Olympic National Park: Visitor Guide

Olympic National Park contains three distinct ecosystems within a single boundary: temperate rainforest (one of only four in the world), alpine meadows and glacier-capped peaks, and 73 miles of wild Pacific coastline. The park covers nearly 1 million acres on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and receives more than 12 feet of rainfall annually in some valleys — enough to sustain Sitka spruce trees more than 500 years old.

Entry Fees and Passes

Entry costs approximately $30 per vehicle as of 2026 (valid for seven days, covers all occupants). Motorcycles pay approximately $25; individuals on foot or bicycle pay approximately $15. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entry.

The park has multiple entry points across the peninsula; there is no single entrance gate. The visitor center in Port Angeles is the main hub. Fee stations are located at Hurricane Ridge, Hoh Rain Forest, Mora/Rialto Beach, and other key trailheads.

When to Visit

June through September: The driest and warmest months. Hurricane Ridge is snow-free; all park roads are open; coastal trails are accessible. The Olympic coastline can be foggy in June and July (marine layer) but generally clears by afternoon.

July–August: Peak season. Hurricane Ridge and the Hoh Rainforest are the busiest areas. Arrive before 9am for parking at Hurricane Ridge — the road is often full mid-morning on weekends and the NPS may institute a reservation system (check current status before visiting).

October–November: Fall colors in the lowland forests. Rainfall increases significantly. The park empties of tourists — excellent for solitude. Some high-elevation roads may close in October.

December–March: The Hoh Rainforest is accessible year-round and is extraordinarily atmospheric in winter rain. Hurricane Ridge often gets 30+ feet of snow and operates as a small ski and snowshoe area. Coastal storm-watching from Kalaloch and Ruby Beach is a draw. Many lodges reduce hours or close.

Getting There

From Seattle, WA (112 miles to Port Angeles via the Bainbridge Island ferry, approximately 2.5–3 hours total): The standard approach. Washington State Ferries run from Seattle’s Colman Dock to Bainbridge Island (35 minutes, approximately $9/person walk-on as of 2026; cars approximately $25–35). From Bainbridge, drive US-101 to Port Angeles. Alternatively, drive the full loop around Puget Sound (165 miles, approximately 3 hours) without a ferry.

From Olympia, WA (112 miles to the Hoh Rain Forest entrance, approximately 2.5 hours via US-101 N): The approach for the south and west sides of the park.

From Port Angeles: Most visitor services, ferry terminal, and the main Olympic National Park Visitor Center. Car rental from approximately $55/day. No public transit within the park — a car is essential.

Hurricane Ridge Road: 17 miles from Port Angeles to the ridge (5,242 ft). A reservation system may be in effect on summer weekends — check the NPS website before travel.

Must-See Trails and Attractions

Hoh Rain Forest Trails — The Hall of Mosses Trail (0.8 miles round trip, easy, 30–45 minutes) through ancient maple trees draped in thick club moss is the park’s most photographed image. The adjacent Hoh River Trail extends 17.4 miles one-way to Glacier Meadows (where the Blue Glacier of Mount Olympus is visible) — the classic multi-day backcountry route.

Hurricane Ridge — At 5,242 ft, this ridge gives views of the Olympic Mountains and, on clear days, Vancouver Island across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Hurricane Ridge Trail and meadow walks range from 0.5 to 3 miles round trip (easy to moderate). Olympic marmots and black-tailed deer are frequently seen.

Sol Duc Falls — 1.6 miles round trip (easy, 45 minutes) through old-growth forest to a powerful four-channel waterfall dropping into a narrow gorge. Among the most accessible waterfall walks in the park.

Rialto Beach and the Hole-in-the-Wall — Walk north from the Rialto Beach parking area along the wild coastline. Hole-in-the-Wall sea arch: 1.5 miles one-way at low tide, easy. Sea stacks, tide pools, and driftwood. Bring a tide table — sections are impassable at high tide.

Quinault Rain Forest Loop — 4-mile loop (easy, 2 hours) through old-growth Sitka spruce and Douglas fir in the Quinault Valley. The world’s largest recorded Sitka spruce (191 ft tall, 58 ft circumference) stands near the trailhead. Quieter than the Hoh.

High Divide–Bailey Range Loop — 20-mile loop (strenuous, 2–3 days) in the Seven Lakes Basin. Views of Mount Olympus and the Bailey Range. A classic backpacking circuit requiring a backcountry permit.

Permits

Day hiking requires no permit beyond park entry fees.

Backcountry camping requires a wilderness permit year-round. Approximately 60% of permits are available by advance reservation (opens 30 days in advance at recreation.gov), approximately $8 reservation fee + $8/person/night as of 2026. Remaining permits available walk-up from the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles or visitor centers near trailheads.

Coastal camping (beaches between the Hoh River and the Chilean Memorial) requires a specific coastal camping permit (same system as backcountry). Some coastal zones have fire restrictions — check current conditions.

Mount Olympus climbing permit: Required for any summit attempt above the Hoh River approach. Free, self-issued from the Wilderness Information Center. Technical glaciated route — experience and proper gear required.

Accommodation

In-park lodges:

Lake Crescent Lodge — 1916 lodge on the deep glacial Lake Crescent. Rooms from approximately $180/night; lakeside cabins from approximately $220/night. Open late April through early January. Book at olympicpeninsularesorts.com.
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort — Cabins around natural hot spring pools. Cabins from approximately $230/night. Open late March through October. Pool access approximately $16/person/day.
Kalaloch Lodge — Coastal bluff above the Pacific. Rooms from approximately $200/night; cabins from approximately $280/night. Open year-round. Book far ahead — it is the only coast-side in-park lodging.
Log Cabin Resort (Lake Crescent north shore) — Rustic cabins from approximately $100/night; lakefront units from approximately $180/night. Open May through September.

Campgrounds: 14 campgrounds in the park. Kalaloch (170 sites), Mora (94 sites), and Hoh (88 sites) accept reservations via recreation.gov, approximately $20–25/night. Others are first-come-first-served.

Port Angeles, WA — Main gateway city. Full range of hotels from approximately $90/night (budget motels) to approximately $200/night (boutique hotels). 17 miles from Hurricane Ridge, 90 miles from Hoh.

Forks, WA — On the west side of the park, near the Hoh. Budget motels from approximately $80/night. Note: Forks gained notoriety from the Twilight novels — parking is very good for selfies but also extremely full in summer.

Packing and Preparation

Rain gear is non-negotiable: The Hoh receives 140+ inches of rain annually. Even in July, rain is possible any day. Pack a waterproof jacket, waterproof pack cover, and gaiters for muddy trails.
Layers: Coastal and rainforest temperatures are mild (45–65°F year-round) but wind chill on Hurricane Ridge can be severe.
Tide tables: Any coastal walk requires checking tide tables. The Olympic coast has significant tidal range (up to 12 feet). Some headlands are only passable at low tide; being caught by rising tide against a headland is a genuine emergency risk. Free tide tables at the Wilderness Information Center.
Cell coverage: Very limited or absent in most of the park. Download offline maps before arriving.
Wildlife: Black bears are common throughout the park. Bear canisters are required in most backcountry zones. Cougars are present but rarely seen. Elk herds (Roosevelt elk, the largest in the world) are visible in the Hoh and Quinault valleys year-round.
Permits for the Hoh River backcountry fill fast in summer — apply on the first day the 30-day window opens if Mount Olympus is your target.