Olympic National Park packs three completely different ecosystems into one park: glacier-capped mountains, temperate rainforest, and 73 miles of wild Pacific coastline. After spending weeks living in the park to film our documentary and returning dozens of times since (I even proposed to my wife on Hurricane Ridge), I know this place inside and out. Most Olympic guides start with Hurricane Ridge, but I think that’s backwards — the wildest coastline in the lower 48 is right here, and most visitors never see it.
Things to Know Before Visiting Olympic National Park
- Here’s my favorite Olympic guidebook, map, & eco-friendly sunscreen.
- The best time to visit Olympic National Park is during the summer when temperatures are warm, and the wildflower meadows are exploding with incredible colors. For peak wildflower viewing I recommend the first couple of weeks in August.
- Here’s my favorite Olympic National Park T-Shirt
Things to Do at Olympic National Park
Table of Contents: Best Things to Do at Olympic National Park
Table of Contents: Best Things to Do at Olympic National Park
- Things to Know Before Visiting Olympic National Park
- Things to Do at Olympic National Park
- 1. Hike the Obstruction Point Trail
- 2. Explore Hurricane Ridge
- 3. Visit the Hoh Rain Forest
- 4. Deer Park
- 5. Summit of Blue Mountain
- 6. Visit Lake Crescent
- 7. See Sol Duc Falls
- 8. Hike Mount Storm King
- 9. Explore Rialto Beach, Split Rock, & Hole In The Wall
- 10. Hike the Marymere Falls Trail
- 11. Check Out Kalaloch Beach
- 12. Soak in the Starry Night Skies
- 13. Spot the Beautiful Roosevelt Elk
- 14. Venture Out to Ozette Lake
- 15. Discover Olympic’s Staircase Region
- 16. Go Wildflower Peeping
- 17. Whale Watching
- Camping at Olympic National Park
- Things to Do Near Olympic National Park
- List of Things to Do at Olympic National Park
- Map of the Best Things to Do at Olympic National Park
Visiting Olympic National Park? Here’s my favorite hotel.
1. Hike the Obstruction Point Trail
Location: Northern
In terms of the best things to do in Olympic National Park, the Obstruction Point Trail is at the top of my list. I still remember my first time hiking this trail and being in constant disbelief from the unimaginable scenery.
Epic mountain peaks stretch out in every direction, isolated snow patches, retreating glaciers, Olympic marmots, stunning alpine meadows, turquoise glacial ponds, tranquil mountain lakes, and endless panoramic views make this a truly magical place. If there’s only one trail you hike in Olympic National Park, make it Obstruction Point – you won’t regret it.
To get to the trailhead, drive up to the top of Hurricane Ridge road and then turn left at the top for Obstruction Point.
Length: 14 miles (don’t let that scare you – just hike it for a couple of miles to witness scenes like the one featured in the photo above)
NOTE: This trail is open seasonally starting in June into October.
2. Explore Hurricane Ridge
Location: Northern
If you’re looking to get amazing views without having to hike for it, Hurricane Ridge is the place for you. At 6,772 feet in elevation Hurricane Ridge is one of the most popular things to do in Olympic National Park for a reason. Call me biased but Hurricane Ridge is one of my personal favorite places in the world as I got engaged here in the snow many moons ago.
On a clear day, you’ll have an unparalleled view of the surrounding ridges, peaks, and valleys (all the way into Canada). However, if you are visiting in the fall or spring, you’ll need to be mindful of the snow. Popular activities up here include hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, picnicking, and enjoying the views. I recommend getting up here early (to beat the crowds) and hiking the Hurricane Hill trail.
To get to Hurricane Ridge, you’ll need to follow the 18 mile Hurricane Ridge Road to the top of the ridge (about 45 minutes from the visitor center at the bottom).
3. Visit the Hoh Rain Forest
Location: Western
Nestled along the Hoh River the quietest place in North America as well as the largest temperate rain forest in the conterminous United States, no list of things to do in Olympic National Park is complete without mentioning the Hoh Rain Forest.
Each year the Hoh Rain Forest receives a staggering 140 inches of rainfall, making it one of the wettest places in the U.S. as well. Here you’ll have your choice of hiking trails to choose from, each bursting with seemingly alien flora.
From massive conifers like Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock, Douglas Fir, and Western Red Cedar to deciduous trees such as Red Alder, Black Cottonwood, Big Leaf Maple, and Vine Maple, all is adorned with varying layers of green moss. Plus, if you’re quiet enough, you might stumble across a roaming herd of Roosevelt Elk.
