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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.

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

Hikers at Hole-in-the-Wall on Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park

How do you pack a place where you can experience so many ecosystems in one day? Here are the top 16 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 family-friendly things to do in the park.

The "Hole-in-the-Wall" north of Rialto Beach in Olympic National 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.

Aircraft with the Morning Sun Illuminating Their Tails at Sea-Tac Airport

The closest major airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport about 2.5 hours from the Hurricane Ridge park entrance at 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 to Sunrise Point on the High Ridge Trail at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park

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.

The Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park

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.

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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An entire winter's worth of screen shots (141 pictures) from the Hurricane Ridge webcam in Olympic National Park

Manresa Castle Hotel in Port Townsend, Wash.

You could stay in a nondescript hotel during your Olympic vacation. But step outside your comfort zone to spend the night at fantastic and unusual lodging.

Use this map to get your bearings on the main national park entrances, park roads, lakes and hiking trailheads.

This map shows the park roads and entrances, along with lakes and major trails. The map also shows general tide warnings of beach areas.

How do you pack a place where you can experience so many ecosystems in one day? Here are the top 16 items to bring to the park.

Photographer on Second Beach in Olympic National Park

Love to take photos in national parks? Whether it’s a landscape, a wildlife pic, or a Milky Way shot, send it our way. You could win a Tamron camera lens!

A pair of orcas (killer whales) in Puget Sound. Courtesy photo

Exciting whale watching tours and wildlife tours around the Olympic Peninsula and the San Juan Islands.

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Olympic National Park

10 Best Things to Do on an Olympic National Park Vacation

Explore Tide Pools at Olympic National Park's Coast