National park · United States
Olympic National Park
Give it 3–4 days by car: one day Hurricane Ridge, one day Hoh Rain Forest, one day the coast at Rialto or Ruby Beach, and one day Lake Quinault or Sol Duc. Enter before 9:00 in July–August; the Hoh lot fills by mid-morning.Give it 3–4 days by car: one day Hurricane Ridge, one day Hoh Rain Forest, one day the coast at Rialto or Ruby Beach, and one day Lake Quinault or Sol Duc. Enter before 9:00 AM in July–August; the Hoh lot fills by mid-morning.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
3,734 km²1,442 sq mi
approximate
Established
1938
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 3,734 km²1,442 sq mi
- About 922,000 acres; figures vary slightly by source (check).
- Established
- 1938
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Seattle
Olympic National Park is three parks in one: a temperate rain forest on the wet west side, glacier-capped peaks in the middle, and 73 miles of roadless Pacific coastline. There are no roads through the interior, so you drive around the edges on US-101 and take spur roads in. That makes it a 3–4 day loop, not a day trip from Seattle. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, protecting one of the largest remaining blocks of old-growth forest in the lower 48 states.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1981Olympic National Park.
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1976International Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
3,734 km²1,442 sq mi · national park since 1938
About 922,000 acres; figures vary slightly by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Seattle.
Why go
- Walk through old-growth Sitka spruce and western hemlock in the Hoh Rain Forest, some of the wettest country in the lower 48.
- Hurricane Ridge gives a high alpine view of the Olympic Mountains without a long hike — 17 miles of road from Port Angeles.
- The wilderness coast at Rialto Beach, Ruby Beach and Ozette has sea stacks, tidepools and no development.
- Lake Quinault and Sol Duc add quiet forest and hot springs on the south and north sides.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanWet, mild; Hurricane Ridge road often closed
- FebWet; chains required on ridge road
- MarRain forest at its greenest; snow up high
- AprWildflowers start; ridge road may still close
- MayTrails melt out early; fewer crowds
- JunLong days; ridge road open
- JulDriest, sunniest; busiest
- AugWarm and dry; book lodging early
- SepDry, quieter, good light
- OctRain returns; fall colour in the valleys
- NovWet; ridge road closes for winter
- DecWettest month; coast storms
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roosevelt elkAll year · Often in the Hoh and Quinault valleys; keep well back. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Black-tailed deer and Olympic marmotJun–Sep · Marmots are found only in the Olympics; seen in high meadows. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Sea otters, harbour seals and sea lionsAll year · From the coastal headlands; never approach haul-outs. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Gray and humpback whalesMar–May, Sep–Nov · Migration seasons; watch from the shore. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Tidepool life (sea stars, anemones, crabs)Apr–Sep · Best on a low tide; do not move animals. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Seattle
Drive I-5 south to Tacoma, then WA-16 and US-101 to Port Angeles; or take a Puget Sound ferry and drive west.
2.5–3.5 h
Open the page →
From Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Same drive; pick up a rental car at the airport.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Victoria, BC
Coho ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles, then drive to the ridge or the coast.
