National Parks Journal
Photo: NPS Photo/Jon Preston
Olympic National Park
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!
Entrance Fees
Activities
Top Hikes
3.2 mi · 700 ft gain · out & back
Paved trail to a 360-degree summit view of the Olympic Mountains, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Vancouver Island.
Starts at: End of Hurricane Hill Road
0.8 mi · 100 ft gain · loop
Iconic old-growth rainforest loop through bigleaf maples draped with club moss in the Hoh Rain Forest.
Starts at: Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center
1.6 mi · 50 ft gain · out & back
Level walk through old-growth forest to perhaps the most picturesque waterfall in Olympic.
Starts at: Sol Duc Road end
4.2 mi · 2,100 ft gain · out & back
Extremely steep switchbacks with stunning views of Lake Crescent and surrounding peaks.
Starts at: Storm King Ranger Station
Upcoming Events
Hoh Rain Forest Talk (11 am)
What makes a rainforest a rainforest? Discover the perfect combination of ingredients that make the Hoh Rain Forest like no place else on Earth.
Hoh Rain Forest Talk (9:30 am)
What makes a rainforest a rainforest? Discover the perfect combination of ingredients that make the Hoh Rain Forest like no place else on Earth.
Hoh Rain Forest: Hall of Mosses Hike
Meet a park ranger at the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center outdoor plaza. Enjoy a 0.8-mile guided walk beneath towering old-growth trees and tapestries of moss as you learn about the Hoh Rain Forest's amazing cast of characters. The trail surface is hard-packed with some stairs and uneven surfaces from tree roots and other obstacles. Please allow 1.25-1.5 hours for this activity.
Best Time to Visit
Best time to visit: April, June
Pleasant weather with fewer crowds
Weather & Climate
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.