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Travel Guide For Visiting Olympic National Park
From where do you I even begin describing Olympic National Park?
Olympic National Park is located in the northwest of USA, in the state of Washington.
I did not imagine how magical it would be there when I planned my visit to the area.
This is absolutely the national park that surprised me the most and by far reached to be one of my top favorites of all the other 10 best national parks in western USA in my opinion.
I've visited Olympic national park for about a week, and even celebrated my birthday there by myself walking a really cute hiking trail.
Towards the end of my trip in the US I actually returned for another visit to the park and did some more hiking there.
All the details about the trails I did will of course be detailed in this post, and in addition you can also find information about accommodation around the park, where to eat, how to get around, and of course - why did I fall in love with this place so much?
So add the park to your travel map and let's go :)
Basic info about Olympic National Park
Best time to visit Olympic National Park
Olympic national park is open all year long, but the best months of visiting the park is during summer (from June - September)
These are the months where usually after a rainy winter everything turns green around and gives it its magical touch.
Usually From October - May some of the park services are closed, same as for part of the roads, hiking trails, camping sites and other services for travelers.
Before your visit to Olympic National park you should get updated with real time updates in this next link >>
Opening Hours of Olympic National Park
Olympic National park is open 24/7, so you can come and leave at anytime of the day.
Entrance Fees
The entrance fee to Olympic National park is 30$ per car, and its valid for one week.
You can also use the annual pass that costs 80$ and enables you to visit all national parks in the US. The card is valid for a year.
Visiting Olympic national park - The best park in western USA
How to get to Olympic National Park
Flight
Seattle, Washington is undoubtedly the closest big city to Olympic National Park.
In addition, a flight to Vancouver, Canada will also bring you very close to the park (close in US/Canada terms, of course :)).
If you are flying to one of these destinations it is absolutely worth considering a visit to Olympic National park.
If you're coming from south of Seattle like I did, there are different and more efficient ways to get to the park.
How to get to Olympic Park from Seattle?
You can go to Olympic National Park from Seattle by car in two different ways.
Vehicle only
The first is to circumnavigate the area's small bays by land and drive through the city of Tacoma on Highway 16.
This road takes between two and three hours, and will bring you to the southeastern/eastern points of the Olympic Peninsula.
Car + ferry
Another option is to cross by ferry to the Olympic Peninsula through one of the existing crossing points:
Edmond - the northernmost point, about a 20 minute drive north from Seattle (also suitable for those coming from Vancouver) and it will take you to Kingston.
Bainbridge Island - the port that leaves right from Seattle and arrives at the Bainbridge Island Station or alternatively to Bremerton. Of these two, the station that will bring you closest to the park itself is Bainbridge Island, but not by much.
Fauntleroy - is in the southern part of Seattle and is suitable for those coming from the south. The ferry will take you to Southworth station.
In general, the ferries are not very expensive, offer a much faster way to get to the peninsula, and you may even see some marine life along the way! It is also worth noting that during the busy times of the year, the ferries do fill up sometimes. I recommend that you book a time slot a few days in advance to ensure a smooth journey.
Magical rainforest at Olympic National park
How to get to Olympic Park from Vancouver, Canada
Because there is also a Vancouver, Washington state please note that this part talks about Vancouver, Canada :)
Vehicle only
I really don't see the advantage this way since it forces you to go inside Seattle and do the same way you would from Seattle by land only (I mentioned in the previous paragraph).
Car + ferry
Edmonds - if you are coming from the north then as I mentioned in the previous paragraph you can get to the northern point of Seattle Edmond and from there cross past Kingston, but this is not necessarily the most efficient option.
Mukilteo - another option a little north of Edmonds and it will take you to Clinton (the town not the president ;))
Coupeville - is probably the most preferable route (and also personally the one I did in both directions - round trip), and it will take you to the northern part of the Olympic Island to a cute town called Port Townsend.
How to get to Olympic Park from Portland/Vancouver Washington?
So if you're coming from the south, assuming you don't visit Seattle first, you can take one of the land routes to the park.
Via Route 5 you can split up the drive in a town called Grandmound.
If you want to start in the eastern part of the park, you can continue on Route 5 and connect to Route 101 afterward.
If you want to start from the western part of the park (this is what I did) you go down to Route 12 and continue until you connect to Route 101 on the other side.
On this route, there is also the option of connecting to Route 109 parallel to the beach, and seeing the views from there as well (mainly depending on the routes you want to take).
No matter how, just come :)
Accommodation inside Olympic National Park
Having a cozy home to come back to after a day of adventuring in the temperate rainforest is always a plus :)
In Olympic National Park you can find different accommodations at a range of price points, whether it is inside the park or outside it.
There are several individual lodges to choose from located within the park and some also allow campervan parking.
Kalaloch Lodge
This lodge is open throughout the year and allows accommodation in rooms, cabins, or camping areas (also suitable for groups).
At the lodge, you can find a restaurant, a souvenir shop, and even nice events for lodge customers.
Lake Crescent Lodge
Located in the heart of the park right on Lake Crescent, Lake Crescent Lodge offers accommodation in cabins or rooms.
