Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is located in northwestern Washington
in the north central part of the Olympic Peninsula. Experience
a land of contrasts and variety with Pacific beaches,
rainforest valleys, glacier-capped peaks and stunning
varieties of plants and animals when you visit Olympic
National Park. The heart of Olympic is wilderness; a primeval
sanctuary for humans and wild creatures alike.
While in Olympic National Park, discover the forests of
Olympic. Much of Olympic National Park is blanketed in
forests. From wind-sculpted subalpine firs to towering Sitka
spruce, this park nurtures some of the finest primeval forests
in the country. Drenched in over 12 feet of rain a year,
Olympic's west side valleys flourish with North America's best
remaining examples of temperate rain forest. Giant western
hemlocks, Douglas-firs and Sitka spruce trees dominate the
landscape while ferns and moss cloak the trees and forest
floor. In these valleys, even the air seems green.
Hoh Rain Forest
About 90 miles west of Port Angeles, the Hoh Rain Forest has
a visitor center, campground and picnic area. There are self-
guided nature trails and in summer, ranger-led programs.
Lake Quinault Area and Quinault Rain Forest
Lake Quinault's north shore lies within the park, while the
south shore is managed by Olympic National Forest. Ranger
stations, campgrounds, lodging, and trails are available on
both sides of the lake.
Lowland Forests - Magnificent old-growth forests cloak the
lower elevations on the park's north and east sides, with
sparkling rivers flowing through the valleys. Explore these
lush valleys in the following locations: Staircase - On the
park's east side, about a two-hour drive southeast of Port
Angeles. The North Fork Skokomish River rushes through the
valley, providing a constant murmur beneath the ancient
trees. Staircase has a campground, ranger station (open
daily in summer) with exhibits and information desk, nature
trails, including a wheelchair accessible trail, and trailheads
for longer hikes.
Heart O’the Hills - Five miles south of Port Angeles on the
way to Hurricane Ridge, the Heart O’the Hills campground is
nestled among towering groves of Douglas fir, western
hemlock and western red cedar. Hiking trails are nearby,
including Heart O'the Forest trail, an easy four-mile round trip
walk through the ancient forest.
No two miles of Olympic's Pacific coastline are alike. From
beaches (that might be sandy, rocky, or boulder-strewn!) to
cliffs plunging into the sea, you'll find it somewhere along
Olympic's 73 miles of coastline. Wherever you go along the
coast, always carry a tide table and know how to use it!
Mora and Rialto Beach - About an hour's drive west of Port
Angeles, Mora has a campground, self-guided nature trails
and a ranger station that's open intermittently in summer.
Another two miles beyond Mora is rocky Rialto Beach on the
Pacific Ocean. Picnic tables, restrooms and a trailhead are
provided at Rialto Beach.
Kalaloch - known for its wide sandy beach. The Kalaloch
area has two campgrounds, a concession-operated lodge, a
ranger station with exhibits and information desk (open daily
in summer), a picnic area, self-guided nature trails.
Lake Ozette Area - Although three miles from the Pacific, the
Ozette area is a popular coastal access point. A small
campground and ranger station (open daily in summer) are
located at Lake Ozette. Two three-mile boardwalk trails lead
to Sand Point and Cape Alava, both located on the Pacific
Coast.
Mountains of Olympic National Park - Rugged peaks,
glaciers, meadows, and vistas beckon. Examine a wildflower
along a nature trail or backpack over a mountain pass to
experience the scale and power of Olympic's high country.
Mile-High Scenery - Scenic vistas, wildflower-dotted
meadows and gnarled subalpine forests reward visitors to
Olympic's high country.
Hurricane Ridge - Seventeen miles south of Port Angeles,
Hurricane Ridge is the park's most easily reached mountain
destination. The paved Hurricane Ridge Road is open 24
hours a day from mid-May through mid-autumn. During the
"snow months", the road is open, weather permitting, on
weekends. Hurricane Ridge offers a visitor center, self-guided
nature trails, a snack bar and gift shop, ranger-led programs
in summer and a nearby picnic area. Camping is available at
Heart O' the Hills.
Deer Park - Reached by an 18-mile winding gravel road,
Deer Park offers spectacular alpine scenery, a small tents-
only campground and hiking trails. A ranger station is staffed
intermittently during summer and fall. The last nine miles of
this steep mountain road are gravel-surfaced, winding and
narrow. Please use caution and note that the Deer Park
Road is not suitable for RVs or trailers. From late fall until
melt-out in late spring, the road is closed at the park boundary
Wilderness of Olympic National Park - Ninety-five percent
of Olympic National Park is Congressionally designated as
the Olympic Wilderness. Whether you hike deep into the
Wilderness on some of the park's 600 miles of trail, or simply
enjoy the spectacular views of untamed terrain, Olympic
offers a glimpse of wild America.
