid for September to August of the 4th grade school year) allows entry to the bearer and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle. Registration at the Every Kid Outdoors website is required.

In 2026, the National Park Service offers free admission to all national parks on 10 days:

• President's Day (February 16)
• Memorial Day (May 25)
• Flag Day (June 14)
• Independence Day Weekend (July 3-5)
• The National Park Service Birthday (August 25)
• Constitution Day (September 17)
• Theodore Roosevelt's birthday (October 27)
• Veterans Day (November 11)

Olympic National Forest

The U.S. Forest Service administers some of the land surrounding the national park, including many trailheads to destinations inside the park, as the Olympic National Forest. These areas use a separate fee system. The various nationwide National Park Service passes (such as the "America the Beautiful" Annual Pass) are also valid on USFS land, but the Olympic National Park-only permits are not valid. The other option is the Northwest Forest Pass ($5/day, $30/year).

Tribal land

Several Indian Reservations border or overlap with the park. Accessing the park from the Makah Reservation, which borders the north edge of the park's coastline and is the main road access to Shi Shi Beach, requires a Makah Reservation Recreational Permit.

Get around

By car

US-101 in the park

A car is the most practical way to get around. US-101 connects all the road-accessible regions of the park. There are no roads through the interior of the park, and US-101 enters the park proper only for brief stretches. Most access is from spur roads leading to points of interest 10 or more miles from the highway.

• Hoh Rain Forest is between Forks and the coast, 18 mi (29 km) down Upper Hoh Rd.
• La Push and Rialto Beach are just north of Forks, 10 mi (16 km) down WA-110.
• Hurricane Ridge is out of Port Angeles, 19 mi (31 km) down Hurricane Ridge Rd. All vehicles traveling to Hurricane Ridge during the winter season (November - April) are required to carry tire chains.
• Quilcene and the east side can be accessed from a variety of roads along the Hood Canal portion of US-101.
• Staircase is out of Hoodsport, 16 mi (26 km) down WA-119.

The best way to see the park is to do the "Olympic Peninsula Loop", driving along US-101 from Aberdeen to Olympia in either direction. This takes a minimum of six hours of driving, and most people will want three or four days to explore the most popular areas of the park. For many visitors, the highlight is the coastal section along US-101 between Aberdeen and Forks, including Kalaloch Campground, the Hoh Rain Forest, Rialto Beach, and the hike to Ozette. The next most popular area is Hurricane Ridge, the highest area in the park accessible by road.

The park is huge, so plan travel times carefully. You don't want to spend all your time on the road.

By bus

There is only one destination within the park with easy and frequent mass transit access:

• 1 Hurricane Ridge Shuttle, 123 E Front Street, Port Angeles (at Gateway Transit Center). Memorial Day to Labor Day. Hourly shuttle between Port Angeles and Hurricane Ridge. $1 each way, $2 round trip. (updated Dec 2024)

There is limited bus service connecting the towns along US-101, and a few of these routes make stops near a point of interest. (See bus information for the Olympic Peninsula for a comprehensive list of routes.)

• Clallam Transit, ☏ +1 360-452-4511, toll-free: +1-800-858-3747. Operates buses in Port Angeles (Rt #20-24), Joyce (#10), Forks (Rt#14 - 17), Neah Bay (Rt#16), La Push (#15) and Sequim (Rt#30-52) in Clallam County. Connects to Jefferson Transit in Sequim and Forks. (updated Sep 2022)

• Bus Route 14 Port Angeles - Forks makes a stop at Lake Crescent.
• Bus Route 15 Forks - La Push will get you walking distance to First Beach, Second Beach, and Third Beach.

• Jefferson Transit. Operates local buses in Port Townsend (2, 3, 4, 11) and to Brinnon (1), Quilcene, Sequim (Rt #8), Port Ludlow, Poulsbo (Rt #7) and a separate 'Olympic Connector' bus between Forks and Amanda Mercantile along Hwy 101 through Jefferson County. Free ride, $8 for #14 bus. 

• Olympic Connector Amanda Mercantile - Forks stops at Kalaloch and Lake Quinault.

