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Olympic National Park

Olympic Coast Sea Stacks. Photo by Justin Bailie

Olympic National Park and the surrounding areas are a Things to Do Mecca! You’ll be hard-pressed to fit it all in a single vacation.

During low tides, the Pacific Ocean retreats from the beaches and exposes pools of water in rocky crevices that team with sea life.

Shi Shi Beach in Olympic National Park. Photo by David Krause

Olympic National Park contains four distinct and remarkable ecosystems—and even better, it’s possible to see all four in one day.

How do you pack a place where you can experience so many ecosystems in one day? Here are the top 15 items to bring to the park.

Hurricane Ridge Road. Photo by Justin Bailie

Getting there can be as fun as the park itself. Enjoy these scenic drives and road trips to Olympic National Park and other spots in Washington State.

Kayaking on lake in Olympic National Park.

Got 24 hours? Get the most out of them with this guide.

Olympic National Park is unique in that it is home to four of the world’s few remaining intact temperate rainforests, a breathtaking coastline and incredible alpine peaks.

A family exploring the tide pools on Rialto Beach.

With four distinct ecosystems, there are tons of activities to keep the whole family happy. Here are our top 7 family-friendly things to do in the park.

Our personalized guide gives you a sense of what to expect on the trails from a relaxing stroll down a striking beach to a strenuous hike to a waterfall.

Where is Olympic National Park?

The park is in the Pacfic Northwest area of the United States in the state of Washington. The park is in two sections, the mainland section and the Pacific coast section, separated by a strip of Native Nation land.

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Getting there can be as fun as the park itself. Enjoy these scenic drives and road trips to Olympic National Park and other spots in Washington State.

The closest major airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport about 2 hours from the park’s southeastern corner and 2.5 hours from Port Angeles.

Get the most from your vacation by taking a guided tour of the Olympic area. Take an audio tour, a ranger-led hike, or ride along with a park concessionaire.

Camping on the Olympic Coast. Photo by Justin Bailie

Campgrounds, backcountry camping, and RV parks in Olympic National Park in Washington

Whether you’re looking for an elegant resort or a rustic getaway, you’ll find it among the lodges located inside and adjacent to Olympic National Park.

A kayaker in Tacoma’s downtown marina with the Glass Museum Dome in the background

Where to setup base camp while visiting the park, the Olympic Peninsula, and surrounding areas.

Hiking at Sunrise Point on Hurricane Ridge. Photo by Justin Bailie

Located at 5,242 feet in the park’s northeast corner, Hurricane Ridge is accessible by car and the quickest way to reach Olympic’s alpine zone.

See giant trees in a rainforest and tide pools on the Pacific coast, hike to views of the Olympic mountains, and play in the water in cool mountain lakes.

Hoh Rain Forest Maples in Olympic National Park. Photo by Kevin Muckenthaler via Wikimedia Commons

The west-side area of this national park is one of the best places in the world to see a temperate rainforest ecosystem.

Sea stacks on Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park

The park’s wild coastline features both easy-access beaches and remote wilderness. Camp on the beaches year-round.

Roosevelt Elk in Olympic National Park. Photo by NPS

Popular wildlife in Olympic include Roosevelt Elk, black bears, mountain lions, sea otters, gray whales, and bald eagles.

Woman hiking a forest trail in Olympic National Park

Go kayaking, rafting, fishing, and hiking in a park with four different environments. It's waiting for you to explore.

Kayaking on Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park

With crystal-clear lakes, cobalt rivers, and the Pacific Ocean all within a few miles of each other, Olympic NP offers plenty of opportunities for water fun.

Humpback whale breaking the water at sunset

Whale watching cruises are one way to spot large marine mammals, but there are also many locations near the park where you can watch right from the shore.

Olympic National Park and the surrounding areas are a Things to Do Mecca! You’ll be hard-pressed to fit it all in a single vacation.

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With five different places to stay in the park, it can be difficult to decide whether to stay beachside, lakeside, or next to a hot springs. Find your match.

How do you pack a place where you can experience so many ecosystems in one day? Here are the top 15 items to bring to the park.

Kick back with a front-porch view of the Pacific at Olympic’s only oceanfront lodge, settled on the bluffs above the beach on the park’s western border.

Tamron photographer Andre Costantini helps a workshop participant at Great Sand Dunes National Park

National Park Trips Media and Tamron have teamed up to offer Photo Workshops inside your favorite national parks.

Circle the national park on this ultimate tour of the Olympic Peninsula with a stop at Cape Flattery the northwest-most point in the continental US.

The longest natural sand spit in the United States, extending 5 miles into the Strait of Juan De Fuca. It's grown about 15 feet/year for the past 120 years.

A view looking north from the south end of Hood Canal in Washington State. The Olympic Mountain can be seen in the distance.

Gateway to Olympic National Park, Lake Cushman, and a scenic point for hiking, fishing and kayaking on the north fork of the Skokomish River.

Free Trip Planner for Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park

10 Top Things to Do on an Olympic National Park Vacation

Explore Tide Pools at Olympic National Park's Coast