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK WEATHER
Climate of Olympic National Park - Influenced by mountains
and sea, Olympic has a wide range of climate conditions.
About twelve feet of rain falls each year on the west-facing
valleys, sustaining the temperate rain forest. The east side of
the mountains lie in a "rain shadow", with only 25 inches of
annual rainfall and much dryer conditions.
WHERE IS OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
Olympic National Park
600 East Park Avenue
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone:
Olympic National Park Visitor Center
(360) 565-3130
Recorded Road and Weather Information
(360) 565-3131
Fax
(360) 565-3015
ATTRACTIONS AT OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
If you have only one day to visit Olympic National Park, it
would be helpful to plan your trip in advance. The park is
large and there are no roads that go completely through it. It
is 18.5 miles from U.S. 101 to the Hoh Visitor Center, and 17
miles to Hurricane Ridge.
If you have time to see the rain forests and the coastal strip, it
is well worth the trip. Drive up from Olympia on U.S. 101
through the coastal region. Take a break at the Kalaloch
Information Station and Ruby Beach. From this point continue
on to the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center. To see the glaciers
and the alpine meadows of the east side of the park, start by
driving to the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port
Angeles. From here you need to go up to Hurricane Ridge,
where you can hike or drive further into the park.
More Top Olympic National Park Attractions
Hoh Rain Forest
Crescent Lake
Hurricane Ridge
Hood Canal
Quinault Rain Forest
Mount Olympus
Rialto Beach
Sol Duc Hot Springs
Olympic Hot Springs
Ruby Beach
Top Olympic National Park Restaurants
Downriggers
Toga's International Cuisine
Smoke House Restaurant
Roosevelt Room
Olympic National Park Lodging
Rain Forest Resort Village
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
Lake Crescent Lodge
Sol Duc Campground
Log Cabin Resort
Hamma Hamma Campground
Heart O' Hills Campground
Dosewallips Campground
Collins Campground
Falls View Campground
Hoh Campground
Seal Rock
Olympic National Park is located in northwestern Washington
in the north central part of the Olympic Peninsula. Experience
a land of contrasts and variety with Pacific beaches,
rainforest valleys, glacier-capped peaks and stunning
varieties of plants and animals when you visit Olympic
National Park. The heart of Olympic is wilderness; a primeval
sanctuary for humans and wild creatures alike.
While in Olympic National Park, discover the forests of
Olympic. Much of Olympic National Park is blanketed in
forests. From wind-sculpted subalpine firs to towering Sitka
spruce, this park nurtures some of the finest primeval forests
in the country. Drenched in over 12 feet of rain a year,
Olympic's west side valleys flourish with North America's best
remaining examples of temperate rain forest. Giant western
hemlocks, Douglas-firs and Sitka spruce trees dominate the
landscape while ferns and moss cloak the trees and forest
floor. In these valleys, even the air seems green.
Hoh Rain Forest
About 90 miles west of Port Angeles, the Hoh Rain Forest has
a visitor center, campground and picnic area. There are self-
guided nature trails and in summer, ranger-led programs.
Lake Quinault Area and Quinault Rain Forest
Lake Quinault's north shore lies within the park, while the
south shore is managed by Olympic National Forest. Ranger
stations, campgrounds, lodging, and trails are available on
both sides of the lake.
Lowland Forests - Magnificent old-growth forests cloak the
lower elevations on the park's north and east sides, with
sparkling rivers flowing through the valleys. Explore these
lush valleys in the following locations: Staircase - On the
park's east side, about a two-hour drive southeast of Port
Angeles. The North Fork Skokomish River rushes through the
valley, providing a constant murmur beneath the ancient
trees. Staircase has a campground, ranger station (open
daily in summer) with exhibits and information desk, nature
trails, including a wheelchair accessible trail, and trailheads
for longer hikes.
Heart O’the Hills - Five miles south of Port Angeles on the
way to Hurricane Ridge, the Heart O’the Hills campground is
nestled among towering groves of Douglas fir, western
hemlock and western red cedar. Hiking trails are nearby,
including Heart O'the Forest trail, an easy four-mile round trip
walk through the ancient forest.
No two miles of Olympic's Pacific coastline are alike. From
beaches (that might be sandy, rocky, or boulder-strewn!) to
cliffs plunging into the sea, you'll find it somewhere along
Olympic's 73 miles of coastline. Wherever you go along the
coast, always carry a tide table and know how to use it!