Please note that the place is open for only part of the year, from the beginning of May until the beginning of January.
At the lodge, you can find services such as a restaurant, a souvenir shop, access to the shores of the lake, boat rentals, etc.
Log Cabin Resort
Another lodge located in the Lake Crescent area.
The lodge is open to guests between May and October, but the exact dates may change and you should find out the activity dates in advance.
The lodge contains cabins, rooms, and also an area for parking campervans and camping.
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
A lodge located in the area I loved in this park, right in the heart of the peninsula's amazing temperate rainforest.
The resort contains cabins and suites and also has an area for camping for campervans.
The lodge has hot springs, a restaurant, a small grocery store, a souvenir shop, and more.
In my opinion, this is the best place in the reserve, and if I were you - I would try to find a place there :)
Please note that the place is generally open from April until the end of October (may change).
Lexa and I adventuring together in Olympic National Park
Accommodation outside of Olympic National Park
Something beautiful about the Olympic National Park is that it is surrounded by many small towns around.
Unlike many other national parks where leaving the park can sometimes take half an hour of driving, in the Olympic National Park it's quite easy and you don't have to go too far.
The way I planned my time in the area is, I found hikes within specific sections of the park and saw a different section each day. At the end of the day, I simply left the park and drove to a place near the next day's adventure.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
This is another recommended hotel in the area that has a pool, gym, and high quality rooms.
It is considered one of the most luxurious hotels in the area and can definitely suit travelers who want slightly more luxurious conditions.
Great House Motel
A motel that has received good recommendations from travelers at an affordable price.
It has laundry services, WiFi, and basic accommodation conditions.
Olympic View Inn
A more pocket-friendly option in the town of Sequim for those looking for basic lodging conditions for a night or two in the area.
Beauty is found in the details
Best apps for overnight camping and parking around Olympic National Park
iOverlander
The app that I used the most for finding places to sleep on the road, whether it's organized paid campsites or random parking lots.
In the app, you can find information that travelers share about places where they camped for the night.
In addition, you can also find WiFi points, showers, places to fill water, empty the toilets, and so on.
It is possible to filter based on cost as well - for example, free parking lots versus paid ones, according to relevance, etc.
FreeRoam
Another app I've used a bit for finding places to stay, which is also completely free.
You can connect to other users in this application and even create a route plan.
One of my favourite campsites of the trip
Where to eat while visiting Olympic National Park
Since the park is surrounded by a lot of towns, you can just drop by to eat in one of these towns and also get groceries there if necessary.
Supermarkets
If you're traveling with a trailer (or any home on wheels like that), it's a good idea to stock up on food in a big city on the way like Seattle/Tacoma/Olympia (depending on which direction you're coming to the park).
But even if you didn't have enough, don't worry - you can also find a nice Walmart or safeway in the surrounding towns like Port Angeles/Sequim.
Restaurants
In terms of restaurants, I'm less strong, mainly because I'm vegan and I've rarely found myself in this area, but I did really like towns like Port Townsend or Port Angeles that have a really nice atmosphere and I mostly stopped there to relax.
Further inside the park, you can find The Springs Restaurant, Dinos Pizza & Grill, The Salmon House' Granny's Cafe, and more.
Again, these are not first-person recommendations, but I saw that they got good reviews on Google.
Salmonberry in Olympic National Park
Hiking trails in Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park has dozens of beautiful hiking trails of various difficulty levels.
In this section, I will summarize the routes that I personally did and, all in all, I simply recommend them all.
I will also mention some routes that I wanted to do but unfortunately, I didn't make it or they were closed when I arrived and just sounded like an interesting experience to me.
Maple Glade Rain Forest
A very short and cute loop trail (about 0.8 km), suitable for those who want a light stroll in the surrounding rainforest.
Although it is short, in my opinion, it is the most beautiful trail in the park, especially if you come to it in the summer months.
Everything is so green and magical, and it just feels like a trip inside a fairy tale.
Graves Creek Trailhead
A fairly easy but long trail (you can choose how far you want to go and return the same way).
I walked all the way to Pony Bridge Camp, a walk of about 4.5 km one way (9 km in total).
The walk in the forest is beautiful, and they say that the really beautiful sections are when you get to Enchanted Valley (about 21 km in one direction).
I didn't get to this section because I was hiking alone and I didn't want to spend the night in the area, but I really enjoyed the walk that I did.
A bit of magic - The Maple Glade Rain Forest trail
Hall of Mosses Trailhead
One of the park's classic walking routes.
A short loop trail suitable for families with children or people who find it more difficult to walk long routes and still want to enjoy the rainforest and Big Leaf Maple trees of the park.
Its length is only about 1.2 km on flat ground, and you can stop and rest at various stopping points.
Those who want to extend the route a bit can connect it to another loop called The Spruce Nature Trail which is about 1.9 km long and is also highly recommended in my opinion.
Hoh River Trail
Another ther-and-back trail that can be extended as much as you want.
It is recommended not to walk it alone because there are all kinds of wild animals such as cougars, which are best to not encounter while wandering alone.
