Olympic National Park is one of the jewels of Washington State and has a very diverse landscape in its 1,442 square-mile area. There is no storage of things to see and it takes approximately 10 days or 3-4 weekends to see all the highlights. We have been three times and still have a few more things to see.

In This Article:

• Best Time to Visit The Olympic National Park
• Things to Do In The Olympic National Park
• Where To Stay Around The Olympic National Park
• National Park Fees

Best Time to Visit Olympic National Park

The Olympic National Park is open all year round, but the best time for sightseeing is spring through fall. In the late spring, the landscape is lush and vibrant with life. We have been at different times and have been fortunate to have dry weather each time. However, it’s best to pack layering clothes and a rain jacket in case the weather changes.

Things to Do In The Olympic National Park

#1 Lake Quinault

Lake Quinault is hidden on the southwest corner of the Park. You can spend the day kayaking or paddleboarding on this beautiful lake framed by mountains. This gem is tranquil and less famous than other attractions in the Park. We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon of splashing in the water, basking in the sun, and watching the sunset. At Lake Quinault Lodge, there is a network of short trails looping through the Quinault Rainforest across the road from the Lodge.

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#2 Lake Crescent

An iconic destination in the Park featuring crystal clear waters and framed by lush forest-covered mountains. Ideal for water activities, hiking, and relaxing. If you fancy getting on the water, kayaks, canoes, rowboats, and paddleboards are available for rent at Lake Crescent Lodge. Definitely exercise caution, as this is the 2nd deepest lake in Washington. We explored the nearby family-friendly trails that lead to Marymere Falls – 1.7m out and back with 300ft elevation. Marymere Falls is a stunning 90-foot waterfall. After exploring, we relaxed at the lake with a glass of wine as we watched the sunset while Lo played in the shallows of the water. Caution – the lake has a steep drop-off, do not let your kids play more in more than knee-high water.

To get a good view of Lake Crescent, consider hiking the Mt. Storm King Trail; this is a strenuous trail with steep elevation – 5.3miles, 2,000 ft elevation. On a separate occasion, we hiked this mountain and really had a tough time getting to the top. There were a lot of breaks involved, and it took us longer to hike the mountain. At several points on the hike, we wanted to give up, but we kept pushing so we could tell you all about it. We were also glad that we did not bring Lo on this trail; it is not ideal for kids as there are some steep drop-offs and some precarious spots. The last bit of the hike is unmaintained. There are ropes to help you get up to the summit. Go at your own risk. We stopped at the viewpoint a few hundred yards from the unmaintained trail. Although the climb was arduous, the view was well worth it!

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#3 Rialto Beach

Rialto Beach is where the peninsula meets the pacific ocean. This moody beach is absolutely gorgeous! The beach is home to the unique Tree Graveyard and is the best place to see sea-stacks and the sunset. In addition, during low tide, you can hike to Hole in The Wall and find spectacular tidepools. Hole in the wall is also a very popular camping site. It’s apparently a very easy 4-mile like out and back and great for first-time backpackers. We didn’t hike to Hole in The Wall; instead, we enjoyed a day of beach exploration and watched the sunset. It is a little windier on the beach, so wear warm clothes and bring a picnic, camp blankets, and firewood to cozy up. The parking lot at Rialto Beach can get full quickly, but roadside parking is also available. It’s important to note that you cannot carry souvenirs off this beach, i.e., rocks, driftwood, or anything part of the natural environment.

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#4 Hurrican Ridge

Named for its intense winds, this is a mountainous terrain in the Park with dramatic views of the snow-capped Olympic Mountains. This destination is popular for hiking and winter sporting activities. The access road is open year-round, and during winter, the road is open if weather permits. Regardless of the season, wear warm layers as the weather can be very unpredictable. Several different trailheads originate from the visitor center for varying skill levels. We visited Hurricane Ridge during winter with the hope of hiking the 3.4-mile hike to Hurricane Hill, but it was snowed in. So instead, we walked around the area, taking in the views. We will have to go back in summer to enjoy this hike.

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Yet To Experience

On our next trip to the Olympic National Park, we will visit the following:

Hoh Rainforest – Nestled on the west side of the Park, it is located 45 minutes from Forks, WA. You can explore the moss and fern carpeted Rainforest with towering trees via various trails for different abilities.

 Mineral Hot Springs & Pool at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort – Deep in the northwest end of Olympic National Park lies the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. Operates March 25th – October 30th. For only $15 per adult, you can soak in mineral hot spring pools. The Sol Duc River Valley also has terrific trails and views.

Note on COVID19 – All visitors must maintain social distancing.

Map of Area

Where To Stay Around The Olympic National Park

There are many lodging and camping options for the Olympic National Park. However, we advise you to break up your exploration by region because it is such a large area.

For Lake Quinault – Lake Quinault Lodge and the surrounding campgrounds are the most convenient places to stay. The nearest town with multiple hotel/inn lodgings options would be Aberdeen, approximately an hour south of Lake Quinault. You can also stay in Seabrook and Ocean City along the Pacific coast which would be about the same time as from Aberdeen.

For Rialto Beach, Hoh Rain Forest, Lake Crescent, and Sol Duc – Forks, WA would be a fantastic base. There are multiple inns, cabins, and campgrounds in the area. Fun fact, Forks is where Twighlight Saga was filmed and based.

For Hurricane Ridge – Port Angeles is the best location to stay in, with multiple hotels/inns and cabins. Lake Crescent and Sol Duc are also easily accessed from Port Angeles.

National Park Fees

• Non-commercial Vehicle – $30 for a 7-day pass, free for Military families with a pass.
• Campgrounds – ~$25 per night
• Free Days*** –
  • January 18th – Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • April 16th – First day of National Park Week
  • August 4th – Anniversary of Great American Outdoors Act
  • August 25th – National Park Service Birthday
  • September 25th – National Public Lands Day
  • November 11th – Veterans Day

Check out Paradise At Mount Rainier National Park for a perfect summertime National Park