OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK TRIP PLANNER ORDER NATIONAL PARK JOURNAL: NationalParkTripsMedia.com/buymag FOR MORE OLYMPIC TRIP PLANNING INFO: MyOlympicPark.com LIKE US AND JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK: Facebook.com/myolympicpark GET THE LATEST OLYMPIC NEWS ON TWITTER: @myolympicnp WATCH OLYMPIC VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: Youtube.com/myolympicparktrip START YOUR OLYMPIC BOARD ON PINTEREST: Pinterest.com/natlparktrips Park Map Get oriented with a map of Olympic National Park and pinpoint must-see attractions and park features. Travel Logistics Learn how to get to Olympic via plane, ferry and bus, plus what to expect from the weather (surprise: It s not always rain). Vacation Plans Looking for an epic road trip? Here are six routes to the park from Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Vancouver and Spokane. What to Do & See Check out our wildlife field guide that includes eagles and bears, plus top attractions in and around Olympic National Park. Facilities & Fees Get the scoop on park visitor centers, campgrounds, backpacking permits and entry fees. Also: A plan for the perfect day. NATIONAL PARK JOURNAL The Experts in National Park Travel
OLYMPIC PARK MAP Explore mountains, rainforests and Pacific beaches at Olympic and Mt. Rainer National Parks. OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK Hurricane Ridge Located at 5,242 feet in the park s northeast corner, Hurricane Ridge is accessible by car and the quickest way to reach Olympic s alpine zone. In spring and summer, the meadows are covered with wildflowers, and clear-day views of the park s peaks are fantastic. In winter (the road is plowed on Friday-Sunday only), Hurricane Ridge is a popular spot for snowshoeing and skiing. You ll find a visitor center, gift shop and snack bar at the base, and numerous hiking trails head into the high country. Lake Crescent This strikingly blue, deep (624 feet) lake sits in the forest 18 miles west of Port Angeles. Because there s very little nitrogen in the water, it doesn t support much phytoplankton, so the water stays very clear; the lake is also home to two subspecies of trout found nowhere else on the planet. Attractions in the area include Lake Crescent Lodge, East Beach, Log Cabin Resort, Fairholme Campground and beautiful hiking trails to destinations like Marymere Falls and Mt. Storm King. Hoh Rain Forest This west-side area is one of the best places in the world to see a temperate rainforest ecosystem. Giant Sitka spruce, western hemlock and Douglas fir tower over a lush understory of ferns and mosses. You ll find a visitor center, the Hoh Campground, two short nature trails and the Hoh River Trail, which extends deep into the wilderness. Olympic Coast The park s wild coastline features both easy-access beaches and remote wilderness. At its southern end, South Beach, Kalaloch Beach and Ruby Beach are just off the road; Kalaloch also has a store, lodge and campground, and South Beach has a small campground. Farther north, Rialto Beach lies just beyond Mora Campground and is a jumping-off point for wilderness hikes heading north. At the northern end, the Ozette area has a campground and hiking trails to the beach, and Shi Shi Beach attracts surfers and backpackers. MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK Paradise This 5,400-foot subalpine zone, located 19 miles east of the park s Nisqually Entrance, sits directly under the dramatic summit of Mt. Rainier and draws travelers for both its wildflower-choked meadows and views in summer and its abundant snowfall in winter. A visitor center houses a gift shop, snack bar, exhibits and the park movie. Sunrise Open in summer only, 6,400-foot Sunrise is the highest drive-up destination in the park and offers amazing views of Mt. Rainier and the Emmons Glacier and the surrounding mountains. It s located 60 miles from the Nisqually Entrance. Up top, you ll find flower-filled meadows, a day lodge with a gift shop and food and a visitor center with exhibits and a bookstore. Stunning hiking trails depart from Sunrise into the high elevations. MAP COURTESY NPS
