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Olympic National Park is one of the least visited national parks in the United States. Perhaps, because of its remote location on Washington’s isolated peninsula or perhaps because it’s not a park you can “do” in a weekend. Either way, it’s very underrated as any good Washingtonian will tell you. But there are too many generic blogs sharing recycled information (recommending me the same coffee shops and basic sights) & not enough real trip-planning advice for this spellbinding rainforest meets beach region.
As a traveler, you want to know which little towns are worth visiting, which beaches are best, how long you need to visit, & if you’re avid hikers like us…which trails you should prioritize. So, let’s cover the basics.
Here are my insider tips for Olympic National Park.
17 Things First Time Visitors to Olympic National Park Should Know
1. Olympic National Park is built for backpackers.
If you want to see the best the Olympics have to offer you’re going to need to hike for several days instead of several hours.
The most impressive scenery, if you’re into rainforests, on the peninsula is found deep in the Hoh River Trail (17-miles one way). I’m not saying day hikes aren’t good here. They are. Just don’t expect Olympic NP to be your favorite without doing some backpacking.
Getting permits for these trails is competitive. Often they sell out 6 months in advance. You can check for availability here.
2. You CANNOT “do” this park in a weekend.
It’s huge. Really it is. I would recommend a minimum of 5 days if you want to visit a handful of the regions of the park & do a few hikes along the way. One of my most important tips for Olympic National Park is to stay for as long as you possibly can. It really is a big park.
3. It takes HOURS to go from one region of the park to the next.
Looks on a map are deceiving. But because of the next two points I outline below, it takes about twice as long as you think it will to get anywhere in the national park.
If your time in the park is limited, it truly is best to focus on one or two regions (primarily Hurricane and Sol Duc) so you don’t spend the entire weekend in the car.
4. The parks most impressive sights are not conveniently located, despite appearances.
It LOOKS like all Olympic National Park’s most impressive sights are on a perfectly circular path around the peninsula. But they aren’t. Each one is actually about one hour off the Highway that circumnavigates the park.
This means to go from one sight to the next like this…
It will take about 4 hours total because you’ll be driving back & forth to each from the main highway.
5. Many roads are heavily pot-holed and dirt.
Just adding time to the already long drive days. Hot tip for Olympic National Park: If you have a car that has 4WD, I would take it just for the smoother ride.
6. There are 8 tribes of indigenous peoples within Olympic National Park.
The indigenous tribes of the region are the Makah, Quileute, Hoh, Quinault, Skokomish, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam, and Lower Elwha Klallam. Some are coastal peoples who practice whaling and others more inland, but each is a distinct tribal group with their own cultural practices.
If you want to learn more about the native tribes be sure to check out the links on the national park website.
7. You will need additional day-use permits for beaches & trails on Native American Reservations.
Shi Shi Beach is one of these destinations.
Since this is one of the most popular attractions in Olympic National Park, most first-time visitors pay it a visit. We didn’t because during COVID all the native lands were closed to non-residents.
But for a full in-depth guide on the costs of camping on Shi Shi Beach check out this helpful post by Two Wandering Soles.
8. The best hikes in the park on a CLEAR day are…
Mount Ellinor
Unfortunately for me, it was not a clear day when I traversed this 8-mile rt hike with a painful 3300 feet of elevation gain through steep alpine meadows and rocky terrain. So I saw none of the breathtaking promised views. But for those of you smart enough to wait for a clear day you’ll be rewarded with unparalleled panoramic views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountain range.
Otherwise, you’ll sweat for nothing more than a wall of white.
Mount Storm King
If you only have time for one “long” day hike in the park make it this one. Clocking in at 5.6 miles round trip it’s easy to underestimate this steady dusty climb to the summit. If you can maneuver past the “end of maintained trail” sign up the raggedy ropes to the true summit you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Lake Crescent far below. It’s definitely worth the risk. On the way down stop off at Marymere Falls to see one of the park’s best low to the ground viewpoints.
Keep in mind not only would it be a waste to try this trail on a rainy day…it just shouldn’t be done. It’s super precarious at the top as is without the added difficulty of mud & slick rocks.
9. You should plan to paddleboard.
Specifically at Lake Crescent. The water is spectacularly clear since there is no nitrogen present to grow algae. When the sun hits it you can see straight to the rocky bottom and the water glows an almost electric teal color. It’s also not nearly as cold as you would think.
10. The beaches are worth the hype. These are my favorites.
Second Beach.