The Hall of Mosses is the trail I recommend to first-timers as a quick .8 mile loop that gives you a great preview of what this place is all about. If you finish that one and are hungry for more, pop onto the 1.2 mile Spruces Nature Trail loop. Be sure to check out the visitor center while you’re here for more information on the rainforest ecosystem.
4. Deer Park
Location: Northern side
I’ll never forget my first time up to Deer Park. Situated at 5,400 feet what first struck me was the magnificent mountain splendor of the views. The second thing that struck me in a more literal sense was the large and innumerable flies. If you can get used to their constant presence, the lack of crowds alone makes this one of the top things to do in Olympic National Park.
The 18 mile gravel road up to the parking area (only the last 9 miles are gravel) along with its location just far away enough from Hurricane Ridge weeds out most would-be visitors making for a really lovely experience full of solitude.
I highly recommend the campground here (Deer Park Campground) which has 14 sites with fire pits, picnic tables, and access to pit-toilets. Worth noting, Deer Park is the only high-elevation campground in the park that’s drivable. If you’re into stargazing (more on that below), a night at Deer Park should be at the top of your list of things to do in Olympic National Park.
5. Summit of Blue Mountain
While we’re talking about Deer Park I’ve got to mention the summit of Blue Mountain which is another one of my personal favorite things to do in Olympic National Park. From Deer Park, you can easily access the summit of Blue Mountain (via a 3 minute drive or 15 minute walk) which features some of the best views in Olympic National Park. On a clear day you can see clear across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to British Columbia.
The trail up to Blue Mountain is short albeit a bit steep and a must if you’ve made the trek. In the summer, the meadows near the top are carpeted in wildflowers which adds an extra layer of beauty to the scene. Sunsets up here are epic and totally worthwhile but if you plan on driving back down to Port Angeles afterward be extra careful and drive slowly.
- Time: 30 – 45 minutes
- Length: .5 miles round trip
NOTE: Getting to the trailhead requires a long drive up a gravel road from Port Angeles. Be sure to drive slow as there are no guard rails on the drive. Once at the top drive past the campground and up to the trailhead parking lot.
6. Visit Lake Crescent
Location: Northwestern Corner
I still recall seeing the water at Lake Crescent for the first time and just being in awe of the color. It was one of those perfect days where the mirror reflections of the lake looked like glass. This massive glacially carved lake is the second deepest in Washington (624ft maximum depth) with an average depth of 300 feet. Located at the northern edge of the park, Lake Crescent has several access points including 10 spectacular miles of road that abut it along Highway 101.
There’s all sorts of recreational activities available at Lake Crescent including kayaking, swimming (it’s cold!), fishing, canoeing, hiking, camping, and more. There’s a beautiful lodge at the eastern edge that’s makes for one of those once in a lifetime sort of trips.
There’s a special treat in this lake for anglers in the form of the rare Crescenti and Beardslee trout. This lake is the place where the Beardslee is found due to the lake’s unique formation. According to the NPS, about 7,000 years ago a massive landslide separated Lake Crescent from Lake Sutherland isolating the trout in this lake which have adapted differently.
7. See Sol Duc Falls
Location: Western
While there’s no shortage of beauty spots at Olympic National Park, Sol Duc Falls seems to be right at the top of the list for a lot of folks as the park’s most beautiful waterfall (sorry Marymere). This triple falls is relatively easy to access located at the end of an easy 1.6 mile out and back trail.
- Length: 1.6 miles round trip
- Time: 1-2 hours
As one of the most popular things to do in Olympic National Park Sol Duc Falls sees a lot of visitors, so be prepared to encounter a significant number of folks on the trail. Even so, mornings (especially weekday mornings) are the best time to visit as the crowds tend to be lesser then.
8. Hike Mount Storm King
Location: Northwestern corner
Should you be in the mood for a bit of adventure during your visit to Olympic National Park, then Mount Storm King will have just what you’re looking for. This is a fairly challenging hike with no small amount of elevation gain so probably not one of the best things to do in Olympic National Park with kids or folks with mobility issues.
- Distance: 4 miles
- Elevation gain: 2,100 feet
- Time required: 4-6 hours
Because of its high elevation points and sometimes snow-covered trails, it’s a good idea to check trail conditions prior to starting the hike. Those who are up for the challenge will be rewarded with some of the most spectacular views of Lake Crescent below and the surrounding mountain ranges on the peninsula. The trail is 4.1 miles long with about 2,000 feet of elevation gain so come prepared for a bit of a challenge getting to the top!
