Standard visit
Olympic National Park on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State protects glaciated mountains, temperate rainforest and a wild Pacific coastline in a single park of almost one million acres.
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In short
Olympic National Park covers most of the Olympic Peninsula in north-west Washington State, almost a million acres of glaciated mountains, temperate rainforest and wild Pacific coast, with Port Angeles as the main gateway. A private vehicle pays $30 for seven days and walkers or cyclists $15 each; under-16s go free. Check tide tables for beach routes. Allow at least three days.
Olympic National Park covers most of the interior of the Olympic Peninsula in northwest Washington State, plus a long strip of Pacific coast. It is managed by the US National Park Service, and the town of Port Angeles on the north side is the main gateway and site of the park visitor centre.
President Theodore Roosevelt protected the mountains as Mount Olympus National Monument in 1909, mainly to save the Roosevelt elk that now carry his name. Congress made it a national park in 1938, and the coastal strip was added later. UNESCO listed it as a Biosphere Reserve in 1976 and as a World Heritage Site in 1981.
The park has three very different landscapes. The Olympic Mountains rise to 2,432 metres at Mount Olympus and carry active glaciers. On the wet west side, the Hoh and Quinault valleys hold temperate rainforest of Sitka spruce and western hemlock draped in moss, fed by some of the highest rainfall in the lower 48 states. Along the coast, beaches such as Rialto, Ruby and Second Beach have sea stacks, tide pools and driftwood.
Hurricane Ridge, reached by road from Port Angeles, gives wide mountain views and summer wildflower meadows. Lake Crescent and the Sol Duc valley, with its hot springs and waterfall, lie on the north side. There is no road across the centre of the park, so different areas are reached from US Highway 101, which loops around the peninsula.
Entry costs $30 per private vehicle or $15 per person on foot or bicycle, valid for seven days; America the Beautiful passes are accepted. Some roads close in winter or for repairs, so check current conditions on the NPS website before driving.
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Key information
🏞️Status: UNESCO World Heritage Site, 1981
📅National park: 1938
⛰️Highest point: Mount Olympus, 2,432 m
🏛Managed by: National Park Service
✦
Plan your visit to Olympic National Park
Dates, opening hours and how to get there are below. Booking ahead secures your preferred day.
Highlights Include:
Mountains
- Hurricane Ridge
- Mount Olympus glaciers
Rainforest
- Hoh Rain Forest
- Quinault valley
Coast
- Rialto Beach
- Ruby Beach
- Second Beach
Lakes and valleys
- Lake Crescent
- Sol Duc Falls and hot springs
What They Offer
Visit duration
At least 3 days, to see one area in each of the three landscapes
Tours & experiences
Guided tours and experiences that include Olympic National Park. See tours
Accessibility
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Age limits
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What to pack
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What to wear
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Not allowed
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Amenities
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Driving
No road crosses the mountains: loop on US 101 with two or three bases. Port Angeles covers Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent; Forks puts the Hoh Rain Forest, Rialto Beach and the coast within an hour; Lake Quinault has lodges and rainforest trails. The Hoh visitor centre is about two hours from Port Angeles (Hall of Mosses trail under an hour).
Public transportation
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Address
Opening Hours
Check tide tables before walking around headlands: several beach routes pass only at low tide.
Special events
No special events on record for Olympic National Park.
Best times to visit
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Best days to visit
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Best months to visit
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Admission tickets
Prices and how to get tickets.
Olympic National Park admission ticket
Ticket prices
$30 per private vehicle, $25 motorcycle, $15 per person on foot or bicycle (7 days); under-16s free
Opening hours
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Visitor policy
Cancellation and prepayment
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Children and admission
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Groups
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Pets
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Photography
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Bags
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Smoking
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Accepted payment
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General
It covers most of the Olympic Peninsula in northwest Washington State, west of Seattle across Puget Sound.
UNESCO listed it in 1981 for its glaciated mountains, temperate rainforest and undeveloped coastline, which together form a rare intact ecosystem.
A mountain viewpoint about 27 km by road from Port Angeles, with views of the Olympic Mountains and summer meadows. Road access can be limited in winter.
Mount Olympus, the highest peak, reaches 2,432 metres and carries several glaciers.
Rialto Beach, Second Beach, Ruby Beach and Kalaloch are popular coastal areas, known for sea stacks and tide pools.
Roosevelt elk, black bears, mountain goats, Olympic marmots, bald eagles and, offshore, seals and migrating gray whales.
Around Olympic National Park you will find Port Angeles and Seattle.
Yes. Use "Ask a question" under "Travelers are asking" on this page. The bookingMentor team answers it, and the answer then appears on the page for other travellers too.
Timing & weather
It is a temperate rainforest valley on the west side of the park, with giant spruce and hemlock covered in moss. The Hall of Mosses trail is the best-known short walk there.
It was protected as a national monument in 1909 and became a national park in 1938.
Across United States, the best season is Apr to Jun, Sep to Oct. Mild weather in most regions.
Getting there
No road crosses the interior. Visitors use Highway 101 around the peninsula and drive spur roads into each area.
You can reach Olympic National Park by car. The route is described under How to get there on this page.
Booking
Three days allows a visit to the mountains, the rainforest and the coast, as they are far apart by road.
Prices & payment
A private vehicle pays $30 for seven days, a motorcycle $25 and a walker or cyclist $15. Children aged 15 and under are free.