Accessed by only a short wooded walk through the forest this sandy beach is picturesque, with rocks much like Oregon’s famous Cannon Beach, and perfectly swimmable.
We only had a sunset picnic but many tent campers were set upright on the edge of the sand for the most scenic free camping in all of the Olympics.
Shi Shi Beach.
This is the most remote beach on the peninsula and the most famous for a reason.
I also love First Beach in La Push. It’s perfect for watching seals and sunset but it’s more of a small town beach not a hike in and camp beach.
11. If it’s a misty moody day typical of the Olympics the best hikes are…
Hoh River Trail
You don’t have to hike the entire 17-mile one-way stretch to enjoy this dense rainforest habitat. Just walk in as far as you want. Having grown up in Washington State I’m accustomed to the beautiful lush greenery in this landscape but those of you from out of town will really be awestruck.
A good tip for Olympic National Park, or specifically this hike, is to start early in the morning before the crowds and really take in that fresh early morning air. It’s also the most popular time to see Roosevelt Elk in the rainforest.
Interested in Other Hikes in Washington State
3 Stunning Alpine Hikes For The Perfect Weekend In Rainier National Park
Visiting Mount Rainier National Park for the very first time? Here’s a no fuss…
High Rock Lookout: Washington’s Best Sunrise Hike (Free Camping tips)
High Rock Lookout is one of my favorite short hikes in Washington State. Here’s…
12. The most impressive waterfall isn’t technically within the park but it’s worth a visit.
Murhut falls is located on the Southeastern side of the peninsula just outside the boundaries of Olympic National park. It’s not a popular trail. Perhaps because you have to navigate a pot-holed treacherous dirt road for several miles to reach the trailhead. But it’s doable in any vehicle and definitely worth the hassle. You’ll likely have the falls to yourself and can scour the pool at the bottom for newts and salamanders indigenous to the area.
Sol Duc Falls is the most popular waterfall in the park. During the Spring months as the waterfalls spill over the rocks in the forest, it can be an impressive sight. But during the late summer/fall, the waterfall is much smaller. Still worth a visit if you have the time since it only a short, a very flat walk through the wilderness.
13. Visit on a weekday.
Everyone from Seattle pops over on the weekend. The same goes for Mount Rainier National Park. If you time your visit for mid-week you won’t have as much trouble finding parking. There’s one single road that circumnavigated the perimeter of the peninsula and when traffic hits it can be brutal.
14. Forks isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Unless you’re a twilight super fan Forks isn’t really worth a stop. They’ve really leaned into the movie franchise with signs, events, even the ability to rent out the house Bella lived in *in the movie world*.
There are much better peninsular towns to spend time in. Like Port Angeles & Port Townsend. Two towns near the water with decent food and neat breweries.
15. Roosevelt elk, mountain goats, & salamanders are abundant.
You’re not likely to spot bears or moose here. For that, I highly recommend Mount Rainier & the North Cascades respectively. But at high elevation goats are everywhere and down low you’ll find loads of elk.
16. Hurricane Hill is just alright.
It’s the most popular trail because it’s the most accessible not because it’s the most scenic. It’s paved and easily reachable via the parking lot. You’ll get the same views simply driving to the trailhead as you would by actively hiking the 3-mile trail. But if you have the extra time it’s not the worst way to spend 2 hours.
During our visit, we spotted a group of bucks at the summit bedded down near the trees and watched a pack of coyotes stalk the group for several minutes before eventually deciding they were too large to be dinner. This planet earth experience alone made the hike worth it.
17. Vanlife is very easy here. But there are also tons of campgrounds to choose from.
During our week spent in the park, we avoided paying for campsites by sleeping at viewpoints in the National Forest Area, parks in Port Townsend, & residential areas in Port Angeles. If you follow our tips on car-camping or stealth camping you can too. Otherwise, I highly recommend sites near the Hoh or Quinault Rainforest or Lake Crescent for easy access to the park.
Vanlife was easy since there are so many surrounding small towns on the outskirts of the park for groceries & facilities. But don’t expect Utah’s level of van amenities inside the park.
Olympic National Park isn’t one of America’s most accessible parks. But it is one of its most beautiful & unique. Just don’t think that you can pop in for a quick visit and experience the best Washington’s peninsula has to offer. Like a lot of deep wilderness areas, it rewards those who stay longer and venture deeper into its lush green depths. Let me know what you think of Olympic National Park after your first visit!
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