9. Explore Rialto Beach, Split Rock, & Hole In The Wall
Location: Northwestern Corner
Whenever I think of the Washington coast my mind immediately envisions Rialto Beach. Often coated in varying degrees of a pretty dense fog with a rocky shoreline, massive logs piled up all over the place, monumental rock formations looming just offshore, and scraggy bald eagles in the trees overhead, those visiting will immediately recognize that Rialto Beach is special.
The two most popular attractions here are the giant pair of offshore rocks known as “Split Rock” and “Hole in the Wall”, a small cave accessible during low tide. Once at Rialto Beach, you can get to the Hole In The Wall & Split Rock by walking north on the coastline. Split Rock refers to two massive rock outcroppings that you’ll see in the distance as soon as you reach the beach. Hole in the Wall is a rock formation with a hole in its middle that has grown to become one of the folks favorite things to do in this part of Olympic National Park.
NOTE: Getting to Hole in the Wall on foot is only possible during low tide.
10. Hike the Marymere Falls Trail
Location: Northwestern corner
If you’re into waterfalls (who isn’t?) then Marymemere Falls is a great addition to your list of things to do in Olympic National Park. A relatively easy 1.8-mile (round trip) trail crosses two creeks via wooden bridges (a highlight for sure) before ending up at the impressive 90-foot Marymere Falls. This is a great activity for families with kids as the trail isn’t too tough and the payoff is great.
The trailhead is located approximately one mile from the Storm King Ranger Station on Lake Crescent.
11. Check Out Kalaloch Beach
Location: Western side of Olympic
With over 73 miles of spectacular rugged coastline, spending a day at Kalaloch Beach is one of the most popular things to do at Olympic National Park. If you’re expecting white sands and warm temperatures then you’ll be in for a bit of an awakening. Similar to Rialto Beach, you’ll find massive drift logs, rock-filled shores, bald eagles, fog, and rocky islands at Kalaloch.
One popular attraction here is the Kalaloch Tree Of Life, a Giant Sitka Spruce estimated to be hundreds of years old (some say over a thousand!). The tree grows out the side of a small cliff on the beach, allowing people to walk down and under it, among the tree’s roots. Look but don’t touch!
12. Soak in the Starry Night Skies
Location: Hurricane Ridge, Obstruction Point & Deer Park
One of the best things to do in Olympic National Park for night sky lovers and astrophotographers is to go stargazing at Hurricane Ridge. Olympic is home to some of the most fantastic stargazing in the pacific northwest (on clear nights) and driving up to Hurricane Ridge is your best bet to get a glimpse of the celestial show above. Even some nights when it’s cloudy in Port Angeles, a 45 minute drive up Hurricane Ridge Road will take you through the cloud layer to prime stargazing.
I have witnessed some absolutely breathtaking night skies and milky way scenes from Hurricane Ridge and elsewhere in the park (like Deer Park). The milky way is most visible primarily during the summer months of July and August.
13. Spot the Beautiful Roosevelt Elk
Location: Mostly the Western side of Olympic
Olympic National Park is home to some of the most impressive herds of Roosevelt Elk in America. These elk, named in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt, are the largest elk subspecies residing in North America, some weighing over a thousand pounds.
Elk-spotting is one of the most awesome things to do in Olympic National Park, so don’t miss out. You can spot these majestic ungulates meandering within Hoh Rain Forest as well as the beaches running along the peninsula.
14. Venture Out to Ozette Lake
Location: Northwestern Corner
The Ozette region of Olympic National Park combines the majesty of the old-growth forests with the rugged beauty of the Olympic Coastline. This is another one of the great things to do at Olympic National Park for folks looking to escape the crowds. Ozette has the distinction of being the largest “unaltered” lake in the state of Washington with a surface area of nearly 8,000 acres.
Ozette Lake is a great recreation hub offering all sorts of activities including hiking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, wildlife viewing (whales!), and more. There’s a campground at Ozette if you’re looking for an overnight experience. Given it’s remote proximity (at least an hour from the rest of the park) to the other parts of the park I highly recommend grabbing a campsite for the night!
15. Discover Olympic’s Staircase Region
Location: Southeast Corner
Staircase is a lesser-visited area situated in the southeastern corner of Olympic National Park full of massive old growth trees at the north end of Lake Cushman. This is a great area to bookmark for people looking for more secluded and intimate things to do in Olympic National Park. Here you’ll find stunning old growth forests full of massive conifers along with some beautiful hiking trails (and the really cool Skokomish River Suspension bridge).
