Plan your visit

Olympic National Park Trip Planner

Tell us how long you have, who's along, and the season. We'll group it by region so you drive less and see more.

How long
Who's along
Season

Day 1 Hoh Rain Forest

  1. Moss-draped bigleaf maples and old-growth conifers along the Hall of Mosses loop in the Hoh Rain Forest.

    Hoh Rain Forest — Hall of Mosses

    Hoh Rain Forest · 1.5 hr · easy · 0.8 mi

    A flat 0.8-mile loop under club-moss-draped bigleaf maples in one of the largest temperate rain forests in North America. The Hoh Road backs up on summer mornings; reach the gate at opening or after 3 p.m. No cell coverage in the valley.

Day 2 Pacific Coast (Rialto / Ruby / Ozette)

≈1h 15m drive from Hoh Rain Forest

  1. Sea stacks and driftwood at Ruby Beach on the Olympic coast at sunset.

    Ruby Beach

    Pacific Coast (Rialto / Ruby / Ozette) · 1.5 hr · easy pace

    The easiest coastal access in the park: a short walk from the US 101 pullout onto a beach of sea stacks, driftwood, and low-tide tidepools, named for its reddish garnet sand. Check a tide table before walking — rising tide can cut off headland passage.

  2. Hole-in-the-Wall sea arch and tidepools along Rialto Beach.

    Rialto Beach — Hole-in-the-Wall

    Pacific Coast (Rialto / Ruby / Ozette) · 2.5 hr · moderate · 3 mi

    A roughly 3-mile round-trip up a cobble-and-driftwood beach to a sea arch and tidepools at Hole-in-the-Wall. Walkable only around low tide; carry a tide table and start on a falling tide. Bald eagles work the tideline.

  3. Driftwood and sea stacks at the Mora end of Rialto Beach.

    Mora / Rialto Beach sunset

    Pacific Coast (Rialto / Ruby / Ozette) · 1 hr · easy pace

    The drive-up sunset on this coast: park at Rialto and walk a few minutes to driftwood logs facing the sea stacks. Tsunami-evacuation signs mark the route inland — the Cascadia Subduction Zone sits offshore.

Day 3 Lake Crescent / Sol Duc

≈1h drive from Pacific Coast (Rialto / Ruby / Ozette)

  1. Three-channel Sol Duc Falls dropping into a rock gorge in old-growth forest.

    Sol Duc Falls

    Lake Crescent / Sol Duc · 1.5 hr · easy · 1.6 mi

    A three-channel fall on the Sol Duc River, reached by a mostly flat 1.6-mile round-trip through old growth. Salmon Cascades on the same road draws spawning coho in mid-October. The Sol Duc Road closes seasonally in winter.

  2. Clear glacial water of Lake Crescent ringed by forested ridges.

    Lake Crescent

    Lake Crescent / Sol Duc · 1 hr · easy pace

    A deep glacially carved lake ringed by forested ridges along US 101, its water clear enough to see far down on a still morning. Lake Crescent Lodge and the historic Storm King ranger station sit on the south shore.

  3. Fern-walled Marymere Falls cascade near Lake Crescent.

    Marymere Falls

    Lake Crescent / Sol Duc · 1.5 hr · easy · 1.8 mi

    A 1.8-mile round-trip from the Storm King ranger station on Lake Crescent through old-growth Douglas-fir to a 90-foot fall. A short, steep set of steps climbs to the upper viewpoint.

If you have more time

  1. Subalpine meadow and the glaciated Olympic Mountains seen from Hurricane Ridge.

    Hurricane Ridge

    Hurricane Ridge · 2.5 hr · easy pace

    A 17-mile paved road climbs from Port Angeles to subalpine meadow at 5,242 feet, with Mount Olympus and its glaciers across the Elwha valley. Black-tailed deer and Olympic marmots browse the meadow edges. No food service at the top since the 2023 lodge fire — pack your own and dress in layers.

  2. Subalpine meadow and the glaciated Olympic Mountains seen from Hurricane Ridge.

    Hurricane Hill Trail

    Hurricane Ridge · 2.5 hr · moderate · 3.2 mi

    A 3.2-mile round-trip on paved-then-dirt trail from the end of Hurricane Ridge Road to a 5,757-foot summit, with the Bailey Range and, on a clear day, Vancouver Island in view. Snow lingers into July.

Plans by trip length

One day in Olympic National Park

In one day, Pacific Coast (Rialto / Ruby / Ozette): Ruby Beach, Rialto Beach — Hole-in-the-Wall.

Two days in Olympic National Park

Two days adds Hoh Rain Forest: Hall of Mosses.

Three days in Olympic National Park

Three days adds Lake Crescent / Sol Duc: Sol Duc Falls, Lake Crescent.

Five days in Olympic National Park

Five days adds Hurricane Ridge: Hurricane Ridge, Hurricane Hill Trail. Olympic National Park realistically fills about 4 days at an easy pace.

Best time to visit Olympic National Park

The best time to visit Olympic National Park is spring, summer and fall, when most of the park is open. In winter, Hurricane Ridge closes with snow.

Common questions

How many days do you need for Olympic National Park?

Olympic National Park fills about 4 days at an easy pace — Hoh Rain Forest, Pacific Coast (Rialto / Ruby / Ozette), Lake Crescent / Sol Duc, Hurricane Ridge.

Can you see Olympic National Park in one day?

Yes — pick one area: Pacific Coast (Rialto / Ruby / Ozette) (Ruby Beach, Rialto Beach — Hole-in-the-Wall, Mora / Rialto Beach sunset). You'd skip Hoh Rain Forest and Lake Crescent / Sol Duc and Hurricane Ridge, but it's a full day.

What's the best time to visit Olympic National Park?

Aim for spring, summer and fall; that's when its roads and trails are fullest.

Is Olympic National Park good with young kids?

Yes — the easier, shorter stops work well with little kids: Hoh Rain Forest — Hall of Mosses, Ruby Beach, Mora / Rialto Beach sunset, Sol Duc Falls.

Is Olympic National Park doable with limited mobility?

Several stops are short and low-effort: Hoh Rain Forest — Hall of Mosses, Ruby Beach, Mora / Rialto Beach sunset, Sol Duc Falls. Check current trail and road conditions with the park.