See

Olympic Mountains

The interior section of the park covers the Olympic Mountains, a broad cluster of mountains perforated by steep valleys of ancient forests, largely inhospitable to roads, loggers, and most other forms of development.

Clockwise from southwest to southeast, along US-101:

Lake Quinault in the mist

• 1 Quinault Valley (southwestern area of the park, about a three-hour drive from Port Angeles and one hour from Forks). A wilderness gateway to alpine meadows, jeweled lakes and ice-carved peaks. The valley has a scenic loop drive and trails through temperate rain forest in both Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest. The Quinault Valley has a number of short hiking trails, including a 1.3-mile (2.1 km) loop to the old Kestner homestead, and another that winds through groves of bigleaf maples. More info can be found through the Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station. The Quinault Valley ends at Lake Quinault. 
• 2 Queets Corridor. To preserve nearly an entire glacially carved rain forest river valley from source to sea, President Truman added the narrow Queets corridor to Olympic National Park in 1953. Glaciers and snow on Mount Olympus feed the Queets River on its descent to the Pacific. This quiet area is a popular place to spot wildlife including salmon, deer and elk. 
• 3 Hoh Rain Forest (From US-101 south of Forks, 12 miles (19 km) or so east on Upper Hoh Rd). 140 in (3,600 mm) of precipitation each year fosters a lush, green canopy of old-growth trees and a floor blanked with thick mosses and ferns. Watch for herds of elk in the area, roll down the window (even if it is raining) and take in the smell of what seems a recently drained underwater world. Stop by the visitor center, walk the Hall of Moss interpretive trail, or hike further along the Hoh River all the way to Mount Olympus. 

Sol Duc River

• 4 Sol Duc Valley (northwest region of the park, from US-101 30 mi (48 km) west of Port Angeles, south on Sol Duc Rd). Old-growth forest, sub-alpine lakes, and snowy peaks populate the Sol Duc landscape, while the Sol Duc River serves as a key highway for coho salmon, running through the valley and ascending to the lakes and headwaters in the surrounding mountains. The Salmon Cascades overlook is a popular destination during late October/early November. About 5 miles (8.0 km) down the Sol Duc Road, visitors come to watch the determined coho salmon leap over the falls on their way to spawn upstream in the Sol Duc River. 

Lake Crescent in spring

• 5 Lake Crescent (about 18 miles (29 km) west of Port Angeles). Nestled in the northern foothills of the Olympic Mountains, the pristine waters of this deep, glacially carved lake make it an ideal destination for those in search of natural beauty.
  A massive landslide isolated Lake Crescent from Lake Sutherland approximately 7,000 years ago. There are two uniquely adapted populations, the Crescenti and Beardslee trout, that resulted from genetic isolation following this event.
  There are plenty of picnic areas around the lake. Fairholme, Bovee's Meadow, La Poel, and the North Shore all have tables. 

• 6 Elwha Valley (From US-101 11 miles (18 km) west of Port Angeles, via Olympic Hot Springs Rd). The Olympic Peninsula's largest watershed. Prior to the construction of two dams in the early 1900s, it was known for its impressive salmon returns. Today, the dams are gone, and the Elwha River is now one of the largest ecosystem restoration projects in National Park Service history. The Olympic Hot Springs Road and Whiskey Bend Road offer sightseeing opportunities through the valley's lowland and montane forests, as well as access to two picnic areas and a number of hiking trails. Stop to see Madison Creek Falls, a quick walk with superb views of the gushing Elwha River to the falls, with poems in between. 

Hurricane Ridge trail in summer

• 7 Hurricane Ridge (17 miles south of Port Angeles on Hurricane Ridge Rd, off Mount Angeles Rd). Hurricane Ridge is the most easily accessed mountain area within Olympic National Park. In clear weather, fantastic views can be enjoyed throughout the year. Sunrise and sunset on a clear day provide magnificent panoramic views of much of the Olympic Range. Hurricane Ridge has a number of hiking trails, from ridgetop traverses to steep trails that descend to subalpine lakes and valleys. During the winter, snow enthusiasts enjoy the winter scenery. Ranger-guided snowshoe walks are offered on the weekends to explore and learn about the Ridge's winter environment. During the spring, wildflowers cover the ground of the subalpine meadows and blacktail deer are often spotted grazing. 

