Best Day Hikes In Olympic National Park – Bertie and I are looking forward to more adventures than ever. A chance to get out and marvel at the magic of the Pacific Northwest.
Do you feel the same way? The perfect combination of tranquility and the trip of a lifetime is not far away! You can find it on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.
Best Day Hikes In Olympic National Park
With 70 miles of wild beaches, endless jungle trails, and snow-capped mountains, this 1 million hectare site will take your breath away. Experience it on a long weekend or on an epic road trip – there’s no wrong way to visit this Washington gem.
Hurricane Ridge In Olympic National Park
In this article, we break down all the things to do in Olympic National Park, sharing our favorite activities, hikes, photo opportunities and more. We also share our favorite campsites, lodging options and other fun tips for your best trip.
Officially, it is located in the western part of the state, at the tip of the Olympic Peninsula. Olympic National Park covers 1 million hectares and is generally surrounded by the Olympic National Forest.
Both organizations work together to preserve the region’s unique biodiversity for all visitors to enjoy!
If you live far away (and in the Pacific Northwest), the easiest way to get to the park is to fly into Seattle, Washington (SEA) and rent a car. From the airport, you can drive to Port Angeles in about 2.5-3 hours.
The 21 Best Hikes In Olympic National Park
The best way to get around the park is by car. There is no transportation system in Olympic National Park, and many popular spots are quite far from each other.
If you want to combine camping and hiking, we recommend renting a camper van from Outdoorsy. It’s like Airbnb, but for vehicles, so you can hit the Olympic Peninsula in style in a vintage VW van, teardrop trailer, or even an all-out RV.
We used the Dirt app to easily plan all the logistics of a trip to Olympic National Park. Dirt has the largest database of campgrounds with over 44,000 public and private sites to search and find.
Professional members can use their Trip Planner, which helps them find the best campsites and gas stations along our route. Use our code deals to unlock more professional features like BLM Maps + Offline Navigation and get a free 30-day trial.
Hiking In The Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park has tons of seasonal activities! However, summer is the most popular time to visit. Crowds are inevitable, but the advantage of the summer season is that almost everything is open and accessible.
In the winter, Hurricane Ridge is open to snowfall on the weekends, and much of the Washington coast is covered in clouds for cooler, cooler weather and great photos of Olympic National Park.
The Olympic winter season, like any other season, has its pros and cons. You’ll find less crowds, but only a few attractions are open.
There are many great places to see inside and outside of Olympic National Park. If you’re taking a weekend trip from Seattle, this is a fun way to see the many unique sights on the Olympic Peninsula.
The Perfect One Day In Olympic National Park — Nichole The Nomad
Here are our favorite Olympic hotels and resorts, based on personal experience or recommendations from people we trust.
Kalaloch Lodge (close to Tree of Life!) – Kalaloch (on the water, but no wifi) Woodland Inns – Forks, WA (small cabin in town, close to everything in Forks, sleeps 4) Olympic Lodge – Puerto Angeles, WA – (Great Vacation Close to Downtown and Restaurants)
Olympic National Park has several great campsites that you can book if you want to spend some time in nature. Sol Duc Campground, Callaloch Campground, and Mora Campground accept reservations only, and all other campgrounds in Olympic National Park are first-come, first-served.
Our favorite things to do in Olympic National Park are the closest campgrounds…
Olympic National Park In Washington, Best And Least Crowded Trails And Hikes
Once you get to your site, it’s up to you how you set up your camp! Make a comfy bed, sleep in your car, and maybe try these car camping ideas. We’ve also written a post about quick and easy camping meals to make the most of your time exploring Olympic National Park.
You can also use our camping checklist to plan the perfect setup, including portable stoves, the most comfortable chairs, and our favorite camping gear tips.
Also, the weather can be rainy in Olympic National Park, so be prepared to camp in the rain.
Camping at La Push Beach, backpacking on the High Divide or overnighting on the Ozette Loop requires a permit from the Wilderness Information Center. Be sure to reserve your ticket online or visit WIC before your hike.
How To Visit Olympic National Park In One Weekend
Rain Jacket: This is probably the most important piece of clothing to bring on your trip to Olympic National Park. We have this rain jacket that is lightweight and easy to carry in your backpack.
Rain Boots: Rain boots aren’t just for a rainy day, they’re great for exploring backwater pools and the beaches of Olympic National Park. We love these bogs because of the easy-to-slide handle.
Daypack: We alternate between the WANDRD bag for camera gear and these lightweight Cotopaxi bags for everyday hiking.
Water Bottle – Rain or shine, packing water is essential! Choose a hydroflask to keep your drinks fresh with many colors to choose from.
5 Top Day Hikes In Olympic National Park…and 2 That Are Overrated!
Hat: You can get sunburned through the clouds, so it’s a good idea to protect your head. Choose an epic adventure adventure hat or matching raincoat to go with any style!
Camera: Create great memories of your Olympic National Park activities later! Here are 8 tips on how to take better travel photos.
Layers: In Olympic National Park, mornings can start off cold and warm up quickly in the afternoon. Layer up so you can peel off the layers as the day warms up!
Bear Spray – If you are hiking or going on a multi-day trip, I recommend using bear spray for protection.
10 Amazing Day Hikes In Olympic National Park
Bug Repellent: With the many lakes, waterfalls, rivers and rainforests surrounding the park, bug repellant is essential for a summer trip to Olympic National Park. You can also wear a hat like this one from Outdoor Research so they don’t touch your face.
Good Socks: Make sure you wear the right socks when hiking in the Olympics. Smartwool recommends these for reduced chafing and better sweat absorption.
In this article, we’ve broken down some of the best things to do in Olympic National Park. We’ll share our favorite things to do in each area of the park. This way you can get a better idea of what areas to explore and what to expect at each location.
Olympic National Park’s Pacific coast is filled with beautiful rocky beaches, hidden coves, and plenty of adventure opportunities. We’re sharing our favorite places to hike in Olympic Beach National Park!
Grand Ridge Trail: Backpacking One Of Olympic National Park’s Best Hikes — Wander In Raw
From sun-bleached trees to endless beach walks, this is a beach for adventure seekers. Rialto Beach is a popular beach camping spot in Washington.
Stop by Ellen Creek and pick up a WIC permit in Port Angeles and choose from the many great campsites along the shore.
We especially love hiking the Hole-in-the-Wall Trail at Rialto Beach, a 1.5-mile hike to see one of Washington’s most Instagrammed spots. Walk right through the hole in the rock and climb to the top for one of the best views of the beach.
Close to Rialto Beach (we’re 10 minutes away) is the La Push chain of beaches, ready for your visit to Olympic National Park.
How To Spend 2 Days In Olympic National Park: The Best Olympic National Park 2-day Itinerary — Nichole The Nomad
First Beach is the most easily accessible of the Washington beaches. Here you can explore the nearby seawater pools and enjoy views of the famous sea stacks along the coast.
The second beach is the most popular of La Push’s three beaches, especially for its beautiful sunset views and beach camping opportunities. This beach requires a 15-minute walk to the shore, so be careful not to leave valuables in your car.
Third Beach is the least visited of La Push’s three beaches and requires a 3.6-mile hike to Washington Beach. The beach is often shrouded in fog for the perfect classic Pacific Northwest experience.
Ruby Beach is a family-friendly Washington beach. The parking lot is located off the 101 Freeway and is easy to access. Single also
