National Parks
Olympic National Park: Three Worlds in One Washington Wilderness
Discover temperate rainforests draped in moss, wild Pacific coastline, and glacier-topped peaks all within one extraordinary Washington state national park.
Location:
Olympic National Park, WA
When to Visit:
July through September for the best weather across all park zones; late spring (May–June) for lush rainforest greenery and wildflower meadows; fall and winter on the coast for dramatic storm watching
Olympic National Park, WA Travel Recommendations
Olympic National Park, WA Travel Tips
- Plan to spend at least 3–4 days to experience the park's three ecosystems — the rainforest, coast, and mountains are each 1–2 hours apart by car and feel like entirely different parks.
- Visit the Hoh Rain Forest early morning for the best light filtering through the moss and the most serene, crowd-free experience on the Hall of Mosses trail.
- Ruby Beach and Rialto Beach are best explored at low tide — check a tide chart before you go to access the most dramatic sea stacks, caves, and tide pools.
- Hurricane Ridge Road can be closed by snow well into June — check NPS road conditions before making it the focus of your visit, especially in spring.
- The nearest large city is Port Angeles, which makes a good basecamp — book lodging here or in Forks for affordable options close to multiple park zones.
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