• 8 Staircase (southeastern corner of the park, about a one-hour drive from Olympia, and two hours south of Port Angeles). Enormous trunks reach for the sky, lacy limbs stretch to the sun, grooved bark is sanctuary to tiny creatures in the vast cathedral of Douglas-firs that dominate the forests on this side of the Olympic Peninsula. A variety of hiking trails navigate through the Staircase area along the Skokomish River and the nearby forests. 

Do

Beaches

For thousands of marine species, these coastal waters are a safe haven. The marine environment and offshore islands are protected by three national wildlife refuges and Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. The refuges manage the islands visible above high tide waters for 135 miles (217 km) along the coast. Large nesting colonies of birds like common murres and tufted puffins need these rocky outposts.

Few of the beaches are creatively-named, but many of them easy to access. During the summer, the beaches can be quite crowded with fishermen, clammers, and children. Remember that the northern Pacific is cold, so swimming is not for the faint of heart.

From south to north, along US-101:

Cedar Creek and Abbey Island seen from Ruby Beach

• 1 Kalaloch (south part of the coastal section, along US-101). Kalaloch is one of the most visited areas of Olympic National Park. The southern coast of the Olympic Peninsula provides some amazing sights of the pristine beaches and marine wildlife. 
  • 2 Beach 1 (south of Kalaloch).  (updated Dec 2024)
  • 3 Beach 2 (near Kalaloch).  (updated Dec 2024)
  • 4 Beach 3 (north of Kalaloch).  (updated Dec 2024)
  • 5 Ruby Beach (north of Kalaloch). An ideal location if you are seeking solitude while you enjoy nature. (updated Dec 2024)
• 6 La Push (central part of the coastal section, off of WA-110 La Push Rd). This small community on the south shore of the mouth of the Quillayute River is the main population center of the Quileute Indian Reservation, and all businesses are owned by the tribe. (updated Aug 2026)
  • 7 Third Beach (11 miles (18 km) W on WA-110, trailhead at La Push Rd, noticeable from pullover area). A quieter beach accessible after a 1.5-mile (2.4 km)-hike. No seastacks but wide enough for camping. (updated Dec 2024)
  • 8 Second Beach (13 miles (21 km) W on WA-110, trailhead at La Push Rd). Fabulous 1.5-mile (2.4 km) walk on a safe easy path through beautiful tall trees to Tealwhit Point. Great beach, tide pools and driftwood. (updated Dec 2024)
  • 9 First Beach. First Beach is part of the Quileute Indian Reservation. (updated Dec 2024)
• 10 Rialto Beach (13 miles (21 km) W on WA-110 and Mora Rd). Rocky beaches, giant drift logs, pounding waves and views of offshore islands known as 'seastacks' are features that define Rialto Beach. The lines of sand has an access to Little James Island and has a view of the La Push Marina. Make sure to see Hole-in-the-Wall which is a sea-carved arch about 1.5-mile (2.4 km) north of Rialto Beach. (updated Dec 2024)

Lake Ozette

• 11 Ozette (north part of the coastal section, off WA-112, via Hoko-Ozette Road). A diverse landscape of tall seastacks that dot the coast, the crystal waters of Lake Ozette, and the grandeur of the old-growth forests. Lake Ozette is also a place of rich history. Discoveries in the past century have unearthed the presence of a culture dating back at least 2,000 years, as well as a well-preserved 300-year-old village that had been covered by a mudslide. Over 50,000 artifacts were recovered, many of which now reside at the Makah Cultural and Research Center in Neah Bay. Two 3-mile (4.8 km) boardwalk trails lead to the coast, where seals and gray whales can be spotted during migratory months. There is also a trail leading from the coast to Ericson's Bay of Lake Ozette. 
• 12 Shi Shi Beach (south of Neah Bay).  (updated Dec 2024)

Hiking and backpacking

See also: Hiking in the United States

Olympic National Park is crisscrossed with an extensive network of hiking and backpacking trails, making it a hikers' paradise. Most of the park can only be seen from these trails, as 96% of the park is incorporated into the Olympic Wilderness, one of the greatest roadless patches in the contiguous 48 states.

