Olympic National Park in Washington, USA - map, photos and visitor information

Olympic National Park covers mountain, forest, lake, and coastal areas on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. Choose your route around the places you want to see. Roads approach separate valleys and beaches from the outside; none crosses the mountainous center of the park.

Highlights across Olympic National Park

• Hurricane Ridge: mountain views and walks reached from the Port Angeles side.
• Hoh Rain Forest: moss-covered trees and short forest loops, with longer wilderness routes beyond.
• Lake Crescent and Sol Duc: lakeside stops, forest walks, and a waterfall hike.
• The Pacific coast: beaches, offshore rock formations, and tide pools that require attention to tides and waves.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Tides, weather, and beach hazards

Carry a tide chart and a detailed route map for coastal walks. Rising water can trap hikers below cliffs. Some headlands require an inland route even at low tide. Waves can move large driftwood logs; keep clear of logs in the surf zone and watch the ocean.

Bring rain protection, spare layers, food, water, and navigation supplies on short hikes as well as longer trips. Treat water from streams before drinking it. Wet boardwalks, rocks, and logs can be slippery. Leave a route plan with someone who can raise the alarm if you do not return.

Visit responsibly

Stay on trails and avoid handling tide-pool animals. Keep your distance from elk, bears, and other wildlife. Do not feed or call animals. Coastal overnight trips require bear canisters for food, garbage, and scented items.

Pets are restricted to specific routes and developed areas. Permitted walks include Madison Falls and the Spruce Railroad Trail, plus designated Kalaloch-area beaches. Keep pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Do not assume that permission at one beach or trail applies elsewhere.

Reservations and overnight permits

No reservation is required to enter Olympic National Park. Campgrounds have different booking periods, and popular lodges need separate reservations. Hoh and Kalaloch use first-come, first-served registration outside their reservation seasons while open.

All wilderness backpacking trips require a permit obtained in advance, including coastal overnight trips. Use the wilderness reservation instructions. Paper self-registration at trailheads is no longer available. Some areas have quotas; an available campsite elsewhere does not authorize a change to a restricted itinerary.

Maps, location, and access

US 101 connects the peninsula's main access roads. Port Angeles or Lake Crescent can serve as a base for northern mountain and lake visits. Forks provides access toward the Hoh Rain Forest and western coast. Select the actual destination rather than routing to a generic park marker. Download the park and area maps before traveling.

Construction at Hoh River Bridge can interrupt the US 101 route between northern and southern destinations. The published October 13–19, 2026 overnight closure period has ended. Confirm the bridge schedule before combining Hoh, Kalaloch, and Quinault.

The latest road report lists Mora Road open after its construction closure. Elwha's Olympic Hot Springs Road remains closed to vehicles beyond Madison Falls parking. At Staircase, the developed area and Rapids Loop are open, while other trails remain closed. Read the road conditions for your route.

Walk through forests and visit the coast

Ruby Beach and Kalaloch offer road-based coastal visits. Longer beach walks need route-specific tide planning. A trail's published distance does not confirm that it is open or suitable for every visitor.

Visitor facilities and places to stay

The Port Angeles visitor center provides information and restrooms. Services differ greatly between valleys. Bring drinking water to Hurricane Ridge, where utility construction affects facilities and potable water is unavailable.

Hoh and Kalaloch campgrounds list flush toilets, drinking water, and a nightly fee of USD 24. Heart o' the Hills also lists water and flush toilets and uses first-come, first-served registration. Fairholme Campground is closed for the season. Verify water supply, campsite dimensions, and opening before arrival; a standard campsite does not establish RV hookup availability.

Kalaloch Lodge operates year-round. Lake Crescent Lodge and Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort have seasonal schedules. Confirm rooms, meals, and other services with the operator. Lake Quinault Lodge is in neighboring Olympic National Forest.

Use the detailed mobility information to compare surfaces and slopes. Hall of Mosses includes steep sections and steps. NPS does not identify an accessible route onto the park's coastal beaches.

About Olympic National Park

Human history on the peninsula

People have lived on the Olympic Peninsula for more than 13,500 years. Tribal communities used its lands as homes, hunting areas, and travel routes before and after European American settlement. Federal protection began with a national monument in 1909. National park designation followed in 1938.

Wildlife across several habitats

Roosevelt elk, black bears, and deer range between valleys and mountain meadows. The Olympic marmot lives in the high country and occurs nowhere else in the world. Salmon use the park's rivers, while marine mammals and tide-pool animals occupy the coast. Observe from a distance and let animals move without obstruction.

Contact Olympic National Park

Visitor information: 360-565-3130. Wilderness information: 360-565-3100, option 4. Recorded road and campground information: 360-565-3131. The visitor center is at 3002 Mount Angeles Road, Port Angeles, WA 98362. The mailing address is 600 East Park Avenue, Port Angeles, WA 98362-6798. Use the NPS contact page for questions.