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With snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes, magical rain forest, and wild Pacific beaches, Olympic National Park is one of the best. This park in northwest Washington, established in 1938, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with almost a million acres of wilderness waiting to be explored.
I spent three days exploring Olympic with Marisol and my friend Tim. The weather didn’t cooperate with our plans and we had to scrap Hurricane Ridge, but we were able to replace it with a couple other areas.
Entrance Fees
During our visit, we were only asked to pay an entrance fee at the Hoh Rain Forest, while entrance booths in other areas were closed. It costs US$30 per vehicle (as of January 2024) and is good for seven days. If you have an interagency pass, park entrance is free.
Visitor Centers
There are three visitor centers at Olympic. The main visitor center is at Port Angeles but was closed for renovation when we visited. In its place, there was a trailer outside the park headquarters. The other two visitor centers are at Hoh Rain Forest and Hurricane Ridge.
Accommodation
For accommodation, there are several options available including lodges, cabins, and campgrounds. There are four lodges or cabins inside the park and several developed campgrounds. Some of the campgrounds are first come, first served, while others can be booked in advance. Check the website for details on operating seasons and prices.
We stayed in Forks, which is the biggest town on the western side of the Olympic Peninsula. From there, we were able to explore several areas of the park, including the Pacific coast beaches and Hoh Rain Forest. Other accommodation is available in towns such as: La Push, Lake Quinault, and Neah Bay to the west; Port Angeles, Port Townsend, and Sequim to the north.
Restaurants
The only meal we had at park facilities was at Kalaloch Lodge. It was a wet and cold day, and we decided to grab lunch at the lodge before heading back to Seattle. Creekside Restaurant offered a small but appetizing menu. I had clams while Marisol had the lentil soup. Both meals were decent but didn’t exactly fill us up for the price.
Safety
Park rangers take wildlife safety very seriously. Many potentially dangerous animals live in the park including bears, cougars, and mountain goats. It’s best to keep a safe distance from these animals.
The other issue is tides. If you plan on hiking and camping along the Pacific coast, you need to plan ahead to avoid getting trapped by the tides. Tide charts are available at visitor centers and ranger stations. You’ll also need a wilderness permit to camp on the coast.
Activities
Fishing, wilderness hiking and camping, climbing, boating and other activities are available. Check the official website for more information on these activities and a schedule of ranger guided programs.