I recommend the Rapids Loop Trail for first-timers as an easy 2-mile loop that gently weaves through the old-growth forest and crosses the North Fork of the Skokomish River twice. There’s a campground at Staircase with 49 sites for folks looking to camp out here (I highly recommend it). As with most places in Olympic, be sure to come prepared with proper rain gear as it rains here constantly. It took me a soaked tent to learn this the hard way.
16. Go Wildflower Peeping
Location: Throughout the park
The state of Washington has some of the best places on the planet to see wildflowers. As such, one of my personal favorite things to do in Olympic National Park during summer is to go wildflower peeping. In late July and August incredible displays of wildflowers erupt all over the park providing a veritable feast for the eyes.
While peak wildflower viewing season varies from year to year, the first week of August is nearly a guarantee to have great displays. Late July is usually pretty great as well but by late August they’re mostly gone. Some of the best places to view wildflowers at Olympic National Park are:
- Deer Park
- Hurricane Ridge
- Staircase
If you’re a true wildflower nut (like me) be sure to check out the best places in the world to view wildflowers.
17. Whale Watching
Location: Western (coastal) side
Most people are surprised to learn that whale watching can be included in their list of things to do in Olympic National Park. You can start at the Whale Trail station on Kalaloch Beach, which will provide you with all the information you need to get to the best whale-spotting trails and hot spots.
If you’ve got sharp eyes then that may be all you require to spot these undersea creatures, but most people choose to come out with a set of binoculars. If you don’t have a pair on you then you can rent some at the ranger station. If you want to get a bit closer to the action, you can also go on whale-watching boat tours from Port Angeles.
Camping at Olympic National Park
I always say it doesn’t really feel like I’m “in it” until the tent is pitched and the fire is going which makes camping one of the most essential things to do in Olympic National Park. The hardest aspect of camping here is choosing which campground to settle down in. With 16 campgrounds you’ll find what you’re looking for. My favorites are:
- Queets
- Heart O’ the Hills
- Deer Park
- Crescent Lake
- Mora
- Kalaloch
- Staircase
To this day, Queets is one of my favorite campgrounds in the entire national park system.
Things to Do Near Olympic National Park
Explore Port Angeles
Location: Northern
If you’re looking for a great place to start your journey, then a quick exploration of Port Angeles should be at the top of your list of things to do in Olympic National Park. This cute little town is the closest settlement to the park’s main entrance and has developed into a natural way-station for people about to dive into all that Olympic has to offer. Cozy coffee shops and quaint cafes are the name of the game here.
Explore Forks
Location: Northwestern corner
As we all know, vampires and the Pacific Northwest go hand-in-hand. Whether you consider yourself a Twilight fan or not (come on, there’s no shame in it), you can’t make a trip to Olympic National Park without encountering the franchise’s influence. With spots ranging from La Push Beach to Bella’s Trucks, there’s plenty here for Twilight fans to enjoy nerding out to.
Forks is the biggest town center on the peninsula’s West Side, so there’s a good chance you’ll be passing through. The town acts as a base of operations for many visitors due to its proximity to other attractions on the west side of Olympic National Park.
Watch the Award-Winning Olympic National Park Video
MTJP | OLYMPIC is a visually stunning journey through Olympic NP. This video is the culmination of a month spent backpacking through Olympic. We chose Olympic as our first of the More Than Just Parks short films due to its incredible diversity.
It is unlike any park on the planet offering glacial mountain peaks, old-growth rain forests, and over seventy miles of wilderness coast – all within a day’s drive. This production was filmed entirely in UHD 4K. We decided to shoot this film in Summer months during peak accessibility. During winter the road to Hurricane Ridge closes due to snow accumulation.
Olympic is one of three Washington State National Parks, the other two being North Cascades and Mount Rainier. Filming locations include: Hurricane Ridge, Obstruction Point, Hoh Rainforest, Quinalt Valley, Queets Valley, La Push, Ruby Beach, Crescent Lake, Staircase, Kalaloch, and more.
Visiting Olympic National Park – Directions & Location
There are a few popular ways to get to Olympic.
Closest Airport: SEA – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (distance – 131 miles from the Port Angeles entrance)
The fastest way to get to Olympic National Park is by plane, flying into Seattle’s Sea-Tac airport (unless you live in the Pacific Northwest, like me). Flights into Seattle usually aren’t terribly expensive as it’s a major Delta & international hub.
Alternatively you *could* fly into Portland (PDX) and drive up (4 hours) or fly into Vancouver, British Columbia (YVR) and drive down (5 hours).
