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With this area's famous rain comes surging rivers that drop as beautiful waterfalls. Many of these waterfalls are accessible within a short hike.

Entrance and overnight wilderness use fees will be phased in over several years, based in large part on suggestions from stakeholders and the public

The largest wild herd of Roosevelt elk in the Pacific Northwest lives in Olympic, so your chances of spotting one are good.

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.

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.

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

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

Accessed via US 101, which circles the peninsula, Olympic National Park has many entry points. Here are the six most popular.

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.

Request your free trip planner materials and e-newsletter today. It's everything you need to plan the Olympic National Park vacation of a lifetime.

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

Parks that usually charge an entrance fee will be free on several days during the year. Check our list of dates for this year.

The three Grand Prize winners are Matt Meisenheimer for Landscape, Roger Twilley for Wildlife, and Tony Prince for Night Skies. Also see 48 Honorable Mention photos.

The park is open 24-hours year round. Some roads, campgrounds and other facilities close during the winter season, but the park itself is always open!

Go on an unforgettable hiking vacation. Wildland Trekking has a tour that fits nearly anyone who loves to hike in world-renowned, breathtaking landscapes

Staying at this riverside resort in Olympic’s northern forest provides access to several natural hot mineral pools for soaking your stress away.

A night at this relaxed complex located on the shores of Lake Crescent will bring you back to your summer camp days.

This beautiful resort on the shores of Lake Quinault is on the fancy side, with a stylish lobby featuring a large fireplace and fine dining.

Tucked in the trees at the edge of Lake Crescent, the charming Lake Crescent Lodge features a fine dining restaurant. Rent boats and slide into the water.

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 personalized guide to help you decide where to spend the night, from car camping paradise and remote backcountry sites to a slice of RV heaven.

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.

Whether you are planning a trip to the Olympic Peninsula or simply want to stay connected to the national park, our newsletters are a great source of information and are filled with inspiring stories.

The park is a fantastic place to explore, but don’t get so carried away with the magnificent views that you leave your common sense behind.

Get a taste for the land when you stop at one of the nine wineries and cideries along the Olympic Peninsula wineries trail.

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

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.

Watch salmon ascend the Sol Duc River in late summer and fall at this roadside overlook in the Sol Valley.

Called the most beautiful falls in Olympic, the hike to the falls is a short and easy one. Walk one mile through old-growth forest to the overlook.

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.

Down Sol Duc Road in Olympic National Park, you’ll find healing waters of hot springs. Native American legend tells how the springs were created by dragons.

Beyond the beauty of the Sol Duc River running through old-growth forest, there's a hot springs resort, a three-legged waterfall, and a salmon cascade.

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.

There are three visitor centers and multiple ranger stations in Olympic National Park. See exhibits and learn about the park.

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

This park is in the northwest corner of the United States in Washington state on the Olympic Peninsula. It contains Pacific Ocean beaches and mountains.

Visit two of Washington State’s premier national parks on this scenery-packed trip also passing through Seattle and Tacoma.

This road trip includes a stop at the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, a park centered around the mountain that famously blew its top in 1980.

See beaches, rainforests, and waterfalls on your journey up the Pacific Coast, circling Olympic National Park, and ending in Seattle, Washington.

Combine city culture with island life on this 5-10 day loop. Start in Canada then ferry to islands and the U.S. Olympic Peninsula.

In summer, highs are around 65 to 75°F; weather is often sunny from July through September. In winter, heavy snow accumulates in the mountains.

Every July, people who love the sweet, calming fragrance of lavender gather in Sequim, Wash. to browser hundreds of hand-crafted gifts and products.

Do you enjoy music, science fiction books, or seafood? Then you won't want to miss these happening surrounding Olympic National Park.

This quaint harbor town is located at the northernmost end of the Olympic Peninsula. Go whale watching, visit a historic park and eat fresh seafood.

With fewer visitors during the season, you can find peaceful mountains, crashing waves, and dripping lushness in this winter wonderland.