LOGISTICS Here s how to reach the park from all directions and get around once you re there. GETTING THERE Olympic National Park encompasses most of Washington s Olympic Peninsula, a 922,651-acre parcel of Pacific coastline, towering rainforests and jagged mountain peaks. Elevations range from sea level to 7,983 feet at Mt. Olympus. The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, though some roads within the park close seasonally due to weather. Olympic is a huge park and has many access points, all reachable via US 101, which circles the peninsula. The most popular entrances are the Hurricane Ridge Entrance outside of Port Angeles, the Elwha and Sol Duc Entrances on the northern side of the peninsula, the Hoh Rain Forest Entrance on the west side and the Mora Entrance on the coast. Other entry points include the Deer Park Entrance in the park s northeast, the Ozette Entrance in the northwest, the Queets Entrance in the southwest, the Quinault Entrance on the south side and the Staircase Entrance in the southeast. The park headquarters in Port Angeles is 82 miles from Seattle and 230 miles from Portland, Ore. Olympic is also about 120 miles from Mt. Rainier National Park and 145 miles from North Cascades National Park. The quickest way to Port Angeles from Canada is by taking the ferry from Victoria, BC, only 25 miles across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. TRANSPORTATION Air The closest major airport to Olympic is Seattle- Tacoma International Airport, located about 2 hours from the park s southeastern corner and 2.5 hours from Port Angeles. Other options in the region include Portland International Airport (4 hours from Port Angeles), Vancouver International Airport (5 hours) and Spokane International Airport (6.5 hours). Ferry The fastest route from the Seattle area to Olympic National Park requires taking a boat from Washington State Ferries. From downtown Seattle, drive onto the Seattle-Bainbridge Island ferry; from the northern suburbs, you can take the Edmonds-Kingston ferry. Both ferries run multiple crossings daily (wsdot.wa.gov/ferries). If you re coming from Canada, Black Ball Ferry runs four times daily in summer between Victoria, BC, and Port Angeles (cohoferry.com). Bus Olympic Bus Lines connects Seattle to Port Angeles, including stops at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (olympicbuslines.com). Clallam Transit provides bus service between Sequim and Port Angeles on the north side of the park to Forks on the west side but not into the park itself (clallamtransit.com). GATEWAY TOWNS Port Angeles, located on the northeast side of the Olympic Peninsula, is the biggest and most touristy of the park s gateway towns. You ll find lodging and dining choices, plus large grocery stores and gas. Forks, on the west side, is the closest town to the Hoh Rain Forest and has some lodging and dining options. Nearby La Push, on the coastal Quileute Reservation, has one notable resort. Other nearby towns include Sequim (northeast), Neah Bay (northwest), Aberdeen (southwest) and Shelton (southeast). WEATHER It s not always rainy. Mild Winters, Pleasant Summers Average daily highs and lows for Olympic s coast and western rainforests 90 Olympic has a reputation for rain and true, parts of the peninsula receive 12 feet of rain every year. Moist air from the Pacific moves east and collides with the Olympic mountains, dropping its precipitation on the central peninsula. But summer brings warm, dry weather. Generally, Olympic has a mild, maritime climate. In summer, highs are around 65 to 75 F; weather is often sunny from July through September. Fall brings cooler temps, plus more rain and fog. Winters see moderate temps in the low elevations, with highs in the 30s and 40s and some snow. Heavy snow accumulates in the high elevations. Spring is still rainy but warmer. Visitors should also be aware of the tides when enjoying the coastal beaches. The coast sees two high and two low tides per day. Many headlands that provide easy walking at low tide become dangerously impassable at high tide and can strand unaware hikers. Always carry a current tide table; you can pick one up at any visitor center. Jan Feb Mar Pack your Rain Gear Rainfall varies widely across the park. Here s what to expect in every season. 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Average High ( F) Average Low ( F) Nov Dec LA PUSH FORKS PORT ANGELES Winter 38.3 Winter 50.4 Winter 11 Spring 23.7 Spring 28.61 Spring 4.5 Summer 8 Summer 9.3 Summer 2 Fall: 29.8 Fall 33.1 Fall 8 AVERAGE YEARLY RAINFALL: 99 AVERAGE YEARLY RAINFALL: 121 AVERAGE YEARLY RAINFALL: 26