Mora and Rialto Beach - About an hour's drive west of Port
Angeles, Mora has a campground, self-guided nature trails
and a ranger station that's open intermittently in summer.
Another two miles beyond Mora is rocky Rialto Beach on the
Pacific Ocean. Picnic tables, restrooms and a trailhead are
provided at Rialto Beach.
Kalaloch - known for its wide sandy beach. The Kalaloch
area has two campgrounds, a concession-operated lodge, a
ranger station with exhibits and information desk (open daily
in summer), a picnic area, self-guided nature trails.
Lake Ozette Area - Although three miles from the Pacific, the
Ozette area is a popular coastal access point. A small
campground and ranger station (open daily in summer) are
located at Lake Ozette. Two three-mile boardwalk trails lead
to Sand Point and Cape Alava, both located on the Pacific
Coast.
Mountains of Olympic National Park - Rugged peaks,
glaciers, meadows, and vistas beckon. Examine a wildflower
along a nature trail or backpack over a mountain pass to
experience the scale and power of Olympic's high country.
Mile-High Scenery - Scenic vistas, wildflower-dotted
meadows and gnarled subalpine forests reward visitors to
Olympic's high country.
Hurricane Ridge - Seventeen miles south of Port Angeles,
Hurricane Ridge is the park's most easily reached mountain
destination. The paved Hurricane Ridge Road is open 24
hours a day from mid-May through mid-autumn. During the
"snow months", the road is open, weather permitting, on
weekends. Hurricane Ridge offers a visitor center, self-guided
nature trails, a snack bar and gift shop, ranger-led programs
in summer and a nearby picnic area. Camping is available at
Heart O' the Hills.
Deer Park - Reached by an 18-mile winding gravel road,
Deer Park offers spectacular alpine scenery, a small tents-
only campground and hiking trails. A ranger station is staffed
intermittently during summer and fall. The last nine miles of
this steep mountain road are gravel-surfaced, winding and
narrow. Please use caution and note that the Deer Park
Road is not suitable for RVs or trailers. From late fall until
melt-out in late spring, the road is closed at the park boundary
Wilderness of Olympic National Park - Ninety-five percent
of Olympic National Park is Congressionally designated as
the Olympic Wilderness. Whether you hike deep into the
Wilderness on some of the park's 600 miles of trail, or simply
enjoy the spectacular views of untamed terrain, Olympic
offers a glimpse of wild America.
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK WEATHER
Climate of Olympic National Park - Influenced by mountains
and sea, Olympic has a wide range of climate conditions.
About twelve feet of rain falls each year on the west-facing
valleys, sustaining the temperate rain forest. The east side of
the mountains lie in a "rain shadow", with only 25 inches of
annual rainfall and much dryer conditions.
WHERE IS OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
Olympic National Park
600 East Park Avenue
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone:
Olympic National Park Visitor Center
(360) 565-3130
Recorded Road and Weather Information
(360) 565-3131
Fax
(360) 565-3015
ATTRACTIONS AT OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
If you have only one day to visit Olympic National Park, it
would be helpful to plan your trip in advance. The park is
large and there are no roads that go completely through it. It
is 18.5 miles from U.S. 101 to the Hoh Visitor Center, and 17
miles to Hurricane Ridge.
If you have time to see the rain forests and the coastal strip, it
is well worth the trip. Drive up from Olympia on U.S. 101
through the coastal region. Take a break at the Kalaloch
Information Station and Ruby Beach. From this point continue
on to the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center. To see the glaciers
and the alpine meadows of the east side of the park, start by
driving to the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port
Angeles. From here you need to go up to Hurricane Ridge,
where you can hike or drive further into the park.
More Top Olympic National Park Attractions
Hoh Rain Forest
Crescent Lake
Hurricane Ridge
Hood Canal
Quinault Rain Forest
Mount Olympus
Rialto Beach
Sol Duc Hot Springs
Olympic Hot Springs
Ruby Beach
Top Olympic National Park Restaurants
Downriggers
Toga's International Cuisine
Smoke House Restaurant
Roosevelt Room
Olympic National Park Lodging
Rain Forest Resort Village
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
Lake Crescent Lodge
Sol Duc Campground
Log Cabin Resort
Hamma Hamma Campground
Heart O' Hills Campground
Dosewallips Campground
Collins Campground
Falls View Campground
Hoh Campground
Seal Rock
UNITED STATES NATIONAL PARK.COM
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