1.5 h crossing
From Olympic Peninsula plan
Where to base yourself, the US-101 loop and the towns around the park.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | Alpine meadows, viewpoints and short trails at about 5,200 ft, reached from Port Angeles. | Open by road in summer; chains required in winter. |
| Hoh Rain Forest | Old-growth temperate rain forest with the Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature trails. | Open year-round; entrance station and visitor centre. |
| Sol Duc Valley | Forest trails and hot springs on the north side, off US-101 near Lake Crescent. | Open; resort and campground (hot springs privately operated). |
| Lake Crescent and Elwha | A deep clear lake and the Elwha river valley, both close to Port Angeles. | Open; road and trail access. |
| Pacific coast | Rialto Beach, La Push, Ruby Beach and the Ozette loop, with sea stacks and tidepools. | Open; some trailheads need a short walk. |
| Lake Quinault and Staircase | Rain forest and river valleys on the south and southeast edges. | Open; ranger stations seasonal. |
Sketch map
- 1Port Angeles visitor centre · Headquarters≈48.100, -123.426Map ↗
- 2Hurricane Ridge · Viewpoint≈47.969, -123.499Map ↗
- 3Hoh Rain Forest visitor centre · Headquarters≈47.860, -123.934Map ↗
- 4Rialto Beach · Beach≈47.920, -124.640Map ↗
- 5Ruby Beach · Beach≈47.710, -124.410Map ↗
- 6Lake Quinault · Trail≈47.470, -123.870Map ↗
- 7Sol Duc Falls · Trail≈47.950, -123.830Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance fee (private vehicle) | US$35 | vehicle | Valid 7 days; raised in 2024 (check). |
| Entrance fee (per person, walk or bike) | US$15 | person | Valid 7 days; 2026 estimate (check). |
| Entrance fee (motorcycle) | US$25 | motorcycle | Valid 7 days; 2026 estimate (check). |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | pass | Covers this park and other federal sites for a year; 2026 estimate (check). |
| Hurricane Ridge shuttle from Port Angeles | US$1–2 | person | One way / round trip; summer only (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entrance permit or guide
Wilderness camping (backcountry) permit or guide
Winter access to Hurricane Ridge permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Not allowed on park trails or beaches; only in parking areas and some campgrounds.
- Drones
- Launching or landing a drone anywhere in the park is prohibited.check
- Campfires
- Only in provided fire rings at campgrounds; check seasonal fire bans before lighting anything.
- Tidepool and wildlife
- Do not touch or move tidepool animals; stay at least 100 yards from seals and sea lions.
- Leave No Trace
- Pack out all rubbish; do not collect plants, rocks or driftwood.
Where to stay
Near the park
Port Angeles
Main service town; motels and hotels, 20–30 min from Hurricane Ridge Road.
Near the park
Forks
Closest town to the Hoh Rain Forest and Rialto Beach; motels and a few inns.
In the park
Lake Crescent Lodge and Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
Historic in-park lodging; book months ahead for summer.
In the park
Park campgrounds (Kalaloch, Sol Duc, Hoh and others)
Reservations open on a rolling window; some sites first-come.
Safety
Coastal tides and sneaker waves high
Rain and hypothermia medium
Winter driving on Hurricane Ridge Road medium
Remoteness and no phone signal medium
Accessibility
- Hurricane Ridge has paved viewpoints and accessible short trails near the parking area.
- The Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature trails at Hoh are flat and partly boardwalked.
- Most coastal and backcountry trails are rough sand, rock or roots; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on trails in the rain forest; the moss and understory are easily damaged.
- Use the Hurricane Ridge shuttle from Port Angeles in summer instead of driving up.
- Keep to low-tide routes on the coast and leave tidepool animals where they are.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Olympic National Park?
A private vehicle pays about US$30 for a 7-day pass; walkers and cyclists about US$15, motorcycles about US$25 (2026 estimate, check current rates). The US$80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers this park and other federal sites for a year.
What are the best hikes in Olympic National Park?
For most visitors: the Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature Trail in the Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Hill at Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc Falls, the beach walk to Hole-in-the-Wall at Rialto Beach, and the Ozette loop on the coast. The Hoh River Trail is the pick if you want a longer forest walk.
When is the best time to visit Olympic National Park?
July to September for the driest, sunniest weather and full access to Hurricane Ridge. May, June and September are quieter with good conditions. The rain forest and coast are open year-round and are at their greenest in spring, but expect rain.
Do I need a reservation to visit?
No timed-entry reservation is required for the park itself (check, as rules change). You do need a permit for overnight backcountry camping, and in-park lodging and campgrounds should be booked well ahead for summer.
Can I see the park without a car?
Only partly. A summer shuttle runs between Port Angeles and Hurricane Ridge, but the Hoh Rain Forest, Sol Duc and the coast have no useful bus service. A car is the practical way to see the park.
How many days do I need?
Three to four days to cover Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rain Forest and the coast without rushing. The full US-101 loop is at least six hours of driving alone.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Sources
- officialNational Park Service — Olympic National Park
- officialNational Park Service — Fees and passes
- officialNational Park Service — Visitor centres
- officialUNESCO World Heritage Centre — Olympic National Park
- secondaryWikipedia — Olympic National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Olympic National Park, revision 5331924 (CC BY-SA 4.0)