TRAVEL ROUTES Lucky enough to have some extra vacation time? Try one of these classic Northwest road trips to Olympic National Park and see the region s best natural beauty and cultural attractions. OLYMPIC PENINSULA LOOP 4-6 Days Circle the entire park on this ultimate tour of the Olympic Peninsula. From Seattle, take the ferry to Bainbridge Island and continue northwest. Take the turnoff to Port Townsend, a charming town on Puget Sound. Return to US 101 and go west through Sequim ( skwim ) to Port Angeles, the park s biggest gateway town. This is the closest entrance to the Hurricane Ridge area. From here, hop the Black Ball Ferry (cohoferry.com) for at least a day in Victoria, BC, a lovely town on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It s known for its gardens, beaches, lively downtown and museums. Return to Washington and go west, passing Elwha, Lake Crescent and Sol Duc, then turn northwest to Sekiu and Neah Bay to reach Cape Flattery, the most northwesterly point in the Lower 48. Back on US 101, go south to Forks, the closest gateway to the Hoh Rain Forest and Mora. Press south for stunning coastal driving past Ruby and Kalaloch Beaches, then veer east to Amanda Park and Lake Quinault. US 101 then goes south to Aberdeen, famous for being Kurt Cobain s hometown. Take US 12 and WA 8 east to rejoin US 101 and go on to Shelton and Hoodsport along the Hood Canal (home of some of the state s best oysters). Continue north to close your loop. OLYMPIC-MT. RAINIER LOOP 3-7 Days Visit two of Washington s premier national parks on this scenery-packed trip. From Seattle, head southeast through Enumclaw (a small town with great views of Mt. Rainier) and on to the White River Entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park. Spend at least a few days exploring the park; highlights include seeing the views at Paradise and Sunrise, hiking the Tatoosh Range, and watching waterfalls in the Carbon River area. Stay at one of the park campgrounds or the Paradise Inn. Leave the park and drive up to Tacoma, home to the Museum of Glass, then on to the Kitsap Peninsula through Gig Harbor. Continue on to Port Angeles, gateway to Olympic National Park. To finish, head back to Seattle via Bainbridge Island. SAN FRANCISCO TO SEATTLE 4-7 Days Start in San Francisco where you can check out museums, piers and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Then head north to Redwood National and State Parks, a complex of federal and state land that houses the world s tallest trees, herds of Roosevelt elk and Pacific beaches. Continue north along the Oregon coast through Lincoln City and Astoria.Then cross into Washington. Head north on US 101 to Aberdeen and on to the beaches, rainforests and waterfalls of Olympic National Park. Head clockwise SOL DUC FALLS BRIDGE around the Olympic Peninsula (see the Olympic Peninsula Loop itinerary) to finish in Seattle. VANCOUVER LOOP 5-10 Days Combine city culture with island life on this loop. Start in lively Vancouver, BC, home to Stanley Park, great food, museums and beaches. Cross the border and head to Bellingham, a college town on Puget Sound. Continue south, then east, to visit North Cascades National Park, a rugged wilderness with excellent hiking. Then turn west to reach Anacortes and catch the ferry to San Juan Island, largest of the San Juan Islands. These idyllic retreats (which include Orcas Island and Lopez Island) offer quiet beaches, lavender farms, quaint towns, kayaking and whale-watching. Back on the mainland, head south through Deception Pass State Park and onto Whidbey Island. Catch the ferry to Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula and head west to Olympic National Park. To close, take the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, BC, then another ferry back to Vancouver. PORTLAND LOOP 3-6 Days This Oregon-Washington highlight reel starts in Portland, home to excellent restaurants, bookstores and coffee. Cross the Columbia River and head north to Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, a park centered around the mountain that famously blew its top in 1980. Then take I-5 north to Washington s capital city, Olympia, and on to the Olympic Peninsula via US 101. See the Olympic Peninsula Loop for details on this region s attractions. When you ve had your fill, cruise south along the Pacific coast through Astoria, then close the loop by driving southeast back to Portland. SPOKANE LOOP 4-8 Days Begin your tour of northern Washington in Spokane. Drive northwest across the high desert to Okanogan, then pick up the North Cascades Highway for a stunning, high-elevation drive across North Cascades National Park. Stop to explore the hiking trails and Ross and Diablo Lakes, then continue southwest to Whidbey Island and the ferry to Port Townsend. Spend a few days seeing the highlights at Olympic National Park; when you re done, take the ferry to Seattle and press on to Tacoma. Then take a trip to wine country with a drive through Ellensburg to Yakima. Drive northeast to return to Spokane. LODGING, TRANSPORTATION, SCENIC DRIVES & WEATHER Get the details at myolympicpark.com. PHOTO BY DEPOSIT
