At a glance
With its incredible range of precipitation and elevation, diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Encompassing nearly a million acres, the park protects a vast wilderness, thousands of years of human history, and several distinctly different ecosystems, including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline.
Come explore!
Things to do: Astronomy · Stargazing · Biking · Road Biking · Boating · Camping · Backcountry Camping · Car or Front Country Camping · Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use) · Group Camping · RV Camping · Climbing · Mountain Climbing · Fishing
ParkAtlas, maintained by Stellaroos, combines its park and trail dataset with public information from the National Park Service. NPS data snapshot retrieved . Fees, access, and conditions can change; verify current details with NPS before traveling.
Popular trails
Curated routes with approximate round-trip distance. Tap one to log it in the app.In the app, tap one to log it.
Camping
Approximately 900 campsites across the park's campgrounds. Reservations are strongly recommended in peak season (June – September).
Best time to visit
Peak season: June – September. The park is open year-round, though some roads and facilities close or run reduced hours in winter.
Summers tend to be fair and warm, with high temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees F. July, August and September are the driest months, with heavier precipitation during the rest of the year. While winters are mild at lower elevation, snowfall can be heavy in the mountains. It is common for different weather conditions to exist within the park at the same time.
At any time of year, visitors should come prepared for a variety of conditions.
Pack for Olympic
Four things worth having for wind, spray, and wet rock. From the full gear list; links support ParkAtlas.
Marmot PreCip rain shell
Afternoon thunderstorms are a feature of the mountain West, not a bug.
See on Amazon →
Salomon Speedcross trail runners
Grippy on slickrock and mud, light enough to forget about. I hike in these more than boots.
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Darn Tough ultralight socks
No blisters, no smell, and a lifetime guarantee they actually honor.
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Anker portable charger
Offline maps and photos eat batteries faster than you'd think.
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Entrance fees
- Entrance - Private Vehicle — Valid for seven consecutive days. Applies to private, non-commercial vehicles (15 passenger capacity or less). The pass covers all vehicle occupants.$30
- Entrance - Motorcycle — Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.$25
- Entrance - Per Person — Valid for seven consecutive days. This fee admits one person without a vehicle, including hikers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Individuals fifteen years or younger are admitted free of charge.$15
- Commercial Entrance - Van — A commercial tour is defined as persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced or sold for leisure recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provisions of the service.$75
- Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus — A commercial tour is defined as persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced or sold for leisure recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provisions of the service.$100
Annual Entrance - Park: $55. An America the Beautiful pass ($80/yr) covers every national park.
Getting there
Nearest city: Seattle, WA. Park center: 47.970°, -123.500°.
You can reach Olympic National Park via the I-5 corridor or by any one of the quieter state roadways. Once you arrive on the Olympic Peninsula connect to Hwy 101 to reach any destinations in and around Olympic National Park. From Olympia: take I-5 to Hwy 101 From Tacoma: take State Route 16 to Bremerton; take State Route 3 north from Bremerton to State Route 104.
From Washington/Oregon Coast connect to Hwy 101 in Aberdeen.
Coming from a big city? See every park near Seattle or Portland.
Common questions
How much does it cost to visit Olympic National Park?
Entrance - Private Vehicle: $30. Entrance - Motorcycle: $25. Entrance - Per Person: $15.
When is the best time to visit Olympic?
Peak season is June – September. The park is open year-round, with some roads and facilities on reduced winter schedules. Summers tend to be fair and warm, with high temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees F. July, August and September are the driest months, with heavier precipitation during the rest of the year. While winters are mild at lower elevation, snowfall can be heavy in the mountains. It is common for different weather conditions to exist within the park at the same time.
Can you camp in Olympic National Park?
Yes — about 900 campsites across the park's campgrounds. Reserve ahead in peak season.
What is the closest city to Olympic National Park?
Seattle, WA is the nearest major city. You can reach Olympic National Park via the I-5 corridor or by any one of the quieter state roadways. Once you arrive on the Olympic Peninsula connect to Hwy 101 to reach any destinations in and around Olympic National Park. From Olympia: take I-5 to Hwy 101 From Tacoma: take State Route 16 to Bremerton; take State Route 3 north from Bremerton to State Route 104.
What are the best hikes in Olympic?
Popular trails include Hurricane Ridge Trail (3.0 mi), Hoh Rain Forest Loop (0.8 mi), Sol Duc Falls Trail (1.6 mi), Quinault Rain Forest Loop (0.4 mi). The park has roughly 611 named trails.
Plan your trip
The practical bits, so more of the weekend goes to the trail.