The Hoh Rain Forest is lushest, densest forest in the park, and arguably in the entire western U.S.:

• Hall of Mosses Trail. (0.8 mi (1.3 km), 100 feet gain). This stroll crosses a small creek and up to an older grove of trees. Western hemlock, Douglas fir, bigleaf maple, western redcedar, red alder, vine maple, black cottonwood, and Sitka play host to a slew of different epiphytes - plants which live on other plants. 
• Hoh River Trail. (18 mi (29 km) one-way, 3700 feet gain). Follow the Hoh River through old-growth rain forest, all the way to the terminal moraine of the Blue Glacier, and the climber's approach to Mt. Olympus. Camspites are available every few miles along the trail. (updated Nov 2024)

From Lake Quinault, trails run up river valleys to meadows, alpine lakes, and ice-carved peaks:

• East Fork Quinault River. (13 mi (21 km) one-way, 1700 feet gain). Hike through the rain forest to the Enchanted Valley Chalet. (updated Nov 2024)
• North Fork Quinault River Trail. (16 mi (26 km) one-way, 3100 feet gain). Follow the North Fork Quinault River through old-growth forest to the Low Divide. Requires river crossings. Loop options available. (updated Dec 2024)

Sol Duc features a charming waterfall, and access to the park's favorite alpine lakes:

• Sol Duc Falls. (1 mi (1.6 km), 200 feet gain). Walk through old-growth forest to a waterfall overlook. (updated Nov 2024)
• Lover's Lane Loop. (6 mi (9.7 km) loop, 480 feet gain). Walk from the resort along the opposite side of the Sol Duc River, then cross the bridge at Sol Duc Falls. (updated Nov 2024)
• Mink Lake Trail. (5.2 mi (8.4 km) roundtrip, 1450 feet gain). Climb through the forest to a tiny but picturesque lake. (updated Nov 2024)
• High Divide Loop. (19 mi (31 km) loop, 4000 feet gain). A popular 2-3 day hike that passes through Seven Lakes Basin. The views of Mount Olympus are astounding on a clear day. (updated Nov 2024)

Lake Crescent features easy trails along the lake and surrounding forests, as well as access to a few surrounding mountains:

• Marymere Falls. (1.8 mi (2.9 km), 500 feet gain). The most popular day hike from Lake Crescent, to a 90-foot waterfall. (updated Nov 2024)
• Spruce Railroad. (4 mi (6.4 km)). A trail converted from an old railway running along the north shore of Lake Crescent. (updated Nov 2024)

The Elwha Valley is the park's largest watershed, and once contained a small resort around its natural hot spring. A large dam on the Elwha river was removed in 2014, and just one year later, a flood washed out part of Olympic Hot Springs Rd.

• Boulder Creek Trail. (5 mi (8.0 km), 200 feet gain). Walk along the creek to Olympic Hot Springs, a popular backcountry hot spring bath. (updated Nov 2024)
• Humes Ranch Loop. (5 mi (8.0 km), 550 feet gain). Hike along the narrows of the Elwha River to Humes Cabin, occupied until the 1940s. (updated Nov 2024)

Hurricane Ridge has the most dramatic alpine views you can find in the park without mountain climbing:

• From the parking lot are several short (less than 0.5 mi) trails through alpine meadows to additional viewpoints.
• 13 Hurricane Hill Trail (1.3 mi (2.1 km) past the Visitor Center area). (3 mi (4.8 km) round trip, 700 ft (210 m) gain). A popular hike on a paved walkway to a high point with panoramic views of mountains and sea. (updated Aug 2026)
• Obstruction Point Rd (open Jul 4-Oct 15, weather and snow permitting), branches off right before the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, and provides access to a variety of trails.