WILDLIFE Here is your field guide to six popular species in Olympic National Park. ROOSEVELT ELK BLACK BEARS MOUNTAIN LIONS These dark brown ungulates are the largest subspecies of elk in North America, with bulls sometimes reaching 1,100 pounds and cows more than 600 pounds. The largest wild herd of Roosevelt elk in the Pacific Northwest lives in Olympic, so your chances of spotting one are good. Small herds of about 30 cows and calves band together and browse on ferns, lichens and meadow grasses year-round, while bulls tend to live alone. In September, listen for the eerie bugling of bulls during the rut (mating season). See them Everywhere from alpine meadows to low-elevation rainforests on the park s west side, but the Hoh Rain Forest is a prime viewing spot. Black bears (but not grizzlies) live throughout Olympic, roaming far and wide in search of ripe berries, spawning salmon, tree bark and insects. Look for them in high-elevation fields, subalpine zones, forest and along the coast. Black bears can be black, brown or even blond, and males can reach up to 600 pounds. Cubs are born in the den during winter hibernation and stay with their mothers for two seasons before striking out on their own. Though bear attacks are extremely rare, bears can be dangerous: Never approach one, and scare it away by shouting and banging pots and pans if one wanders into your campsite. See them Along alpine trails, especially Seven Lakes Basin and Enchanted Valley. Count yourself very lucky if you spot one of these elusive big cats shy and wide-ranging, the park s mountain lions are rarely seen. Also called cougars, mountain lions can grow up to 250 pounds (males); females are usually 75 to 100 pounds. The big cats hunt deer and elk from the treetops and favor open, rocky areas and forests. In the very rare event you do have a close encounter with a mountain lion, never run. Instead, wave your arms, shout and throw rocks to scare it away. Report the sighting to a ranger. See them Throughout the park (but you probably won t). More likely, you might spot tracks or scat on the trails. SEA OTTERS GRAY WHALES BALD EAGLES These lovable marine mammals can be found on the Pacific coast from Alaska to northern California, including Olympic National Park. Sea otters are larger than their relatives the river otters, and unlike the river otter, rarely come ashore. Thick, brown fur protects sea otters from cold ocean water. Males in the Washington area can weigh up to 65 pounds and reach 4 feet in length. Playful and smart, sea otters are the only mammals besides primates known to use tools. They use small rocks to pry their favorite food, shellfish, from underwater boulders and to hammer the shells open. See them Along the coast, including Shi Shi Beach, Sand Point and Rialto Beach. In spring and summer, Olympic s largest animal can be spotted off the coast the gray whale can be 60 feet long and weigh more than 30 tons. Gray whales migrate from their summer feeding grounds off the coast of Alaska to their winter range in Baja California, an annual distance of more than 10,000 miles. As baleen whales, they filter bottom sediments to eat the small crustaceans and tube worms that live on the ocean bottom. See them From Olympic s beaches, including mouths of the Hoh and Quillayute Rivers, and sometimes in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Look for them surfacing to breathe and, if you re lucky, breaching above the water. These huge birds of prey they can weigh more than 14 pounds, with a nearly 7-foot wingspan are most frequently spotted roosting in trees along the Olympic coast. Adults are easy to recognize: Look for a dark brown body with white tail feathers and a bald white head. Juvenile eagles are brownish with brown heads. Bald eagles hunt for fish, waterfowl, reptiles and amphibians, but they re also frequent and opportunistic scavengers, sometimes stealing the prey of other animals. See them Year-round at Shi Shi Beach, Second Beach and Third Beach. The easiest way to spot one is to scan the dark treetops for the eagle s white head. PHOTOS BY GRANT ORDELHEIDE, ISTOCK
RUBY BEACH ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS Discover what to see and do in Olympic National Park and beyond. SEE THE BIG TREES Olympic protects one of the most unique habitats on the planet the temperate rainforest. Primarily on the west and southwest sides of the park, the rainforests are home to western redcedars, hemlocks, Douglas firs and Sitka spruces, plus an assortment of giant ferns, moss and lichen. The Hoh Rain Forest is the most popular place to see this ecosystem, and it s well worth a visit, but don t overlook the equally impressive Quinault and Bogachiel Valleys. Olympic also features several champion trees, the biggest examples of a species in the nation: See the largest Sitka spruce (191 feet, Quinault), western redcedar (159 feet, Quinault Big Cedar Trail), Pacific silver fir (220 feet, Bogachiel Valley) and Douglas fir (281 