Best Day Hikes In Olympic National Park – More than ever, Bertie and I wanted a fun adventure. A chance to go outside and be amazed by the magic of the Pacific Northwest.
Do you feel the same way? The perfect combination of relaxation and adventure of a lifetime is never far away! You can find it near the Olympic Islands in Washington.
Best Day Hikes In Olympic National Park
With 70 miles of wild coastline, endless forest trails and snow-capped mountains, this 1 million acre area is sure to take your breath away. Make it over a long weekend or on the highway – there’s no way to miss this Washington gem!
Day Trip To Olympic National Park: Marymere Falls Trail
In this post, we share everything there is to do in Olympic National Park in various locations, and our favorite activities, hikes, photography, and more. We also share our favorite campsites, lodging options, and other great tips for your perfect trip!
More widely, it is located in the western part of the country, on top of the Olympic Island. The Olympic National Park covers about one million hectares, and the surrounding area is mostly the Olympic National Forest.
These two organizations work together to preserve the region’s unique biodiversity for the enjoyment of all visitors!
If you live far (ie, not in the Pacific Northwest), the easiest way to get to the park is to go to Seattle, Washington (SEA) and rent a car. From the airport, you can spend ~2.5-3 hours driving to Port Angeles to start your journey.
Day Itineraries For Olympic National Park
The best way to get around the park is by car. There is no shuttle system in Olympic National Park, and most of the attractions are a fair drive from each other.
If you want to combine service and camping, our recommendation is to rent a van from Outside. It’s like Airbnb, but for cars, so you can go to the Olympic Islands style with a VW van, trailer or even an entire RV!
For an easy way to plan all the transportation for a trip to Olympic National Park, we love using the Dirt app. Dyrt is the largest camping site, with over 44,000 public and private sites to explore and discover!
Pro members can use their Route Planner, which helps find the best campsites and gas stations on our route. Unlock more pro features like BLM maps + offline browsing and get a free 30-day trial using our Mendiges code!
Your Guide To A Perfect Day On The Olympic Peninsula — Chelsea Peyton
Olympic National Park offers many seasonal activities! However, it is undeniable that the most popular time to visit is during the summer. Crowds are inevitable, but the good thing about summer is that almost everything is open and available to experience!
During the winter, Hurricane Ridge is open for snowshoeing on weekends and most of the Washington coast is covered in clouds for a lush and dramatic atmosphere and some amazing Olympic National Park photo opportunities. .
This season of the Olympic Games has its pros and cons just like any other season. You will have to experience many things, but only some limits are open!
There are many interesting places in Olympic National Park, inside and outside the park. If you’re taking a weekend trip from Seattle, this is a fun way to experience the many unique places on the Olympic Peninsula – perfect for a vacation!
Exploring The Hoh Rain Forest In Olympic National Park
Here are some of our favorite Olympic resorts and resorts, based on personal experience or recommendations from people we trust:
Clalouch Lodge (close to the Tree of Life!) – Clalouch (right on the water but no wifi) Woodland Inns – Forks, WA (small cabin in town, close to everything in Forks, sleeps 4) Olympic Lodge – Port Angeles, WA – (Really nice lodge near places and restaurants)
There are many amazing campsites that you can book in Olympic National Park if you want to spend some time in nature. Camp Sol Duc, Camp Kalaloch and Camp Mora are the only sites that accept reservations, and all other campsites in Olympic National Park are first-come, first-served.
Some of the closest campgrounds to our favorite things to do in Olympic National Park include…
Day Olympic National Park Itinerary For First Timers
Once you are in your place, it is up to you how you set up your camp! Sleep in your car and maybe even take care of some car camping tricks. We’ve also written an article about super quick and easy camping meals so you can maximize your time exploring Olympic National Park.
You can also use our camping checklist to plan the most modern setups, including everything from portable stoves, comfortable chairs and some of our recommendations for top camping.
It’s important to remember that the weather in Olympic National Park can be rainy, so make sure you’re prepared to camp in the rain too!
Camping on the beach in La Push, backpacking in the High Divide, or night hikes in the Ozette Loop requires a permit from the Forest Information Center. Be sure to book online or stop by WIC to purchase the appropriate tickets before your trip.
The Best Way To Spend One Day In Olympic National Park (2024)
Rain Jacket: This is the most important piece of gear you can pack for a trip to Olympic National Park. We have this rain coat and its lightweight – perfect to throw in a day pack.
Rain Boots: Rain boots are not just for rainy days, they are great shoes for exploring the lakes and beaches of Olympic National Park! We love these turntables because of how easy they slide.
Daypack: We trade in our WANDRD bags for our camera gear and Kotopexy lightweight bags for day hikes.
Water Bottles: Rain or shine, it’s important to pack water! Choose a hydroboon to keep your drink cool, with many colors to choose from!
Washington National Parks: Guide + Map
Hat: You can still get sunburned from the weather, so it’s a good idea to protect your head. Choose a funky adventure hat for some style, or a waterproof one like this one!
Camera: capture Olympic National Park games for epic memories later! Here are 8 tips for taking great travel photos.
Layers: Mornings in Olympic National Park can start out cold, then warm up quickly in the afternoon. Wear lots of layers so you can take it off when the weather is warm!
Bear spray: If you are traveling in the country or traveling for several days, we recommend packing bear spray!
Olympic National Park, Washington (visiting Guide + Photos)
Pest Control: With many lakes, waterfalls, rivers and forests surrounding the park, pest control is a must for a summer trip to Olympic National Park. You can wear a bug hat like this one from Outdoor Research to keep it off your face!
Good socks: For long walks in the Olympics, make sure you wear good socks. We recommend this wool from SmartWool for better stains and sweat!
In this article, we break down all the amazing things to do in Olympic National Park. We will share our favorite activities in all areas of the park. That way you can get a better idea of what areas to explore and what to expect at each location!
The Pacific Coast region of Olympic National Park offers unexplored beaches, hidden coves, and plenty of opportunities for adventure. We’re sharing our favorite places to explore in Olympic National Park by the Sea!
Amazing Day Hikes In Olympic National Park
From sun-drenched forests to endless beaches, this is a fun-loving beach. Rialto Beach is also a popular camping spot in Washington.
Just cross Allen Creek and pick up a permit from the WIC in Port Angeles and you can choose from a number of beautiful campsites along the shoreline!
We especially enjoyed hiking the hole-in-the-wall Rialto Beach Trail, a 2.5-mile walk to see one of Washington’s most Instagrammable places. Walk through the truth of the rock and climb to the top for a great view of the beach!
Near Rialto Beach (we’re talking about a 10-minute walk away) are many La Push beaches, ready to explore during your visit to Olympic National Park.
Best Easy Day Hikes Olympic National Park (best Easy Day Hikes Series)
The first beach is the most convenient of the Washington beaches. Here you can explore the nearby tidal pools and just enjoy the view of the famous sea dunes on the beach.
The second beach is the most popular of our La Push beaches, especially for its beautiful sunsets and camping opportunities. This beach requires a 15-minute walk to its shore, so be careful not to leave valuables in the car!
The third beach is the least visible of the three La Push beaches, and is about 5.6 miles from Washington Beach. Most of this beach is covered in mud for a classic Northwest beach experience.
Ruby Beach is Washington’s family friendly beach! The parking lot is close to highway 101 for easy access. Plus, with ease