Quilcene is on the drier eastern slopes of the Olympic Mountains. Note that many trails from the east start in the Olympic National Forest, with different permit rules:

• Upper Big Quilcene Trail. (11 mi (18 km), 3500 feet gain). A steep hike through enormous redcedars and hemlocks to Marmot Pass, with big views of the Olympics. (updated Dec 2024)

Staircase provides access to old-growth Douglas fir forests:

• Shady Lane Trail. (1 mi (1.6 km), flat). Walk from Lake Cushman along the Skokomish River to a ranger cabin. (updated Nov 2024)
• Flapjack Lakes Trail. (15 mi (24 km), 3050 feet gain). Start along the North Fork Skokomish River, then climb to a pair of circular lakes in the Olympic high country. (updated Nov 2024)
• North Fork Skokomish River Trail. (15 mi (24 km) one-way, 3568 feet gain). Hike along the river to the First Divide and the Duckabush River. (updated Nov 2024)

The Wilderness Coast consists of miles of beaches, broken up by rocky tidepools and occasional river crossings. It is continuously hikeable from the Hoh River to Shi Shi Beach at the Makah Indian Reservation, at least during low tide! If venturing beyond the most popular sections, consult the local tide tables before committing to the rockier stretches.

• South Coast Route. (17 mi (27 km) one-way, 2000 feet gain). (updated Dec 2024)
• North Coast Route. (30 mi (48 km) one-way, 200 feet gain). (updated Dec 2024)
• Ozette Loop (Ozette Triangle). (9.4 mi (15.1 km) loop, 100 feet gain). From Ozette Lake, follow a 3 mi (4.8 km) boardwalk through coastal forest to the beach at Cape Alava. The ocean here is punctuated by small islands with steep cliffs protecting a tuft of tall trees. Continuing south, find the petroglyphs at Wedding Rocks. Find the Sand Point Trail to head back into the forest. (updated Nov 2024)

Boating

Hoh River

The Hoh River is a kayaking hotspot. Kayaking and rafting are also popular through the whitewater rapids of the Elwha River.

Many people enjoy going out onto Lake Crescent during the summer and fall. Boat launches are located at both east and west ends of the lake. Rowboats are available for rental from Lake Crescent Lodge. There are also boat launches on Lake Ozette and Lake Quinault.

Winter sports

• 14 Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area, ☏ +1 848-667-7669. Small ski area with 3 lifts (2 rope tows) and 10 trails. One of only three lift-serviced ski areas in the National Park system. There are also opportunities nearby for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding. 

Buy

• Discover Your Northwest (formerly Northwest Interpretive Association), ☏ +1 360-569-6790. operates sales outlets at visitor centers throughout the park. They offer publications, maps, posters, videos, children's literature, and other informational materials. There is an online bookstore available and items can be purchased over the phone with a credit card. 

• On Upper Hoh Rd, there is one stop for gas and snack food, etc., before the park entrance.

Eat

Your best option for meals are in Port Angeles, Forks, and the smaller towns surrounding the park along US-101. Dining options within the park are mostly confined to the park lodges.

Sleep

Lodging

There are four lodging options located within the park:

• 1 Kalaloch Lodge, 157151 US-101, Forks. Offers cabins, motel and lodge rooms, along with a dining room and grocery store. Kalaloch is a lodge located on a bluff, just above a beach. The lodge has been in existence for many years, but has undergone renovations and become much more tourist friendly. The view from the lodge is still one of the best in the area, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. There are cabins available for rent, which are quite expensive, but are the only places to sleep indoors in the area. These cabins are very nice, and well maintained. If a large group of people are travelling together, then it may be a fun thing to do to rent one. 
• 2 Log Cabin Resort, 3183 E Beach Rd, Port Angeles (about 20 miles (32 km) west of Port Angeles). Offers a variety of lodging options, along with a camping area for RVs and tents. A dining room, soda fountain, boat rentals, a grocery and gift shop and is on the north shore of Lake Crescent 
• 3 Lake Crescent Lodge, 416 Lake Crescent Rd, ☏ +1 360-928-3211. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. The lodge has cabins, motel rooms and rooms in the historic lodge building, along with a dining room, lounge and coffee bar, gift shop and boat rentals. (updated May 2020)
• 4 Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, 12076 Sol Duc Hot Springs Rd (40 miles (64 km) west of Port Angeles), toll-free: +1-888-896-3818. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Offers cabins, hot spring pools, a dining room, poolside deli and a grocery store. An RV park with hookups is also available. (updated May 2020)

Outside of the park, the following communities have lodging options:

• North Olympic Peninsula: Port Angeles, Sequim, Port Townsend, Forks, Sekiu and Clallam Bay.
• Hood Canal Area: Hoodsport, Lake Cushman and Shelton.
• Lake Quinault: Lake Quinault and Amanda Park.