Driving From Seattle
If you are driving from Seattle (city center or north of the city), getting to the park can be done one of two ways. Option one is driving through Seattle, Tacoma, and then around the Puget Sound which takes about 3.5 hours.
Olympic National Park Ferry From Seattle
Option two is taking the ferry from Seattle across the Puget Sound to the Olympic Penninsula. This route takes about the same amount of time as the drive around the sound but requires less driving. The ferry costs $15 for a standard vehicle each way.
List of Things to Do at Olympic National Park
- Obstruction Point
- Hurricane Ridge
- Hoh Rain Forest
- Deer Park & Blue Mountain
- Lake Crescent
- Storm King
- Rialto Beach
- Olympic Discover Trail
- Kalaloch Beach
- Camping
- Forks
- Port Angeles
- Sol Duc Falls
- Marymere Falls
- Whale Watching
- Stargazing
- Roosevelt Elk
- Lake Ozette
- Staircase
- Wildflowers
Map of the Best Things to Do at Olympic National Park
About the Folks Behind More Than Just Parks
I’m Will Pattiz, and along with my brother Jim, we’re collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes the Parks Brothers) and we absolutely LOVE the national parks.
I’ve spent my entire adult life exploring and filming America’s national parks and public lands. Along the way I’ve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, and the U.S. Forest Service for years creating films on important places and issues.
Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation.
Our work has been featured in leading publications all over the world and even some people outside of our immediate family call us experts on the national parks.
Tips for Visiting Olympic National Park
Permit Systems and Reservations
Check to see if the national park you’re visiting has a permit or reservation system in place before visiting. As parks become increasingly crowded more has to be done to safeguard them which means controlling the hundreds of millions of people who visit these places each year.
Popular national parks with reservation systems of some kind include Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion, Rocky Mountain, Glacier, Arches, Acadia, Denali, and more.
Want Less Crowds? Try a National Forest!
Try visiting a national forest while you’re on your trip to avoid the crowds. There are 155 national forests in America, many of which are equally as beautiful as the national parks they neighbor and only see a fraction of the visitors.
For example, try the Flathead National Forest next to Glacier National Park, the Bridger-Teton next to Grand Teton, and the Dixie which borders nearly all of the Utah National Parks.
Practice Safety, Seriously
National parks are amazing but wild places so it is essential to practice basic safety while visiting them. Every year people die while vacationing in national parks. This is easily avoided by:
- Sticking to trails
- Checking the weather before going out on a hike
- Maintaining a safe distance between wildlife which means at least 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from predators
- Avoid ledges with steep drop offs
Helpful Related Articles
- Olympic NP Guide: Comprehensive Guide to Olympic National Park
- Best Hikes Olympic NP: 9 Epic Olympic National Park Hikes
- Mount Storm King Hike: Hiking Mount Storm King (Honest Guide)
- Things to Do North Cascades: 20 Amazing Things to Do at North Cascades National Park
- Best Hikes North Cascades: 15 Epic Hikes in North Cascades National Park
- Best Hikes at Mount Rainier: 20 Best Hikes at Mount Rainier National Park
- Best Things to Do at Mount Rainier: 20 Epic Things to Do at Mount Rainier National Park
- Visiting Paradise Mount Rainier: 15 Reasons Paradise Mt Rainier is the Most Beautiful Place in America
- Things to Do Crater Lake: 20 Amazing Things to Do at Crater Lake National Park
- Mount Rainier Facts: 15+ Amazing Mount Rainier Facts (Interesting Trivia + Quick Facts)
- Washington National Parks: Washington’s National Parks Ranked Best in the World
- National Parks Rankings: ALL 63 US National Parks Ranked By Experts
- Most Visited National Parks: Top 10 Most Visited National Parks
- Least Visited National Parks: Top 10 Least Visited National Parks
- National Monuments Ranked: ALL 128 US National Monuments Ranked (Best to Worst)
What’s your favorite thing to do in Olympic National Park? I’m curious whether you’re team Hoh Rain Forest or team Hurricane Ridge — drop your pick in the comments below. And if you’ve found underrated I didn’t mention, I’d love to hear about it.
Personally, July and August are soooo over crowded at Olympic–the absolute best time to visit is the last two weeks of September into the first two weeks of October. The salmon are jumping in the rivers, the weather is spectacular, the crowds are gone and almost all of the wildlife is extremely active… And hotel stays are less expensive so you can afford the luxury places like Domaine Madeleine for less than the big hotels high summer rates.