With the regular morning fog lifting off the coast, come here for memorable beach walks ending at the iconic tree. The Sitka spruce tree is on full display, roots and all, providing an insight into how nature adapts in harsh environments. The peninsula creates a variety of unique landscapes and ecosystems that make up the Olympic National Park. This makes the park a highlight for those who want to experience a variety all in one outing.

• The Olympic range and mountain ridges are usually snow-capped and topped with large glaciers.
• With the mountains in the middle of the Olympic National Park soaring to great heights, the only way through is around.
• These notables met in the Olympic wilderness while exploring, and subsequently combined their political efforts to have the area placed within some protected status.
• Drift material often comes from a considerable distance; the Columbia River formerly contributed huge amounts to the Northwest Pacific coasts.

How Much Time Do You Need in Olympic National Park?

Covering 9.2 miles, this loop can be completed in a single day. However, there are campgrounds along the coast offering amazing views to wake up to. Along the way, take your time to check out the tide pools, laze by the water, and admire the uninhibited sunset.

This is a bit off-the-beaten-path, but it’s worth the quick visit, if you like the idea of seeing something different than a hiking trail or waterfall. Hiking to the top of Mount Storm King is one of the best things to do in Olympic National Park. The walk to Marymere Falls, discussed next, also starts at Lake Crescent.

Home to six of the tallest trees on earth, the Quinault Rain Forest is a land of giants. However, you will be able to spot the world’s largest Sitka spruce tree from the Big Spruce Trailhead. Wildlife includes many beloved species from the cute and cuddly to larger mammals and an abundance of predator species. The fun small wildlife includes chipmunks, muskrat, river otters, skunks, snowshoe hares, squirrel, and weasels.

What to Do in Olympic

• If you only have time for one beach stroll, we recommend Rialto Beach and the walk to Hole-in-the-Wall.
• At Olympic National Park, the roads form a loop around the perimeter of the peninsula, with short access roads that cut towards the center of the park.
• Shi Shi Beach is great as a long day hike or as an overnight camping experience.
• Below the renowned Hoh Rain Forest and along the edge of Lake Quinalt – come to the Quinault Rain Forest to spot ancient spruce trees and beautiful waterfalls.
• After completing an exceptionally scenic drive to the height of 5200ft, you will be granted amazing views over the snow-capped Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The alpine areas are captivated through the Olympic Mountains toward the center of the national park. Hurricane Ridge is one of the most aesthetically majestic views of mountains. The Olympic range and mountain ridges are usually snow-capped and topped with large glaciers. This means huge amounts of rainfall in the rainforests and snow in the alpine regions. Hurricane Ridge is usually open, making this part of the park a great place to visit if you like cross country skiing, tubing, or snow shoeing. Mount Ellinor is one of the tallest mountains on the eastern side of Olympic National Park.

Mount Olympus receives a large amount of snow and consequently has the greatest glaciation of any non-volcanic peak in the contiguous United States outside of the North Cascades. It has several glaciers, the largest of which is Hoh Glacier at 3.06 miles (4.93 km) in length. In the east, the range becomes much drier due to the rain shadow of the western mountains; the eastern mountains include numerous high peaks and craggy ridges. The tallest summit in the eastern Olympics is Mount Deception, at 7,788 feet (2,374 m).

This park is located on the Olympic Peninsula, a region that home to numerous ecosystems. The smaller coastal portion of the park is separated from the larger, inland portion. President Franklin D. Roosevelt originally had supported connecting them with a continuous strip of parkland. Olympic National Park has fewer amenities than some of the other parks in the US, especially when it comes to supplies. Along the Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive, you’ll have better access to pin up casino promo code food and gear for your adventures to more remote areas.

More interested in mountaineering and learning how to summit the peaks of the Olympics? Consider participating in one of our fundraising climbs through Climb for a Cause, like Lauren. Find helpful information about the parks, historical sites, national landmarks, and other federally owned areas at the National Park Service WA Index. For snow depth at Hurricane Ridge and other current conditions, check the park’s weather page. If you can, plan on spending 5 to 7 days in Olympic National Park to fully explore all of the different regions. Visiting the Hoh Rainforest is one of the best things to do in Olympic National Park.

Hoh and Quinault Rainforests are different from the traditional rainforest comprised of coniferous trees. These trees include Coast Douglas-fir, Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock, and Western redcedar. You can volunteer your time, purchase a national park license plate, donate to support priority park projects — the options are practically endless!

When is the Best Time to Visit Olympic National Park?

The Hurricane Ridge Winter Access Coalition is a community effort to restore seven-day-a-week access via the Hurricane Ridge Road (the only park road accessing alpine terrain in winter). The visitor center has an information desk to gather up-to-date information on trail closings, weather, and campgrounds. This is also the place to pick up backcountry camping permits and bear canisters for the epic hike you’ve planned. Aside from ticking the boxes, there are nature exhibits to explore, including insights into the environment and native wildlife. Better yet, check out the theater and enjoy a free movie on Olympic National Park.

Providing visitors with hot springs, rivers, and waterfalls, the Sol Duc Valley is one of the most picturesque parts of Olympic National Park. Offering a variety of short and long hikes, you can enjoy the best of all three without extensive hiking experience. This trail is an easy 1.1-mile (1.77 km) loop trail that circles around the Hoh Rainforest with an abundance of ferns, green moss, and spectacular trees.

It is located at the point where the Pacific Ocean meets the Strait of Juan de Fuca. When exploring this part of the park, the best place to stay is at the Kalaloch Lodge or in the town of Forks. Wa.gov is the official website of Washington State, with easy access to online state services, government agencies and helpful guides to get things done.

Whether you’re arriving from Seattle or traveling from further afield, check in here before heading into the park. Beginning in Port Angeles, the loop passes the majority of attractions and things to do in Olympic National Park. After taking you by a connection to the amazing Hurricane Ridge, the drive descends towards the Sol Duc Valley. From there, enjoy impeccable scenery on your way to Forks, with easy access to the coastline. Olympic National Forest has over 270 miles of trails, with 20 campgrounds to choose from. Of the forest’s many treks, eight of them are wheelchair accessible, including the half-mile Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail and the Brown Creek Nature Trail around a beaver pond.