Camping

Campsite on the shores of Lake Quinault

See also: Camping in the United States

Most campgrounds inside the park are open year-round, except those at elevation. Some campgrounds require reservations during peak summer season, generally June through September. Otherwise, campsites are first-come, first-served.

Campgrounds can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 21 feet (6.4 m) in length, unless otherwise noted. Most campground toilets are wheelchair accessible, unless otherwise noted. All park campsites provide a picnic table and fire pit. Park campgrounds do not have hook-ups or showers. Group campgrounds are provided at Sol Duc and Kalaloch.

• 5 Deer Park Campground, Deer Park Rd (from US-101 east of Port Angeles, take Deer Park Rd). 14 sites. At 5,400 feet (1,600 m) in elevation, Deer Park boasts mountain views and starry skies. With a steep and winding gravel access road, Deer Park is not RV accessible. $15 per night, first-come, first served. (updated Aug 2026)
• 6 Fairholme Campground, Camp David Jr Rd (on the west side of Lake Crescent). 88 sites. Fairholme includes lakeside campsites and a nearby boat launch on Lake Crescent. $24 per night, reservations required in summer. (updated Aug 2026)
• 7 Graves Creek Campground, Graves Creek Rd (from US-101 at Lake Quinault, take either the North Shore and South Shore roads to Graves Creek Rd). 30 sites. Relax near a serene stream in the Quinault Rain Forest. $20 per night, first-come, first-served. (updated Aug 2026)
• 8 Heart O' the Hills Campground, Heart O' the Hills Rd (From Port Angeles, take Hurricane Ridge Rd). 97 sites. Surrounded by old-growth forest, Heart O'the Hills offers summer ranger programs. $24 per night, first-come, first-served. (updated Aug 2026)
• 9 Hoh Rain Forest Campground, Upper Hoh Rd (from US-101 south of Forks, all the way down Upper Hoh Rd). 78 sites. Surround yourself with moss and ancient trees in this temperate rain forest. Hoh campground offers summer ranger programs and some riverside campsites along the Hoh River. $24 per night, reservations required in summer. (updated Aug 2026)
• 10 Kalaloch Campround (on US-101, 36 miles (58 km) south of Forks). 170 sites. Oceanside camp with some sites overlooking the Pacific Ocean. $24 per night, reservations required in summer. (updated Aug 2026)
• 11 Mora Campground, Mora Rd (from US-101 a few miles north of Forks, take WA-110, then Mora Rd). 94 sites. Situated in a coastal forest, some sites offer views of the Quillayute River. Mora is 2 miles (3.2 km) from Rialto Beach. $24 per night, reservations required in summer. (updated Aug 2026)
• 12 North Fork Campground, North Shore Rd (from Lake Quinault, take North Shore Rd). 9 sites. Surrounded by temperate rain forest, this small and remote campground is a great spot for campers seeking solitude. $20 per night, first-come, first-served. (updated Aug 2026)
• 13 Ozette Campground, Hoko-Ozette Rd (from US-101, take WA-112 or WA-113 to Hoko-Ozette Rd). 15 sites. This small campground on Lake Ozette is great for those that enjoy lakeside camping and water activities. $20 per night, first-come, first-served. (updated Aug 2026)
• 14 Queets Campground, Upper Queets Rd (from US-101 between Lake Quinault and Kalaloch, take Upper Queets Rd). 20 sites. Relax in this secluded campground near the Queets River. $15 per night, first-come, first-served. (updated Aug 2026)
• 15 South Beach Campground, US-101 (on US-101 near Kalaloch, 36 miles (58 km) south of Forks). 55 sites. Positioned on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, South Beach offers panoramic ocean views and beach access. $20 per night, first-come, first-served. (updated Aug 2026)

• 16 Staircase Campground (from US-101 northwest of Hoodsport, take WA-119, which will then turn into an unpaved road). 49 sites. Camp near the Skokomish River and enjoy old-growth forest at Staircase. Summer ranger programs and riverside campsites available. $24 per night, reservations required in summer. (updated Aug 2026)
• Concessionaires operate RV parks at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and Log Cabin Resort on Lake Crescent.

