Olympic National Park
Discover Olympic National Park
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. 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.
Famous Beaches
Taste of Olympic National Park...
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. There are four lodging options located within the park: Outside of the park, the following communities have lodging options: Olympic has 16 NPS-operated campgrounds. Concession-operated RV parks are in the park at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and Log Cabin Resort on Lake Crescent. 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 in the chart below. All campsites are first-come, first-served, except for Kalaloch, Hoh, Mora, and Sol Duc. 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. 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. The most popular areas of the park 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.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Olympic National Park into what it is today.
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, extractive industry in the Pacific Northwest was on the rise, particularly in regards to the harvesting of timber, which began heavily 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....
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 ~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.
Essential Information
Best Time to Visit
Year Roundmost 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....
Getting There
Multiple OptionsPort 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. 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....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
By car is the most practical way to get around. US-101 makes a loop of the Olympic Peninsula, and is the only road that connects different areas of the park. US-101 enters the park boundaries only for brief stretches; most access is from spur roads leading into the park. The best way to see the park is to "do the 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.
Where to Stay
There are four lodging options located within the park: Outside of the park, the following communities have lodging options: Olympic has 16 NPS-operated campgrounds. Concession-operated RV parks are in the park at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and Log Cabin Resort on Lake Crescent. 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 in the chart below. All campsites are first-come, first-served, except for Kalaloch, Hoh, Mora, and Sol Duc. 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. 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.
Money & Budget
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. There are four lodging options located within the park: Outside of the park, the following communities have lodging options: Olympic has 16 NPS-operated campgrounds. Concession-operated RV parks are in the park at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and Log Cabin Resort on Lake Crescent. 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 in the chart below. All campsites are first-come, first-served, except for Kalaloch, Hoh, Mora, and Sol Duc.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
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: 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.