Olympic National Park

State: Washington. Type: national park on the Olympic Peninsula, spanning Jefferson, Clallam, Mason and Grays Harbor counties. Designated a national monument in 1909, redesignated a national park June 29, 1938. Size: 922,650 acres. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. 2024 visitation: over 3.7 million, ranking 25th among U.S. national parks. Highest point: Mount Olympus, 7,965 feet.

Olympic National Park occupies most of Washington's remote Olympic Peninsula, protecting an unusual combination of four distinct landscapes within a single park: a rugged 60-mile stretch of wild Pacific coastline, glaciated alpine mountains topped by 7,965-foot Mount Olympus, temperate rainforests on the peninsula's wetter western slopes, and drier forest on its eastern side, all shaped by the rain-shadow effect of the mountains themselves. First protected as a national monument in 1909 and redesignated a national park on June 29, 1938, the park now spans 922,650 acres and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, reflecting both its ecological diversity and roughly 366,000 acres of old-growth forest. The Hoh Rainforest, on the park's western side, receives more than 12 feet of rain a year, among the wettest spots in the contiguous United States, while Hurricane Ridge offers accessible alpine views and winter recreation on the park's northern edge. With more than 3.7 million visitors in 2024, it is one of the most-visited national parks in the country, anchored by the gateway city of Port Angeles.

Olympic National Park covers most of the Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington State, spanning Jefferson, Clallam, Mason and Grays Harbor counties. Port Angeles, on the peninsula's northern edge along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, is the nearest city and home to the park's main visitor center, at 3002 Mount Angeles Road, Port Angeles, WA 98362.

The park spans two Köppen climate zones due to the rain-shadow effect of its mountains: a wet, temperate oceanic climate on the western half, including the Hoh Rainforest, which receives more than 12 feet (370 cm) of rain annually, and a notably drier, warm-summer Mediterranean-type climate on the eastern side. This range means conditions can differ dramatically between the park's coastal, mountain and rainforest sections on the same day.

Summer offers the most reliable access to high-elevation areas like Hurricane Ridge and the widest range of open trails and roads. The Hoh Rainforest and coastal areas are accessible and scenic year-round, including in the rainier winter months, for visitors prepared for wet weather. Winter brings snow-based recreation to Hurricane Ridge when conditions allow.

The Olympic Peninsula's mountainous core was first protected as Mount Olympus National Monument in 1909, aimed at safeguarding the area's Roosevelt elk and old-growth forest. On June 29, 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed legislation redesignating and expanding the area as Olympic National Park, eventually growing it to include the Pacific coastal strip and larger rainforest valleys that distinguish the park today. In 1981, UNESCO designated Olympic National Park a World Heritage Site in recognition of its exceptional natural diversity, including its old-growth temperate rainforests, glaciated peaks and wild coastline, together protecting roughly 922,650 acres, including about 366,000 acres of old-growth forest.

Visitors hike trails ranging from short interpretive loops in the Hoh Rainforest to strenuous alpine routes from Hurricane Ridge, explore the park's 60-mile wild coastline for tide pools and driftwood-strewn beaches, and view glaciated peaks including Mount Olympus. Winter visitors can access snow play and limited skiing at Hurricane Ridge when conditions and road access allow. Wildlife viewing, including Roosevelt elk, is a common draw throughout the park's forested areas.

The Hoh Rainforest, on the park's western side, is known for moss-draped old-growth trees and extremely high rainfall. Hurricane Ridge, accessible by road from Port Angeles, offers alpine meadows and mountain views along with winter recreation. The park's roughly 60-mile Pacific coastline includes wild beaches and tide pools, while Mount Olympus, at 7,965 feet, is the park's highest peak.

The park's main visitor center is in Port Angeles, at 3002 Mount Angeles Road, reachable by car from Seattle via a combination of highway driving and a ferry crossing across Puget Sound, or by a longer all-road route around the sound. There is no direct public transit into the park's interior, so a personal or rental vehicle is the primary way to reach its various regions, which are spread widely around the peninsula.

Olympic National Park is open 24 hours a day, year-round, though specific roads, campgrounds and facilities, including seasonal access to Hurricane Ridge, operate on their own schedules and can close due to weather, especially in winter.

As of research, standard entrance fees were $30 for a private vehicle, $25 for a motorcycle, and $15 for an individual arriving on foot or bicycle, each valid for seven consecutive days; annual, military, senior and other discounted passes are also available per the National Park Service.

Because the park's regions (coast, rainforest, alpine Hurricane Ridge) are spread far apart, most visitors need at least two to three days to see a representative sample, with a week or more allowing a fuller exploration of all four landscape types.

Port Angeles, the park's main gateway city, has the widest range of hotels and motels near the northern entrance and visitor center. Additional smaller gateway communities are scattered around the peninsula near the park's other access points, such as the Hoh Rainforest and coastal areas, alongside in-park campgrounds for those preferring to camp.

Port Angeles has the largest concentration of restaurants near the park, ranging from casual to sit-down dining. Smaller gateway communities near other park entrances, such as those close to the Hoh Rainforest or coastal access points, tend to have more limited, casual dining options, so travelers venturing to remote sections of the park should plan food and supplies accordingly.

Port Angeles serves as the jumping-off point for ferries across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria, British Columbia, for visitors wanting to extend a trip internationally. Seattle, reachable by a combination of driving and a Puget Sound ferry crossing, is the nearest major city for additional sightseeing before or after a park visit.

There is no direct scheduled public transit into the park; visitors typically drive from Seattle via a ferry crossing or an all-road route around Puget Sound, then rely on a personal or rental vehicle to reach the park's separated regions.

Weather can shift quickly between the park's coastal, rainforest and alpine zones, so check current road and weather conditions, particularly for Hurricane Ridge, via the park's road and weather hotline before heading up. Tide tables should be checked before hiking or exploring the coastal strip, since incoming tides can cut off return routes along some beaches. Wildlife, including elk and occasional black bears, is present, so keep a safe distance and store food properly. For any emergency, dial 911.

Rain gear is essential, especially for the Hoh Rainforest and other western park areas that receive very heavy annual rainfall. Layered clothing helps address the sharp differences between coastal, forest and alpine conditions on the same trip, and sturdy waterproof footwear is useful for both rainforest trails and rocky coastal areas.

Because the park's main regions are widely separated by driving distance, plan an itinerary that focuses on one or two areas (for example, Hurricane Ridge and the Hoh Rainforest) rather than trying to see the whole park in a single day. Checking the park's road and weather hotline before heading to Hurricane Ridge is worthwhile, especially outside summer, since access can be seasonal or weather-dependent. Tide charts are important reading before any coastal hike.

Dial 911 for any emergency. The park's visitor information line, per its official visitor information, is (360) 565-3130, with a separate road and weather hotline at (360) 565-3131.

Olympic National Park (National Park Service) - https://www.nps.gov/olym

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.