Backcountry

Wilderness Camping Permits are required for all overnight stays in Olympic National Park wilderness (backcountry). Wilderness Camping Permits are handled through the Recreation.gov Wilderness Permit page. No sites are held as same-day walk-ups. Once issued, you can print the permit yourself.

A few backcountry camps are so large that they rarely fill to capacity, even during peak season in popular areas such as the Hoh River and the beaches. However, other popular areas are subject to quotas, to prevent overcrowding and damage. Wilderness permits are also used to locate overdue or lost parties; as well as in case of a family emergency.

Permits for the summer season (May 15th through October 15th) become available on April 15th. Weekend reservations for popular areas fill up quickly.

Bear canisters are required in many wilderness areas. Bear canisters are available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Wilderness Information Center (WIC) (in Port Angeles, at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center), ☏ +1 360 565-3100. Speak with a ranger about your permit, request a walk-up permit, or borrow a bear canister. 

Stay safe

Wildlife

Keep wildlife wild. Though many of the animals in the park are used to seeing humans, they should not be fed or disturbed, and all wildlife in national parks are protected by federal law. Stay at least 150 ft (46 m) away from bears and 75 ft (23 m) from all other wild animals! Check trailhead postings of recent animal activity, or ask a park ranger for local advice.

The Olympics are habitat for many large animals that could potentially be dangerous:

• Black bears — There have been fewer than a dozen bear attacks in Washington in the last century, but hikers need to know about bear safety.
• Cougars (mountain lions) — Cougars are naturally shy and secretive, and sightings are rare. There have only been two fatal attacks in Washington in the last century. If a cougar approaches you, it is either protecting its young or is desperately hungry. Never turn your back or run from a cougar; back away slowly, and fight back if an attack is imminent. Learn more about hiking in cougar country.
• Elk — these herd animals are not aggressive like their moose cousins, but can be dangerous if they feel threatened.

Hiking and camping

Approach the wilderness with respect and preparation, as recklessness or poor planning can get you into trouble. The mountains and wildernesses of the western U.S. may be more remote than you are used to. See the articles on hiking and wilderness backpacking for suggested gear, preparation, and discussion of risks.

There's a few considerations specific to Olympic National Park:

• Bring tidal information with you, as many beaches are impassable during high tides and hikers have been known to be caught off guard and stranded. Do not camp within the range of the high tide; besides getting wet, ocean debris might wash up on beaches and crush tents during the night.
• Do not drink untreated water from natural sources, as it may contain giardia or other water-borne pathogens. Tap water is not a problem.
• There is poor or no cell phone coverage away from US-101, including some of the visitor centers and lodges.

Crime

Lock your car doors and exercise sensible precautions with valuables, especially when leaving your vehicle at trail-heads or anywhere you might be away from your vehicle for any length of time.

Go next

Explore the towns on US-101 and the Olympic Peninsula:

• Aberdeen – come as you are, to the birthplace of grunge music
• Forks – a logging town made famous by its resident vampires and werewolves
• Port Angeles – the hub of the Olympics
• Sequim – the sunniest place in Western Washington

Continue south down US-101 to the Washington and Oregon beach resorts:

• Long Beach – the longest continuous beach in the United States
• Astoria – Lewis and Clark's destination, with Victorian-era homes overlooking the Columbia River

See Washington's other National Parks:

• Mount Rainier National Park — The tallest mountain the Cascades and the most prominent mountain in the lower 48 states
• North Cascades National Park – Home to 50% of all glaciers in the lower 48 states. The undeveloped wilderness is a favorite for climbers and backpackers

Overwhelmed with natural beauty and need a city break?

• Olympia — Both the state capital and the regional epicenter of counterculture
• Seattle — The home of Starbucks features an eclectic mix of people and a vibrant city life, in the shadow of Mount Rainier
• Victoria – A small provincial capital famous for its British charm, connected by ferry from Port Angeles