The Olympic Peninsula: Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest
The Olympic Peninsula has 20 State Parks, a National Forest, and a National Park. Olympic National Park in the Pacific Northwest is the 6th most popular US park and receives 30 million visitors each year. This park is 1 million acres and known for having three ecosystems: glacier mountains, rugged coastline, and rainforest. The Olympic National Forest is 633,000 acres with over 250 miles of trails. You will find old-growth forests, alpine ridges and meadows, glacier-fed lakes, sandy beaches, rugged coastlines covered in driftwood, sea stacks, tide pools, waterfalls, hot springs, and fern-covered hiking trails. Mountain goats, Roosevelt elk, cougar, bobcats, black bears, grey whales, orcas, humpback whales, eagles, marmots, and salmon live in the area. Popular activities include hiking, cycling, kayaking, rock climbing, beachcombing, clam digging, tide pooling, surfing, kitesurfing, scuba diving, sport fishing, and mushroom hunting. Plan your visit with this Olympic National Park Travel Guide.
You are excited to visit Olympic National Park and want to know the best time of year to visit, where to stay, what not to miss, and where to eat while there. Researching the best things to do while visiting Olympic National Park while working full time is overwhelming and you don’t have hours to spend on the internet. Save time and plan an unforgettable trip full of top activities with this Olympic National Park travel blog.
READ 10 Day Glacier National Park and the Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary
Where is Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is on the Olympic Peninsula in the state of Washington. The easiest way to reach this park is to fly into Seattle, rent a car, and drive 2.5 hours from the airport. The 330-mile Olympic Peninsula Scenic Drive is also US 101.
Where to Stay on the Olympic Peninsula
Reservations are required for Kalaloch, Mora, and Sol Duc campgrounds. All other campgrounds are first-come, first-served. Permit and reservations are required to backpack into the wilderness for an overnight stay. Lodging is available at Lake Crescent Lodge, Log Cabin Resort, Kalaloch Lodge, and Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. There are many hotels in the surrounding communities.
Facts About Olympic National Park
The Olympic Coast is part of the whale trail and known for sightings of migrating whales.
Olympic National Park became a National Monument in 1909, a National Park in 1938, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. It is also a Biosphere Reserve.
Over 95% of the park is a designated wilderness area.
The Hoh and Quinault Rainforests are the only remaining temperate rainforests.
The Hoh Rainforest gets 12 feet of rain annually.
Lake Cresent is so clear it is possible to see 60 feet deep.
There are 24 major waterfalls in Olympic National Park.
There are 60 named glaciers, Blue Glacier on Mt Olympic is 2.6 miles long.
Olympic National Park has 64 trailheads making up 611 hiking trails.
The Point of Arches on ShiShi Beach is a National Landmark
Olympic National Park is the only place in the world to see the Olympic Marmot.
The Forks is the filming location of the Twilight series.
Hoh Rainforest was used for scenes in Star Wars: Episode IV Return of the Jedi
Best Time of Year to Visit the Olympic Peninsula
Summer is the warmest time of year. The park is busiest from June through September when the snow has melted and all attractions are open. Fall is a popular time to visit to see the salmon swim upstream and watch the migrating whales. Some campgrounds and roads are closed from October to May. Winter brings dark clouds and snow. Many roads and attractions close. Hurricane Ridge is a popular place for snowboarding, tubing, and snowshoeing. Spring is the best time to see the waterfalls and wild rhododendrons in bloom. Weather is unpredictable in the spring, be prepared for snow and fog.
Things to Do in and Around Olympic National Park
Photograph the dead tree stumps in Lake Cushman.
Photograph the North Fork Skokomish River from the viewpoint.
Check out Puget Sound from the Mount Walker Viewpoint.
Visit Sequim’s lavender farms and U-pick berry farms.
See the Dungeness Spit and walk out to the lighthouse.
Stop in the Strait of Juan de Fuca to watch the whales migrate in Apr, May, Oct, or Nov.
Attend a Ranger-led program at Hurricane Ridge and check out the view from Hurricane Hill.
Participate in a night sky program and gaze at the Milky Way.
Jump a ferry to Victoria British Columbia, Canada.
Eat Dungeness Crab in Port Angeles.
Check out Madison Falls and Marymere Falls.
Photograph the Mount Storm King Ranger Station at Lake Crescent.
Kayak or canoe Lake Crescent or Ozette Lake.
Watch the salmon swim upstream at Salmon Cascades (September and October).
Hike to the Sol Duc Waterfall or relax in Sol Duc Hot Springs.
Visit Forks, the setting of the Twilight Series.
Stand on the Northwestern point of the contiguous US in Cape Flattery.
Say hello to the beavers at James Pond.
Check out the sea stacks and garnet-colored sand at Ruby Beach.
Visit the Hoh Rainforest.
Explore the tidepools at Kalaloch Beach during low tide.
Photograph the Tree of Life at Kalaoch Day Use Area.
Visit the Quinault Rainforest and Merriman Falls.
Fish for salmon, bull trout, steelhead, and char, or dig for clams.
Cycle the Olympic Discovery Trail.
Most Popular Olympic National Park Hikes
Hike the Staircase Rapids 2-mile trail to the suspension bridge
Take the 1.4 miles RT trail to Murhut Falls and stop by Rocky Brook Falls.
Walk up the .5-mile grade on Rain Shadow Loop for amazing views.
Check out the .4-mile Living Forest Trail Loop.
Hike the 1.6-mile path with 3 switchbacks on Hurricane Hill for panoramic views.
Hike the Ozette Loop, a 10-mile loop combining Cape Alava and the Sand Point Trail.
Explore the tidepools and hike 1.5 miles to Hole in the Rock on Rialto Beach.
Hike 1.8 miles to see the Strawberry Bay Waterfall dump into the ocean on Third Beach.
Take the .8-mile Hall of Moses loop trail through the rainforest.
Take the Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail to the Kestner Homestead (1-mile loop).
Waterfalls to Visit in Olympic National Park
Sol Duc Falls (1.6-mile hike), Marymere Falls (1.7-mile hike), Madison Falls (.2 mile), Beaver Falls (roadside), Spoon Creek Falls (.3 mile), Murhurt Falls (1.4-mile hike), Rocky Brooks Falls (.25 mile hike), Falls Creek Falls (1.9-mile lightly trafficked loop), Strawberry Bay Falls (1.3-mile hike), Hamma Hamma Falls (roadside), Merriman Falls (roadside), Willaby Creek (.5 mile hike).
Tips for Visiting the Olympic Peninsula
Olympic National Park is 1 million acres. There is no road through the park. Hwy 101 circles the area with spur roads leading to points of interest. Be sure to plan your time carefully and pay attention to mileage.
Most islands, rocks, and reefs are designated wilderness and closed to visitors to protect the wildlife.
The weather is unpredictable, bring a raincoat, jacket, and dress in layers.
Bring rain boots for tide pooling.
Learn bear safety, bear spray is essential for back-country hikes.
Bug spray is a good idea for rainforest hikes.
Free entrance days are Jan 21, Apr 20, Aug 25, Sep 28, and Nov 11.
Cell phone service is inconsistent, download the NPS App and offline maps.
Print a calendar of low tides and a mileage chart before you leave.
Practice Leave No Trace Principles
Purchase an America the Beautiful Pass and keep exploring National Parks
Be sure to check the Olympic Peninsula Office of Tourism for current events.
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Plan Your Olympic National Park Itinerary
Washington Travel Guide
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Olympic National Park Attractions and Day Tours
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