feet, Quinault). SPEND A DAY AT THE BEACH This is no California beach the water is too cold for swimming, and the weather often too wet for sunbathing. But the park s rugged Pacific coast features a stunning beauty of its own: sculpted sea stacks, tidepools, high bluffs, wildlife and endless ocean views. With 73 miles of wilderness coast, there s no shortage of beach trips at Olympic. At the southern end, Kalaloch Beach offers miles of driftwood-strewn sand, plus a campground, hotel, and restaurant. The tidepools are excellent at northern Shi Shi Beach, and Second and Third Beaches offer beach camping at its finest. REACH NEW HEIGHTS ON THE MOUNTAIN TRAILS Olympic s alpine zone encompasses dramatic, craggy peaks soaring to almost 8,000 feet and wildflower-dotted meadows frequented by mountain goats and marmots. The quickest way to the top is to drive to Hurricane Ridge where you can get excellent views from the visitor center and connect with hiking trails. One of the finest high-elevation hikes in all the national parks circles the Seven Lakes Basin; the loop can be hiked in two or three days and offers vistas of Mt. Olympus and the Hoh Rain Forest. DRIVE TO PARADISE Mt. Rainier National Park is located southeast of Seattle, a scenic 3-hour drive from Olympic. For an up-close look at the park s namesake peak, the 14,409-foot Cascade volcano Mt. Rainier, you can t beat a drive to Paradise. This huge subalpine meadow sits at about 5,400 feet, directly below the summit, and features a visitor center, historic inn and miles of gorgeous trails. In winter, Paradise is a popular area for sledding, snowshoeing and backcountry skiing. EXPLORE THE WILDERNESS North Cascades National Park is a hiker s mecca. Located a 2.5-hour drive northeast of Seattle, the park is best known for its astoundingly beautiful hiking trails, azure lakes, backcountry camping and wildlife. It would take years to fully explore every inch of the park, but these trips are an excellent start to sample the alpine scenery. The 7-mile Maple Pass Loop, the 3.7-mile (one-way) hike to Cascade Pass and a multiday hike up to Copper Ridge. In winter, the valleys just west of the park host one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles in the Lower 48: Head to the Skagit River in January and February to spot dozens. ENJOY CITY CULTURE Seattle and neighboring Tacoma are vibrant cities packed with culture, great food and lovely waterfront views. In Seattle, don t miss a stroll through the famous Pike Place Market, a visit to a museum (try the Experience Music Project, the Seattle Art Museum or Pacific Science Center) and a walk or kayaking trip along the water at Lake Union, Lake Washington or Puget Sound. In Tacoma, visit the Museum of Glass and stroll through the arts and museum districts. HEAD TO CANADA Grab your passport and head north to visit some of British Columbia s finest cities. Vancouver is an internationally beloved city with beautiful parks, museums, food and culture don t miss a meal in its expansive Chinatown and a stop by waterfront Stanley Park. Just a ferry ride west you ll find Victoria, located on Vancouver Island. This pretty city just across the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Olympic National Park features the famous Butchart Gardens, the Royal British Columbia Museum and great seafood. PHOTO BY ISTOCK
VISITOR CENTERS AND CAMPGROUNDS Get the details on visitor centers, park campgrounds, backpacking permits and more. VISITOR CENTERS Olympic National Park Visitor Center The park s primary visitor center, this Port Angeles center houses a staffed information desk, bookstore, nature exhibits and kids Discovery Room. A theater shows the free park movie. The Wilderness Information Center is also where you can ask questions about hiking, obtain wilderness camping permits and borrow bear canisters. Open daily. Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center This high-elevation visitor center at the end of Hurricane Ridge Road has a staffed information desk, exhibits, a snack bar, gift shop and park movie. Open daily in summer (snack bar and gift shop open seasonally). Hours vary the remainder of the year. Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center Deep in the Hoh Rain Forest, this center has exhibits, rangers on hand to answer questions and a bookstore. It also issues backcountry permits. Open daily in summer and on weekends off-season and closed January and February. Kalaloch Ranger Station This ranger station offers information on Forks, other areas on the west side and the coast. It has a bookstore. Open May through September. FEES Admission to Olympic is $25 per private vehicle and is good for 7 consecutive days. Entering on foot or bike is $10/person; motorcycles cost $15. An annual pass to the park costs $50, and the $80 America the Beautiful Pass grants entry to all national parks and most other federal-fee sites for a year. The Annual Pass for U.S. Military is free. Fourth-graders and their families get a free annual pass, if you print out the paper voucher at everykidinapark.gov. CAMPING & PERMITS Olympic has 14 developed campgrounds with about 900 campsites throughout the park. All campsites provide a fire pit and picnic table but no RV hookups or showers. Recommended RV length is 21 feet unless otherwise noted. All campgrounds (except Kalaloch and Sol Duc in summer) are first-come, first-served, so arrive early, especially on weekends. Deer Park Campground This small (14 sites), tent-only campground sits at 5,400 feet in a grove of subalpine firs. The narrow, winding access road is not suitable for trailers or RVs. This is a prime spot for exploring the Deer Park alpine area. It s open June through mid-october, depending on road conditions and snow melt. $15/night Heart O the Hills Campground This 105-site campground near the Olympic National Park Visitor Center is open yearround and puts on ranger programs in summer. Sites are in an evergreen forest. A few sites are large enough for 35-foot RVs. Walkin only during heavy snowfall. $20/night Fairholme Campground This larger (88 sites) campground sits on the western bank of Lake Crescent and is adjacent to the Fairholme General Store and a boat launch. RV site fits up to 21 feet; dump station $10/use. Open May to October. $20/ night Sol Duc Campground This 82-site campground, open March through October, is in a riverside old-growth forest and next to Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. Trails to Sol Duc Falls and Seven Lakes Basin leave from the campground. Flush toilets and running water available. Some sites fit RVs up to 35 feet. $20/night Ozette Campground Located on Ozette Lake, this 15-site, primitive campground is convenient to the Cape Alava and Sand Point Trails. Potable water available. Open year-round. $20/night Mora Campground Large, 94-site campground sited two miles from Rialto Beach and the Pacific Ocean, along the Quillayute River. Open year-round; some sites fit 35-foot RVs. Dump station $10/ use. $20/night Hoh Campground Features 88 sites located in the Hoh Rainforest. Open year-round, with running water and campfire programs in summer. RV site for 21 feet; dump station $10/use. $20/night Queets Campground A primitive, 20-site campground along the Queets River. RVs and trailers are not recommended on the access road. No water. Open year-round. $15/night North Fork Campground The park s smallest campground, this 9-site, primitive area sits on the North Fork Quinault River. RVs not recommended. No water. Open year-round. $15/night Graves Creek Campground A primitive, 30-site campground in the rainforest along Graves Creek, near the Quinault River and the trailhead to Enchanted Valley. No water. Open year-round. $20/night Staircase Campground 49 sites in the old-growth forest along the Skokomish River. Open spring through mid- October, with flush toilets and water in summer only. Near Lake Cushman and trails to Flapjack Lakes and First Divide. $20/night Dosewallips Campground A 5.5-mile hike along the washed-out Dosewallips Road is required to reach this primitive campground on the Dosewallips River on the east side of the park. Free Kalaloch Campground The park s largest campground with 170 sites, Kalaloch is one of two that accepts advance reservations in summer (recreation. gov). Sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, near Kalaloch Lodge and a small mercantile with gear and groceries. Open year-round; some sites fit 35-foot RVs. $22/night South Beach Campground This 55-site campground is in an open field a short walk from the Pacific. Some sites fit 35- foot RVs. No potable water, but flush toilets available. Open May-September. $15/night BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING Permits are required for all overnight stays in the wilderness. Get yours at the Wilderness Information Center at Olympic National Park Visitor Center, the Quinault Wilderness Information Center, or the Staircase Ranger Station (if you won t be passing near any of those spots, you can call 360-565-3100 to arrange one ahead of time). Some campsites require reservations; make them by submitting a reservation form via mail or fax starting on March 15 (some quota sites are available for walk-in permits). For reservation forms and fee info, visit nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-reservations.htm. PLAN YOUR TRIP! Get started on your dream vacation in the Pacific Northwest at myolympicpark.com/plan-yourtrip.