At first, I was a little afraid to go to the trail and even postponed it on the day, but the next day I packed my things and decided to go to it anyway even though I was alone.
Actually there were quite a few hikers on the way and I felt very safe. I followed the route until Five Miles Campsite, and from there I returned back (about 8 km one way, a total of 16 km round trip).
In terms of walking, the route was pretty easy and I pretty much ran it.
Every spot is more beautiful than the previous
Sol Duc Trailhead
Another classic route, which, like many other routes in the park, can be extended or shortened accordingly.
I did the more classic part of the route (because I was already a bit tired at this point), and I got to the beautiful Sol Duc Falls, and from there I returned back. (The cover photo of the post is from these waterfalls).
In total, from the beginning of the route to the waterfalls, it is a calm walk of about 1.5 km (about 3 km round trip).
Lake Angeles
A slightly less touristic trail that I decided to do alone on my birthday.
I initially had a plan for another route that sounded interesting to me, but it required multiple days to complete, so I gave up on that idea.
It is a there-and-back trail of about 5.5 km that ends at a very cute lake called Lake Angeles.
You can spend the night at the lake's camp and of course continue on, but I decided to head back on the same day.
The route is a bit more challenging in terms of walking compared to the other routes I mentioned, and also much less popular.
In my opinion, it was beautiful and varied and provided me with a completely unique birthday experience.
My birthday lake :)
Marymere Falls Trailhead
A short walking trail starting next to Lake Crescent, so a walk of about 1.5 km will bring you to Marymere Falls.
Those who are interested in a slightly more challenging walk that ends with a beautiful observation point can connect to the Storm King Trailhead, which is about 2.5 km long and has a nice ascent of about 800 meters.
Deer Park Trailhead
A route located in the less traveled part of the park, but which is really worth getting to know.
I did this route on my second visit to the park together with my partner, his father, and a friend of his father.
The route is there-and-back, and you can walk as much as you want, and it goes through the forest with a changing view of the sub-alpine fields and hills along the way.
The route is really beautiful, especially at the end of summer when the colors of the trees and plants are already starting to change and take on a yellow/orange shade of fall.
The route is not very difficult to walk, but there are sections that require a moderate and consistent ascent.
We walked up to Maiden Peak, a walk of about 6 km one way (12 km in total).
Walking through clouds - The Deer Park Trail
Beautiful viewpoints in Olympic National Park
If hiking trails are less your thing, or you are limited in time and still want to experience a bit of the park, there are all kinds of beautiful viewpoints that can be easily reached by car.
Quinault Lake
A cute lake that you can circle around with a car and stop at some pretty spots along the way.
You will find there the largest Sitka Spruce tree in the world, and if you continue a little further you can stop by a nice waterfall called Merriman Falls followed by Bunch Falls.
If you still want a short trail at the end of the tour, you will find the recommended Maple Glade Rain Forest route, and if you just want to sit and eat by the lake, you can stop at the July Creek Picnic Area.
Route 101
If you're driving on Highway 101 on the West Coast, you can stop at Ruby Beach - a nice observation point on the sea.
After connecting to Route 110, a really nice beach to visit is Rialto Beach.
Resting time at Olympic National park
Lake Crescent
In the area of Lake Crescent, you should stop for a picnic and rest at a point called La Poel, and if you continue a little further towards Nature Bridge, you can wander the short trails on the shore of the lake or stop there for a pampering picnic lunch.
A really short walk along the shoreline to the north will bring you to a nice spot called Devil's Punchbowl, and in general it is very worthwhile to wander a bit on this side of the lake. (I also spent a night there at a really cute stopping point).
The town of Port Angeles
If you want some rest from all that green in your eyes, you should stop in the cute town of Port Angeles.
You can get organized there if you need something, stop for a meal at one of the small restaurants or cafes in the area, rest on their small beach - Hollywood Beach, or just wander the main street of the small town.
Stopping at all kinds of beautiful spots along the way
Visitors services in Olympic National Park
This is not only about services (but also!), but about all the services you can find around the park or inside it.
Visitor Centers
The park has several visitor centers where you can get information about different routes, issue permits for designated routes, and learn interesting information about the park.
Olympic National Park Visitor Center
Open throughout the year. The operating hours in the summer are from 9:00-17:00 (in the winter you should check the official website about the changes in the opening hours).
You can get all the information about the park, information about the history and nature around, and sometimes they also do activities for children.
Wilderness Information Center
At this location, it is possible to get permits for certain restricted trails and for backcountry camping.
Open throughout the year but operating hours vary according to the season.
Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center
Open in the summer months. You can get all the information you need, there.
And most importantly - make sure to keep the place clean
Last Words
I hope you have already been able to understand from this post how much I fell in love with Olympic National Park.
If you come to travel in Washington state, or even in the Vancouver area of Canada - jump here for a few days and I promise you will not regret it.
You are welcome to read about other The best national parks in the Western USA, which I hope you will get to visit on your trip.
You are of course welcome to follow me on Instagram, where I upload stories from my trips around the world, thus helping me grow and create more content for you :)
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All photos in the post were taken by Malcolm or myself, and may not be used without permission.
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Enjoy your trip :)
