Olympic National Park Guide - Top Attractions & Tips

Olympic National Park, Washington, is a true monument to the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Tucked in the Olympic Peninsula, this park wows its visitors with something few can match: three distinctly different parks in one.

The nearly one million-acre park comprises 73 miles of untouched Pacific coastline, 266 snow-capped glaciers, and two forests full of wild animals. 

Altogether, these ecosystems create a dramatic setting that makes this one of Washington’s most sought-after destinations for families, hikers, adventurers, and road trips.

Curve your perfect multifaceted adventure trip with these top things to do in Olympic National Park. 

Key Takeaways

• Olympic National Park is located in the northwest corner of Washington state. The nearest cities/towns to the park are Port Angeles (1.8 miles), Sequim (17.3 miles), Port Townsend (47 miles), and Seattle (82 miles). 
• Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, Sol Duc, and Hoh Rainforest are the most popular Olympic National Park entrances. 
• Olympic National Park has 15 campgrounds and about 900 sites. Full RV hookups in Olympic National Park are only available at Log Cabin Resort and Sol Duc Hot Springs RV parks. 

Visiting Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is the fifth most visited national park in the contiguous US. It’s located in the northwest corner of Washington state on the Olympic Peninsula near the towns of Port Angeles (1.8 mi), Sequim (17.3 mi), Port Townsend (47.5 mi), and Forks (56.5 mi). The Seattle to Olympic National Park distance is 82.4 miles or a 2.5-hour drive. 

Olympic National Park is easily accessible by car, bus, or plane. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the nearest airport to the park. From the airport, the best option is to rent a car and embark on a road and ferry trip to the park. 

Olympic Bus Lines and Clallam Transit System connect to the park, but don’t enter. This leaves driving as the only best way to get around the park. 

Speaking of driving, there are 11 entrances to Olympic National Park. All the entrances are accessible via Highway 101, which encircles most of the Olympic Peninsula. 

Hurricane Ridge near Port Angeles is a popular entrance from the north, thanks to its ease of access and scenic views. A short drive to the west is Lake Crescent Entrance. This is one of the best options to start your Olympic National Park itinerary by swimming or paddling in one of the best lakes in the US: Lake Crescent.  

From the west, the Hoh Rainforest entrance is your best option if you first want to explore the temperate rainforest. 

If you’re coming from the gateway towns of Hoodsport, Olympia, and Aberdeen, consider the southern entrances of Quinault and Staircase. 

The best way to get to Olympic National Park from Canada is to take the 90-minute ferry ride from Victoria, B.C, directly to Port Angeles.

When to Visit Olympic National Park 

The summer months of July and August are the best time to visit Olympic National Park because of the sunny weather (60-80 degrees F) and low rainfall. The mild weather makes this the perfect time to hit the best hikes in Olympic National Park.

Note that thunderstorms are always a possibility, even in the summer. Include a waterproof but breathable rain jacket in your camping checklist if you plan to hike or camp above the treeline. 

Olympic National Park is super busy, thanks to its easy access from Victoria and Seattle. One way to beat its summer crowds is to arrive early (before 10 AM) or later in the afternoon when most visitors are heading out. 

Olympic National Park Lodging

Olympic National Park has many accommodation options inside and outside the park. But given its massive size, exploring all the Olympic National Park things to do while staying in only one location is somewhat difficult.

The attractions are really spread out, meaning moving between certain regions will often involve hours of driving. Because of this, visitors trying to make the most of their short trip choose to stay at different places.

trip choose to stay at different places.

There are four Olympic National Park lodging options if you want to stay inside the park

• Lake Crescent Lodge
• Lake Quinault Lodge
• Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
• Kalaloch Lodge

Best Campgrounds inside Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park has 15 developed campgrounds and around 900 campsites. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit and can accommodate RVs of up to 21 feet. There are no water/electricity hookups and showers, though. The Aramark-operated Sol Duc Hot Springs and Log Cabin Resort parks are the only campgrounds that offer full RV hookups. 

