OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
“On the western side of Washington territory, facing the restless ocean and defying its angry waves with a rockbound coast, stands the Olympic range of mountains…
…The mountains seem to rise from the edge of the water, on both sides, in steep ascent to the line of perpetual snow, as if nature had designed to shut up this spot for her safe retreat forever.”
— EUGENE SEMPLE, GOVERNOR OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY 1888 (FULL ACCOUNT HERE)
Welcome to the Ultimate Olympic Trip Planning Guide
Covering a large portion of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park is a land of enchantment and diversity.
From the pristine beaches to the snowy mountaintops (with rain forests in between), people have always been drawn to the mystery of this area, and now it’s your turn to experience this spectacular place — it’s your turn to be a part of its story.
OLYMPIC AT-A-GLANCE
Location: Washington
What It’s Famous For: Snowy mountains, rugged coastline, temperate rain forests, and waterfalls.
Highest Elevation You Can Reach by Road: 6,150 feet above sea level (Obstruction Point).
Date Established: June 29, 1938 — this is national park #23.
Size: 922,651 acres — this is a large and complex national park.
Crowd Levels: High, with around 2.5 million visitors each year.
COMMON OLYMPIC TRIP PLANNING QUESTIONS
Where is Olympic, and how do I get there?
Olympic National Park is located on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. It is approximately 2.5 hours from Seattle, 3 hours from Portland, and 1.75 hours from Tacoma.
I suggest flying into Seattle. In this article, I share details about the best airports, roads, and ferries in the area.
Is Olympic open year-round?
Olympic NP is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year — but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to do everything you’re hoping to do.
Learn more about the weather, hours, and common closures that may affect your trip to the park.
How many days should I spend at Olympic?
You’ll want 3-4 days to explore the best parts of Olympic National Park, but you can easily spend a week or two in Washington’s national parks.
See my recommendations for the amount of time to spend in the park, as well as how to split your time between multiple parks.
When is the best time to visit Olympic?
If you’re just getting started with your Olympic trip planning but are unsure of the best time to go, I’ve got you covered!
Here are my suggestions if you’re hoping to:
- Beat the crowds: September
- Travel during the summer: July
- See Wildlife: September
- Go backpacking: July or August
- Save money: May or October
- Have a unique adventure: January
This article provides a month-by-month breakdown of what to expect at Olympic — including information on weather, closures, crowds, and which points of interest will be open.
THINGS TO DO AT OLYMPIC
10 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit
- Rialto Beach
- Hurricane Hill Trail
- Lake Crescent
- Ruby Beach
- Madison Falls
- Hall of Mosses
- Sol Duc Falls
- High Ridge Trail
- Kalaloch Beach 4
- Marymere Falls
This popular article outlines each can’t-miss spot at Olympic in great detail. You’ll learn about the important things you need to know about each stop, and driving directions are included.
The Best Things to Do at Olympic:
IF YOU LOVE RANGER PROGRAMS
- Lake Crescent Boat Tour
- Night Sky Program
- Evening programs
IN WINTER
- Skiing
- Tubing
- Hoh Rain Forest
IF YOU DON’T WANT TO HIKE
- Scenic Drives
- Fishing
- Tidepooling
IN A WHEELCHAIR
- Madison Falls
- Spruce Railroad Trail
- Scenic Drives
This massive list of things to do at Olympic will cover the travel needs of your entire group.
In addition to the items mentioned above, it also includes high-adventure activities, things to do with a dog, biking, things to do with kids, best hikes, and more. There’s something for everyone!
The Best Easy Hikes
Looking for good beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, or wheelchair-friendly trail options? This list details the best easy hikes in Olympic.
Dog-friendly Activities
Learn about all the places you can bring your dog in Olympic.
OLYMPIC ITINERARY
Do you LOVE to have a plan while traveling?
You’ve probably been spending a lot of time and money to make your trip possible. But don’t forget about the most important part — the day-to-day details!
When you get to Olympic, will you have all the information you need to confidently navigate around the park and avoid the crowds?
This hour-by-hour itinerary will ensure you see the best of Olympic — no more research needed!
LODGING AT OLYMPIC
Where Should I Stay?
This article provides information on the gateway towns and lodging options in the Olympic area.
All About Camping
Learn all about the campgrounds in Olympic and how to snag a site.
GETTING AROUND OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
Cars
You can drive to all viewpoint and trailhead parking areas with your own car. If you’d like some help planning your day so that you can see everything in the area, take a look at this itinerary.
Oversized Vehicles
The main roads through Olympic National Park are typically fine for RVs and larger vehicles, but be aware that Olympic is a very busy place, and it can be challenging to find parking for any type of vehicle during peak season.
Olympic has several small roads that travel to more remote areas of the park. Most of these roads are not RV-friendly, so you’ll want to check the road status before attempting your drive.
Clallam Transit runs buses throughout the Olympic Peninsula, including up to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic, so that might be a nice option if you don’t want to drive a large vehicle through the park.
Planning a trip to Olympic can be overwhelming.
How do you make a solid plan if you’ve never been to the parks before? How do you keep everyone in your group excited and engaged?
You can spend hours on the internet searching for things to do, but you still won’t find the insider tips and first-hand knowledge that I’ve gained from working as a park ranger.
If you’re hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people, check out this Olympic Itinerary.
You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Thanks for using the Ultimate Olympic Trip Planning Guide
You may also be interested in one of these nearby national parks:
Mount Rainier
North Cascades
Crater Lake
Disclosure: This Olympic Trip Planning Guide may contain affiliate links, which means that (at no extra cost to you) I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase. I don’t recommend anything that I don’t personally love and use myself! Thanks for your support. — Ash