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Olympic National Park covers much of the Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington and protects three very different environments: glaciated mountains, temperate rain forests and a long, wild stretch of Pacific coastline. The peninsula's isolation has produced plants and animals found nowhere else, and the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. Its size and layout mean that no road crosses the interior, so visitors circle the park on Highway 101.
From Port Angeles, a winding road climbs to Hurricane Ridge, where subalpine meadows look out over the Olympic Mountains, and the trail to Hurricane Hill gains even broader views. West of town, Lake Crescent is a deep, clear glacial lake, and short trails lead to Marymere Falls or steeply up Mount Storm King. The Sol Duc Valley offers an old-growth forest walk to Sol Duc Falls. On the western side, the Hoh Rain Forest is draped in moss and ferns, and Lake Quinault has its own rain forest trails and historic lodge.
The coast is wild and rocky, with sea stacks, tide pools and driftwood. Ruby Beach and the Kalaloch area, home to the Tree of Life clinging above an eroded bank, are easy to reach from the highway, and Second Beach near La Push requires a short forest hike. Rain is frequent outside summer, so layers help.
WiserMap travel guideOlympic National Park Washington Rain Forest and BeachesPlan Olympic National Park: Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, Sol Duc Falls, the Hoh Rain Forest, Ruby Beach and Lake Quinault, with seasons, routes and tips.Read the guide
A mountain area reached by a winding road from Port Angeles, with sweeping views of the snowy Olympic Mountains and, on clear days, across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Summer meadows fill with wildflowers, and deer are common. Services are limited after the 2023 lodge fire, so bring food and check road hours first.
A popular paved trail at the end of the Hurricane Ridge road that climbs about 1.6 miles each way to a summit with views in every direction, from Mount Olympus to the sea. Olympic marmots often whistle from the meadows along the way. Go early on a clear summer morning to avoid crowds and haze.
From the Storm King Ranger Station near Lake Crescent, an easy forest trail of under two miles round trip leads to Marymere Falls, a tall waterfall in a mossy grotto. A side trail climbs very steeply up Mount Storm King to views over the lake. The last section uses ropes and is only for confident hikers.
An easy trail of a little over a mile and a half round trip through old-growth forest leads to Sol Duc Falls, where the river splits into several streams and plunges into a narrow canyon. A footbridge gives a good view. Nearby, the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort has mineral pools open to day visitors in season.
In the remote northwest of the park, boardwalk trails lead from Lake Ozette through forest to the coast at Cape Alava, the westernmost point of the contiguous United States, and to Sand Point. A loop of about nine miles links them along the beach, passing the Wedding Rocks petroglyphs. The boardwalks are slippery when wet.
A deep, glacier-carved lake with strikingly clear blue water, surrounded by forested mountains on the north side of the park. The historic Lake Crescent Lodge rents kayaks and paddleboards, and the Spruce Railroad Trail follows the north shore. Paddle in the morning, when the water is usually calmest.
A lake in the southwest corner of the park surrounded by the Quinault Rain Forest, with the historic Lake Quinault Lodge on its shore. Short trails lead through giant trees, including a huge Sitka spruce near the lake, and a scenic loop road circles the valley. It is a good stop on the way along the coast.
One of the finest temperate rain forests in the world, where huge Sitka spruce and maple trees are draped in moss and ferns. The short Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature trails start at the visitor center, and Roosevelt elk often graze nearby. Arrive early in summer, as long lines form at the entrance station.
A dramatic beach on the park's Pacific coast with tall sea stacks, piles of driftwood logs and smooth stones, reached by a short trail from Highway 101. Abbey Island sits just offshore, and tide pools appear at low tide. Check tide times, wear sturdy shoes and stay off the logs when waves are high.
Kalaloch has a lodge, campground and long sandy beaches on a bluff above the Pacific. Nearby, the Tree of Life is a Sitka spruce that clings to the edge of an eroded gully, its roots exposed in the air above a small cave. Visit at sunset, and walk down to the beach only on the marked paths.
A short forest trail of under a mile near the Quileute village of La Push leads down to a wide beach with sea stacks, a natural arch and tide pools. It is one of the most scenic beaches on the coast and is lovely at sunset. Camping on the beach needs a wilderness permit, and you should climb over logs with care.
A rugged beach near Mora, north of La Push, with crashing surf, sea stacks and huge driftwood logs. Walk about a mile and a half north along the shore to Hole-in-the-Wall, a sea arch you can pass through at low tide, with tide pools full of anemones and sea stars. Always check a tide table before going.
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