Here are some of the best campgrounds in Olympic National Park:

• Best Washington State campgrounds with ocean views: South Beach, Kalaloch
• Best RV campgrounds: Sol Duc Hot Springs and Log Cabin Resort
• Best campgrounds for dispersed camping: Ozette, Queets, and North Fork
• Best for experiencing the Hoh rainforest: Hoh Campground
• Best campground near Lake Crescent: Fairholme Campground 

Where to Stay Near Olympic National Park

In addition to staying inside the park, accommodation options abound in the towns/cities bordering Olympic National Park. Stay in Port Angeles if you want to explore Lake Crescent and Hurricane Ridge while being close to amenities like grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations.

We recommend staying in or around the movie town of Forks if you want to be close to the Hoh Rainforest and the Pacific coast. 

Olympic National Park Itinerary

Olympic National Park Washington covers 922,651 acres and protects three different ecosystems: glacier-covered mountains, a rainforest, and the wild Pacific coast. 

You’d need at least two days to experience several of the best things to do in Olympic National Park. If you can spare 4-5 days, you’re golden. 

But let’s assume you only have three days. Here’s how you can experience the most of Olympic National Park without wearing yourself out. 

Day 1: Sea-Tac Airport/Port Angeles/Madison Falls/Hurricane Ridge

If you’re visiting from another state or overseas, you’ll typically want to fly to Seattle Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), where you’ll rent a car and drive to Port Angeles. From the airport, the fastest route is the Tacoma Narrows Bridge route (around 2 hours and 20 minutes). But you can also drive to Seattle and take the ferry to Bainbridge Island, then drive north to Port Angeles (roughly 3 hours). 

Assuming you arrive at Port Angeles around midday, you’ll probably want to check into your hotel first and get some food. 

Madison Creek Falls 

From Port Angeles, drive for around 20 minutes west on Highway 101 to Madison Creek Falls trailhead. The brimming beauty is an easy 0.2-mile hike (out and back) from the parking lot. Despite being so close to Port Angeles, the 50-foot waterfall is typically not crowded. Plus, you can take photos right next to the fall. 

Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge is about an hour's drive from Madison Creek Falls and 40 minutes from Port Angeles. 

There’s a reason why the Hurricane Ridge is a must-see when visiting Olympic National Park. At an elevation of 5,242 feet, this is an easily accessible scenic area that treats you to a stunning panorama of mountain and alpine meadows in the interior of the Olympic mountains. 

Any time is a good time to visit this jewel. But seeing it at sunset can be a rewarding experience as the rays paint the mountain ranges with a peculiarly golden light.

Most people visit Hurricane Ridge mainly for its breathtaking views. You can do this right from the parking lot or through the large windows of the visitor center. If time allows, you can also explore Hurricane Ridge hiking trails or have a picnic at its two picnic areas. Hurricane Ridge has nearly 20 miles of cross-country skiing routes if you're visiting during the winter. 

Day 2: Lake Sutherland/Lake Crescent/Marymere Falls/Sol Duc Falls

Lake Sutherland and Lake Crescent

The next day, check out from your Port Angeles hotel and drive west on Highway 101 towards Lake Crescent. Your first stop for the day will be at Lake Sutherland, approximately 20 minutes from Port Angeles. 

Lake Sutherland was formed when debris from an ancient landslide blocked a significant part of Lake Crescent.

Both lakes offer the perfect place for a serene getaway. Swimming is an unforgettable way of enjoying these sapphire-colored lakes. But the two also provide a wide range of other water fun activities, including fishing, kayaking, and boating. So, come ready for a real adrenaline rush. 

Marymere Falls

Marymere Falls is one of the most scenic waterfalls in Olympic National Park. You shouldn’t miss it, especially considering it’s a quick hike from Lake Crescent. 

The Marymere Falls trail is about one mile (in and out) and is considered friendly to the entire family. It’s generally flat and will take you through a beautiful conifer tree area, a bridge, and amazing mossy trees.

Optional: Sol Duc Falls

This will be a good time to tick off Sol Duc Falls from your Washington Olympic National Park bucket list. Sol Duc is considered by many to be the most beautiful waterfall in the park. Even better, the hike from the parking lot to the falls is short (1.6 miles, out and back), easy, and breathtaking. Sol Duc Falls is roughly 38 minutes from Marymere Falls. 

