Olympic National Park
Three parks in one: glacier peaks, moss-draped rainforest and a wild Pacific coast.
Photo: Adbar · CC BY-SA 3.0
Olympic National Park guide: Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rain Forest, Lake Crescent, Ruby and Rialto beaches, Sol Duc and how to plan a loop around the peninsula.
Olympic: what to expect
Olympic National Park covers the heart of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and protects three very different worlds: the glaciated Olympic Mountains, the temperate rainforests of the western valleys and 117 kilometers of wild coastline. No road crosses the park, so visitors drive US-101 around it and follow spur roads in.
The Hoh Rain Forest receives about 3.5 meters of rain a year, and its Hall of Mosses trail winds under bigleaf maples draped in moss. On the coast, Ruby Beach and Rialto Beach are strewn with driftwood and sea stacks, while Lake Crescent is a deep, glacier-carved lake with remarkably clear blue water.
Hurricane Ridge, a winding drive up from Port Angeles, looks across a sea of peaks to Mount Olympus. Its day lodge burned down in 2023, but the viewpoints and trails stay open whenever the road is. A full loop of the peninsula takes at least three days.
Olympic: top things to do
- 1The Hall of Mosses in the Hoh Rain Forest
- 2Tide pools and sea stacks at Rialto Beach
- 3Lake Crescent and the trail to Marymere Falls
- 4Mountain views from Hurricane Ridge
Olympic: best time to visit
July to September is the driest; the rainforest is green and moody all year.
Olympic: insider tips
- Check the tide table before beach hikes; some headlands can only be passed at low tide.
- Pack rain gear in every season.
- Fill up in Port Angeles or Forks, because gas stations are few on the west side.
Fees, passes and parking
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $30 per vehicle, 7 days |
| Motorcycle | $25 per vehicle, 7 days |
| Per person (on foot or bike) | $15 per person, 7 days |
| Annual pass for this park | $55 per year |
- America the Beautiful pass accepted: $80 a year for US residents, $250 for others (also covers the $100 fee).
- US residents enter free on a few fee-free days.
Checked Oct 26, 2026. Official prices
Gas and fast charging nearby
22 gas stations within 40 km
- 23.8 km Gas station
- 32.4 km Shadow Mountain General Store Gas
- 34.1 km Lower Elwha Fuel
- 35.3 km Shell open 24 hours
- 36.6 km Arco open 24 hours
- 37.0 km DEF Fuel
No fast (DC) chargers within 40 km; plan to arrive with enough range.
OpenStreetMap data, Oct 28, 2026.
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