If you want to go a little higher, which I strongly recommend, hike one of the short trails that start at the parking lot. These notables met in the Olympic wilderness while exploring, and subsequently combined their political efforts to have the area placed within some protected status. In 1976, Olympic National Park was designated by UNESCO as an International Biosphere Reserve, and in 1981 as a World Heritage Site. Ruby Beach is another popular coastal spot offering renowned sea stacks and piles of deserted driftwood.
The shorter Spruce Nature and Hall of Mosses trails are family-friendly and educational, while providing a closeup view of some of the most unique landscapes in the United States. Olympic National Park has at least 175 different trails that allow visitors to hike and explore the rainforest, the mountains, and the varied ecosystems in the park. The trails range from short to long and from easy to difficult providing something for everyone. The most popular trail in the valley is the 1.6 mile return hike to Sol Duc Falls. Arguably the best waterfall in the national park, visitors will be rewarded with dazzling views among old-growth forests.
With the regular morning fog lifting off the coast, come here for memorable beach walks ending at the iconic tree. The Sitka spruce tree is on full display, roots and all, providing an insight into how nature adapts in harsh environments. The peninsula creates a variety of unique landscapes and ecosystems that make up the Olympic National Park. This makes the park a highlight for those who want to experience a variety all in one outing.
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As its name implies, it is also one of the best places to capture the moss hanging from the trees. To get here, you will need to do some hiking…6 to 10 miles round trip, depending on how far down the beach you will go. This paved trail turns to dirt just before a spectacular viewpoint.
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Before the influx of European settlers, Olympic’s human population consisted of Native Americans, whose use of the peninsula was thought to have consisted mainly of fishing and hunting. Large numbers of cultural sites are now identified in the Olympic mountains, and important artifacts have been found. 70 miles from Port Angeles is the home of Twilight – Forks – and Rialto Beach is the place to spot sea lions, otters, and whales. Greeting you will likely be the patented local fog rising above the rugged coastline.
The alpine areas are captivated through the Olympic Mountains toward the center of the national park. Hurricane Ridge is one of the most aesthetically majestic views of mountains. The Olympic range and mountain ridges are usually snow-capped and topped with large glaciers. This means huge amounts of rainfall in the rainforests and snow in the alpine regions. Hurricane Ridge is usually open, making this part of the park a great place to visit if you like cross country skiing, tubing, or snow shoeing. Mount Ellinor is one of the tallest mountains on the eastern side of Olympic National Park.
The driftwood, sea stack boulders, forested and rugged coastline is quite picturesque. It offers photographers and artists a myriad of inspirational scenes. The park offers plenty of resources to get you started on trip planning on their Things to Do page. Our friends at the Washington Trails Association also have tons of great resources, interactive maps, guides, and more to help you find the perfect trail. The most popular time to visit Olympic National Park is during the summer, when all of the roads are open, the weather is warm, and rainfall chances are relatively low. With three or more days, you can road trip around the peninsula.
For something more casual, enjoy a comparatively simple walk to Marymere Falls. In the middle of the Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive, Crescent Lake combines the awe-inspiring mountain sights with a slower-paced lakeside experience. After some time spent chasing hair-raising experiences in the high alpine, Crescent Lake provides the chance to relax.
- One of the top hikes in Olympic National Park also starts here.
- Hiking to the top of Mount Storm King is one of the best things to do in Olympic National Park.
- The tranquil trails through the Hoh Rainforest are truly the best way to turn off the world and escape back in time.
- The 31-mile drive brings you along the forest, circling the lake and river.
- Cape Flattery is the northernmost point of the continental United States.
This park is located on the Olympic Peninsula, a region that home to numerous ecosystems. The smaller coastal portion of the park is separated from the larger, inland portion. President Franklin D. Roosevelt originally had supported connecting them with a continuous strip of parkland. Olympic National Park has fewer amenities than some of the other parks in the US, especially when it comes to supplies. Along the Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive, you’ll have better access to food and gear for your adventures to more remote areas.
Only one percent of visitors to the 6th most popular national park in the United States make the journey to Staircase. Away from the crowds, experience rugged mountains that shoot out of the wild rivers. This is an easy 1.6-mile (2.57 km) trail that meanders through the rainforest, along the cascading river, and features a view of a waterfall. There are chances to see wildlife, wildflowers, wilderness, and waterfalls. This is an incredibly serene hike through rainforest paradise. Home to 60 named glaciers, this national park boasts 73 miles of wilderness coast and more than 600 miles of trails to interest any visitor.
- Greeting you will likely be the patented local fog rising above the rugged coastline.
- The peninsula creates a variety of unique landscapes and ecosystems that make up the Olympic National Park.
- This is also the place to pick up backcountry camping permits and bear canisters for the epic hike you’ve planned.
- Views of the Olympic National Park can be seen from the Hurricane Ridge viewpoint.
Famous for the Tree of Life, Kalaloch Beach requires a brief 15-minute coastal walk before reaching its expansive shores. After eating lunch at Granny’s – the burger and milkshakes always hit the spot – hike the Storm King trail. The 2.4 mile trek takes you up a rocky crevice with pin up casino promo code expansive views of Lake Crescent below.
Hop from Port Angeles to Forks to Quinault or Aberdeen to Olympia, visiting the sights along the way. The views are similar to what you get at the Hoh Rainforest, with enormous trees covered in moss and lichen, but with far fewer people, this was a much more enjoyable experience. From the parking lot, it is an easy 2.25 mile round trip walk to the waterfall. It’s narrow, it has steep drop-offs at a few spots, and has some tight turns as it travels through the mountains. Olympic National Park officially became a national park on June 29, 1938. This park is also designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve.
Covering 9.2 miles, this loop can be completed in a single day. However, there are campgrounds along the coast offering amazing views to wake up to. Along the way, take your time to check out the tide pools, laze by the water, and admire the uninhibited sunset.