PARK ZONES Olympic National Park contains four distinct and remarkable ecosystems and, it s possible to see all four in one day. Here s what to expect. PERFECT DAY Got 24 hours? Get the most out of them with this guide. RAINFOREST PATH COAST Olympic features 73 miles of the wild Washington coast a storm-swept strip of sand, rock and massive trees. Here, you ll find tidepools filled with colorful sea stars, hermit crabs and anemones; looming sea stacks and rock arches; steep headland cliffs and wildlife like whales, seals, sea lions, otters, raccoons and eagles. It s possible to hike most of the length of the coast uninterrupted, though changing tides make the journey tricky. Drive-up beaches include Rialto, Kalaloch and Ruby Beaches. For a short hike, head to Third, Second or Shi Shi Beaches. To escape civilization on a wilderness beach, experienced backpackers can travel to the Chilean or Norwegian Memorials north of Rialto. LOWLAND FOREST Huge trees older than 200 years blanket much of the park s lower elevations, accentuated by big rivers and scenic lakes. Species like Douglas fir, western hemlock and western redcedar provide a canopy over huckleberries, salal and trillium and wildlife such as spotted owls and rare fishers move among the trunks. To explore the lowland forest, head to the Elwha, Sol Duc and Staircase areas. Lake Crescent, one of the park s prettiest lakes, is also part of this ecosystem. TEMPERATE RAINFOREST Green, otherworldly landscapes flourish on the park s west side where abundant rainfall and moderate year-round temperatures support the rare temperate rainforest ecosystem. Here, Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, western hemlock and western redcedar grow to gargantuan size (250 feet or taller) and old age (hundreds of years). Roosevelt elk, deer and river otters make their homes in the forest. The best-known place to experience the temperate rainforest is the Hoh area, but the Bogachiel, Quinault and Queets areas are equally stunning with more solitude. MOUNTAINS Dramatic, glacier-topped peaks dominate Olympic s central zone. Journeying up to these heights brings fantastic views of the ocean, forests, lakes and surrounding peaks, plus a chance to spot black bears, mountain goats, and marmots. Stellar hiking trails trace ridgelines and meadows throughout this ecosystem, and mountaineers can attempt the park s tallest peaks like 7,980-foot Mt. Olympus. Top mountain environments include Hurricane Ridge, Royal Basin, Deer Park and Anderson Pass. WAKE UP IN THE HIGH COUNTRY Start your perfect day with a mountain sunrise. Pick up an early coffee in Port Angeles and head up to Hurricane Ridge before dawn to catch the morning rays lighting up the park. Linger and enjoy the view from the visitor center observation deck, or hike the 5.2-mile (round-trip) trail to the aptly named Sunrise Ridge for even better vistas. LEARN ABOUT THE PARK Drive back to sea level to the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles. There, you can pick up park information, chat with rangers, peruse exhibits on flora and fauna in the park, shop at the bookstore and watch the 25-minute park movie, Mosaic of Discovery. SEE A WATERFALL Head west to walk within spray range of one of the park s cascades. Marymere Falls is an easy, 1.8-mile (round-trip) hike from the Storm King Ranger Station; the 200-foot-tall waterfall cascades down a lush ravine. Or go on to Sol Duc Falls, a raging, 50-foot cascade that plunges into a narrow chasm about a mile from the Sol Duc trailhead. PADDLE LAKE CRESCENT Bright, clear Lake Crescent is a gorgeous place to spend a sunny day (or a rainy one!). Rent a kayak or canoe from Lake Crescent Lodge and paddle out to explore the shoreline. Fishing is also popular here; look out for two distinct subspecies of trout swimming these waters. After your paddle, stop for lunch at the lodge restaurant (ask for seats on the screened-in porch for lake views). MARVEL AT THE RAINFOREST Continue west and south to the Hoh Rain Forest, a primeval destination dominated by enormous trees and the verdant, open canopy beneath them. Stop by the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center to learn about the area s plants and animals. Then walk a trail to crane your neck at the giant trees. If time is short, hike the.8-mile Hall of Mosses Trail or the 1.2-mile Spruce Nature Trail for a sampler. If you have more time, take the Hoh River Trail, which extends 17 miles into the forest. CATCH A COASTAL SUNSET Nothing ends the day like a classic Pacific sunset. Catch the continent s last rays on your pick of Olympic s beaches. Rialto Beach is a drive-up and offers huge driftwood logs for seats. If the tides are favorable, you can also walk north 2 miles to Hole-in-the-Wall Arch. Or take the.7-mile trail through the forest to Second Beach for a remote, wilder sunset framed by sea stacks. PHOTO BY DEPOSIT
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