Best trails in Olympic National Park
Situated on the Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park has a diverse landscape ranging from rugged Pacific shoreline with tide pools to temperate rainforests as the land expands to Mount Olympus. The glaciated Olympic Mountains overlook the Hoh Rain Forest and Quinault Rain Forest, the wettest area of the continental United States.
Top trails
- (17936)•Hard•4.1 miMount Storm King is one of the most popular trails at Lake Crescent. Even with its popularity, it does come with some serious considerations before hiking. The trail climbs steeply the first 2 miles to an "End of Maintained Trail" sign. Olympic National Park does not maintain the trail above this point. The last 1/4 mile involves a steep rocky trail with a series of ropes. These ropes can only be used by one person at a time and help hikers ascend and descend this steeper section. The...
- (13276)•Easy•1.8 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThe Marymere Falls Trail is a short hike through wonderful Pacific Northwest scenery from Lake Crescent, through large towering trees, and encompassing incredible river views. It is one of the most popular trails in Olympic National Park. The trail begins by the Storm King Ranger Station and features a nice gentle rise in elevation up to the falls and a pleasant descent. It's a great family-friendly outing in an old-growth forest. Lush greenery and beautiful waterways abound on this short...
- (13390)•Moderate•3.4 mi•Est. 2–2.5 hrLocated at the end of Hurricane Ridge Road in the Olympic Mountains, the Hurricane Hill Trail is an incredible hike to a fantastic viewpoint. The trailhead starts 1.5 miles beyond the Hurricane Ridge Visitor's Center in Olympic National Park. This paved trail climbs to a panoramic view of the Olympic Range, Puget Sound, and Vancouver Island. As one of the most easily accessible locations in the Olympic Peninsula (under an hour from Port Angeles), this day hike is a popular option for...
- (9492)•Easy•1.8 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThe parking lot for the trailhead is at the very end of Sol Duc Hot Springs Road. This is a nice gentle and short hike through old-growth forest to a beautiful three-prong waterfall that comes from the Sol Duc River and captures rainbows in the spray. You will pass over a few spring-fed and snow runoff creeks along the way. Sol Duc Falls rages under a wooden bridge and the hike has a wooden platform at the end of the trail - a nice place to sit and enjoy the view!
- (5557)•Easy•1.1 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrA busy trail through lush Washington temperate rainforest that's great for the whole family. Truly amazing flora including huge old trees (western hemlock, sitka spruce), mosses, lichens, and ferns that are home to species such as roosevelt elk. Look for young Coho salmon as you cross Taft Creek, then wander through a wonderland of moss, trees, and ferns - including an iconic moss-draped archway. This short and sweet loop is the definitive rain forest experience The same trailhead, starting...
- (5295)•Easy•1.0 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThis is an amazing trail through spectacular spruce forests. It takes you to the Hall of Moses and the Ho River Viewpoint under the lush rainforest. The trail begins at the parking lot next to the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center. There is also a large campground and amphitheater at the start of the trail. Keep an eye out for the flora and fauna here; the temperate rainforest is a great environment for huge trees such as Western Hemlock and Sitka Spruce to thrive. In the creek, there may be...
- (8832)•Moderate•3.3 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrThis hike begins at Rialto Beach and goes north 1.5 miles to Split Rock and Hole-in-the-Wall. There is no trail, since you will be hiking on the beach itself. The most important thing to consider is the tide level. Tides change every day and typically have 2 high tides and 2 low tides per day. Ideally, you are doing this hike at low tide. The maximum tide height you should consider this hike is around 6 feet. Otherwise, the ocean water will cover the beach and you will have nowhere to...
- (5458)•Easy•5.5 mi•Est. 1.5–2 hrIf you are looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy some solitude in nature, this is the trail for you. Even though this is a popular area, it is considered the quietest place in the continental US! The Hoh River Trail is a starting point for backpackers headed toward Mount Olympus, but not everyone goes that far! If you do want to, contact the Wilderness Information Center to make a backpacking plan. For a peaceful out-and-back day hike, the first section...
- (6741)•Easy•1.3 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrA short rainforest loop, the Spruce Nature Trail packs incredible variety into just a little over a mile. This is a great place to look for the fascinating phenomenon known as "nurse logs" - fallen trees which provide a place for new seedlings to grow. You can see them at every stage, from the new-fallen log with brand new baby trees sprouting on it to the rows of centuries-old trees whose "nurse log" has long since rotted away, leaving them standing in a perfectly straight line, called a...
- (7800)•Easy•2.4 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThe trek to the Devil’s Punchbowl will take you along the shoreline of Lake Crescent for a little over a mile. At this point, you will see the first old train tunnel. It is about 75 yards long and can get dark in the middle. If you enter the tunnel, a flashlight and reflective gear can be helpful. To get to the Devil’s Punchbowl as routed, you will split off from the paved trail and turn left just before the train tunnel to take a short, unpaved side trail to the punchbowl. The Devil’s...
Visitor info
Valid for seven consecutive days. Fee admits one individual on a private, non-commercial motorcycle.
Valid for seven consecutive days. This fee admits one person without a vehicle, including hikers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Individuals fifteen years or younger are admitted free of charge.
Valid for seven consecutive days. Applies to private, non-commercial vehicles (15 passenger capacity or less). The pass covers all vehicle occupants.
The Olympic National Park Annual Pass costs $55 and is good for entry into the park for one year from the month of purchase. Passes can be purchased at Olympic National Park visitor centers and entrance stations.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
No entrance pass required on these days:
Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The Olympic (Port Angeles), Hurricane Ridge, and Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Centers are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. Orientation films include closed captioning.
Loaner wheelchairs, assistive listening devices, and audio descriptions are available. ASL interpreters are available by reservation. Please call 360-565-3130 or email at least 2 weeks in advance to make a reservation for equipment or interpretation services.
Additional information about accessibility at Olympic National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
The Olympic (Port Angeles), Hurricane Ridge, and Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Centers are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. Orientation films include closed captioning.
The Kalaloch Lodge, Lake Crescent Lodge, and Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort have wheelchair accessible rooms and dining rooms. The Kalaloch Lodge also has an accessible cabin.
The Hoh, Rialto Beach, Hurricane Ridge, East Beach, La Poel, North Shore, Bovee's Meadow, and Salmon Cascades Picnic Areas are wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces and accessible restrooms (except for Hurricane Ridge).
There are accessible restrooms or vault toilets at the following trailheads: Madison Falls Trail, Beach 4, Ruby Beach, and Spruce Railroad Trail.
The Deer Park, Fairholme, Grave Creeks, Heart O’ the Hills, Hoh, Kalaloch, Mora, Ozette, Sol Duc, and Staircase Campgrounds have individual wheelchair accessible camping sites and wheelchair accessible restrooms or vault toilets.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park. Do not take service animals on tidal rocks.
