Olympic National Park

Declared a national monument in 1909 and a national park in 1938, pristine Olympic National Park occupies nearly one million acres of verdant rainforest, glaciated mountain tops and coastal wilderness, giving way to the Pacific Ocean. The park’s 1,000-year-old cedar trees are offset by unspoiled alpine meadows, mirror-like glacial lakes, and an interior that’s practically free of roads and must be hiked. Not to be overlooked is its most prominent feature, mighty Mount Olympus, which stands at 7,980 feet.

Filled with roads less traveled and ripe for independent exploration, Olympic National Park offers opportunities for hiking, fishing, kayaking and skiing amid a biodiverse ecosystem with abundant, varied flora and fauna, plenty of caraccessible campgrounds, and many developed and backcountry campsites.

The Flora and Fauna

Discover Olympics’ soaring, glacier-capped peaks; lush, old-growth temperate rainforests; and wild, 70-plus-miles of mist-hung coastline. Marvel at 20-story conifers, an impressive array of vascular plants, non-vascular mosses, hornworts and liverworts. Boasting spectacularly varied levels of precipitation and elevation, the experience is yours to craft.

In the lowlands, spot raccoons, minks and beavers. Keep your eyes peeled for the majestic, indigenous Roosevelt elk, too, and over 300 species of birds, as well as black bears and mountain lions. Meanwhile, bald eagles soar overhead and sea otters, sea lions, gray whales, dolphins and seals frolic offshore.

The Weather

Crowded as they are, the summer months are the best time to visit, while winters are cooler, with coastal fog and some snow at higher elevations. You can check for road closures, location-specific weather and the status of different areas of the park on its website.

The Hikes, Drives and Viewpoints

Hoh Rainforest Trail

Wherever you land, no visit is complete without a trek along the moss-drenched Hoh Rainforest Trail. It starts at the visitor’s center, at the end of the Upper Hoh Road, and travels 12 miles through the electric-green temperate rainforest. Beyond, it ascends to the flower-frocked Glacier Meadows.

Hurricane Ridge

For a change of pace, Hurricane Ridge is the park’s most accessible mountain range. Just 17 miles from Port Angeles, it features a hike to suit all types.

Crescent Lake

Set in the northern foothills of the Olympic Mountains, glassy, glacially carved Crescent Lake features several hiking trails, some of which traverse the surrounding mountains, while others intersect the lowland forests and follow creeks.

Hall Of Moss Trail

Traveling with family? The club moss, fern, and lichen-laden Hall of Moss Trail offers an easy .8-mile loop through an ethereal rainforest of imposing maples and Sitka spruces.

Rialto Beach

Beach bums should fast track it to Rialto Beach by the Mora Campground and Quillayute River, near La Push. Offering everything from a gentle, half-mile stroll to a heart-pounding, 13-mile trek, there’s something for all activity levels. Be sure to pause and appreciate Hole-in-the-Wall, offshore islands and sea stacks, and plan to explore tidepools if the timing is right.

Zetong Li

Jachan Devol

Second Beach

Joshua Earle

About the Park

Location - Northwest Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula

Established - June 28, 1938

Area - 922,651 acres