Where do you stay on your second night?

You have multiple options here. The nearby Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort may be your first choice. If you prefer camping, Sol Duc Campground is a short walk from the resort and even has hot spring pools. We highly recommend reserving a campsite in the peak season.  

The 1915 Lake Crescent Lodge is another popular place and an Olympic National Park must-see spot, even if you’re not staying the night. You can also check out Lake Sutherland Lodge. And remember, there are lots of accommodation options in Forks, which is about an hour from Sol Ducs Resort.

Day 3: Forks/Hoh Rainforest/Ruby Beach/Kalaloch Beach 

Hoh Rainforest 

You can’t visit Washington Olympic National Park and fail to go to Hoh Rainforest. It’s 31.1 miles from Forks or a 50-minute drive. Going there early is important as it gets crowded from 10 AM. 

If you love natural beauty, the fresh air, glacial blue rivers, greenery, and unique foliage make the Hoh Rainforest totally worth it. The forest canopy extends up to 250 feet high, and the floor- covered in soft mosses- is home to all sorts of eerie critters, including banana slugs, snails, snakes, and rodents.

Water-resistant clothing like these pants in our men’s outdoor wear collection will come in handy. Also, remember to include insect repellent in your simple first-aid checklist. 

Ruby Beach

After exploring all there is at Hoh, it’s time to hit some of the best beaches on the West Coast, starting with Ruby Beach. This popular beach is around 18 minutes from Hoh Rainforest and 35 minutes from Forks. Some of its remarkable features include its peculiar set of angular sea stacks, tide pools, and rugged coastline. 

Kalaloch Beach

A six-minute drive south of Ruby Beach takes you to yet another gem of the Puget Sound coast- Kalaloch Beach (pronounced Claylock). This is one of the best places for sunset viewing, birdwatching, and whale watching on the rugged Washington coastline. Kalaloch Beach is also home to the Tree of Life, which most people describe as beyond beautiful. 

What Next?

If you still have time, check out our recommendations of other places to visit in Olympic National Park below. Otherwise, grab something to eat at Creekside Restaurant as you plan your drive back to Seattle. 

Best Things to Do and See in Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park Things to Do

Hiking

Wondering what to do in Olympic National Park? Well, get your backpacking checklist in order and prepare to hit some of the best hiking trails in Washington. Olympic National Park boasts over 194 trails and is sure to offer something for everyone.

Here are a few of the best day hikes in Olympic National Park:

• Hurricane Hill Trail (moderately challenging, 3-mile round trip)
• 5-Mile Island Trail (moderately challenging, 10.1-mile round trip)
• Mount Ellinor (challenging, 6.2-mile round trip)
• Lover’s Lane Loop (easy, 2-mile loop)
• Ozette Triangle Loop Trail (moderately challenging, 9.3-mile round trip)

Discover the best West Coast beaches 

A roundup of the best things to see in Olympic National Park wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the beaches. The pristine beaches here seem almost untouched by humans and offer perfect spots for beach strolling and whale watching.

The best beaches in Olympic National Park include; 

• Ruby beach
• Rialto beach
• Shi Shi beach
• La Push (First, Second, and Third Beach)
• Ozette beach
• Mora beach

Must-See Places to Visit in Olympic National Park

Tree of Life

We bet nothing screams you’ve visited Olympic National Park than a photo of the Tree of Life. The magical Tree of Life is located a five-minute drive north of Kalaloch Lodge and 45 minutes south of Forks. 

Hole in the Wall 

The Hole in the Wall is another signature attraction of Olympic National Park. This unique rock formation is located 1.5 miles north of Rialto Beach. Rialto Beach is 20 minutes from Forks. 

Final Thoughts

Olympic National Park is packed with one-of-a-kind attractions and is bound to leave even the most skeptical of visitors intrigued. Beyond the rugged Pacific coastline, the old-growth rainforest, and glacier-capped mountains, this magical destination packs all the fun activities one would wish for in one of the best national parks in the US. In short, visit Olympic National Park. Your inner child will thank you.

Mother Nanny Goats walking down Hurricane Hill in Olympic National Park by: Htrnr.