Ericka Liam
Best Day Hikes In Olympic National Park – If you’re looking for great hikes in Olympic National Park, you’ve come to the right place. I hiked every trail in the park and even created an award-winning film about the park (see below).
Olympic National Park is America’s most diverse national park. The park has everything from lowland forests, glacial mountain ranges, pristine alpine lakes, sparkling rivers, temperate rainforests (the largest in North America), iconic wildlife, and 50 miles of rugged forested coastline!
Best Day Hikes In Olympic National Park
Olympic hosts the most beautiful rides on the planet! The park is so incredible that last year in our ranking of national parks (as seen on The Weather Channel) it was No. 1 position.
Top 10 Day Hikes On The Olympic Peninsula
My brother Jim and I first traveled with a good friend in 2014 to create a film that captured the essence of Olympic National Park. This is actually the start of our More Than Parks series.
We lived in the park for three weeks, hiking almost all the main trails and exploring every corner of the park. It was magical.
In fact, I loved the park so much that I returned a few years later and proposed to my wife at Hurricane Ridge. The next time my brother and I appeared on The Weather Channel, we did a segment on the park that included the photo above.
It should be noted: Olympic National Park covers many areas and it can take more than two hours to get from one place to another. It is better to plan ahead to make the best use of your time.
How To Spend 2 Days In Olympic National Park: The Best Olympic National Park 2 Day Itinerary — Nichole The Nomad
This hike is not for the faint of heart, as the elevation gain is quite steep. But hey, the views are worth it.
Getting to the trailhead can be a bit tricky. At the top of Hurricane Ridge Road, there is a left turn almost hidden by the gravel road. Follow this path to the end and you will find an obstacle point.
Clear alpine lakes stretch along the trail and mist often dominates the horizon. Look in any direction and you’ll find yourself surrounded by the mighty Olympics – a sight I doubt you’ll ever forget.
If you’re not up for a full hike, I recommend venturing out a few miles and considering the trail as an out-and-back. It’s a must-see at the Olympics!
How To Drive Deer Park Road In Olympic National Park: The Complete Guide — Dirty Shoes & Epic Views
It’s no surprise that the Hoh Rainforest is one of the most popular hikes in Olympic National Park, as it is one of the few temperate rainforests in the world.
Hikers come here to explore the thickest moss they’ve ever seen, wander the Roosevelt Refuge and find solitude. Hoh is considered one of the most peaceful places in the world.
Fun fact: If you visit during the rainy season, you might see the banana slug, the 2nd largest dry slug species in the world!
This beautiful gem is located in Rialto Beach, one of the best beaches in Washington State.
Mount Storm King Trail Guide For Olympic National Park
The walk takes you along the beach for 1.5 miles until you reach Hole in the Wall. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife! Sightings of sea lions and whales are not uncommon.
Call me biased, you’d be right. I grew up on Hurricane Ridge, so I recommend doing this hike.
The best time to hike the Hurricane Hill Trail to avoid snow is from mid-April to September. But if you’re up for a snowshoe adventure, visit in the winter months!
Be aware that the road to Hurricane Ridge is closed during the winter season (except Friday-Sunday and some holidays). If you’re planning to visit in winter, don’t miss out on reading: Hurricane Ridge in Winter.
Planning A Visit To Olympic National Park
It’s worth the short walk for these views. If you’re in the car all day, this is a great way to stretch your legs. Especially great for kids.
Be sure to catch a sunrise or sunset from the Blue Mountain Trail – all the glory and half the work!
It’s a “choose your own adventure” kind of thing. If you choose to hike the Spruce Lake Trail, you can turn around at any point or walk the entire distance to the beach.
We chose to catch the sunrise at Crescent Lake and parked nearby and walked to the beach. It’s hard to get close to Crescent Lake when the sun is out.
Trail Guide: Ozette Triangle Loop In Olympic National Park
The adventure is up to you! You can walk around the lake or watch the sunrise or go for a walk.
Did you know the water in Crescent Lake is so clear, you can see more than 60 feet deep? Unlike most lakes, Crescent Lake lacks nitrogen, which prevents algae growth and keeps the lake crystal clear.
This trail is very popular for good reason – the falls are breathtaking! Plus, the rides are great for all skill levels, so bring the kids. With tons of plants and forest views along the way, you’ll be a happy camper.
This popular hike takes you directly to the face of Marymere Falls, a 90′ waterfall set against a lush desert backdrop.
Day Itinerary For Olympic National Park
This trail is good for all skill levels. You start on a flat surface that turns into trails that lead you straight to the falls. Take the kids, they’ll love it too!
Full of adventure with 400-year-old western meadows and an impressive bridge to cross under a canopy of Douglas firs and plenty of opportunities to climb over fallen trees.
Glimmering as time passes over Crescent Lake is Mount Storm King, a peak of distributed basalt signals whose relatively low elevation compared to Olympia further south precludes the strenuous effort required to reach the summit.
A maintained section of the Mount Storm King Trail leads to the top and brings you great views; Those looking for even more spectacular views of the endless Storm King can follow a sketchy, informal continuation of the trail along a demanding, exposed run.
Plan Your Trip To Olympic National Park
You can get to the Olympics by car, boat and bus. If you’re flying specifically to visit the park, your best bet is to fly into SeaTac International or Victoria International Airport.
There is an entrance fee to enter the Olympic National Park. Passes and fees can be paid at visitor centers and entrance stops.
Be sure to check road conditions in Olympic National Park by reading Current Road Conditions before you leave.
Nature is wild (meaningless phrase of the century) and you never know what it has in store, better be prepared.
Best Easy Day Hikes Olympic National Park (best Easy Day Hikes Series)
Olympic National Park has 14 designated campgrounds. Be sure to read the camping rules before you go.
A forest permit is required for overnight wild camping. Reservations for permits can be made up to 6 months in advance.
We will do it! We share helpful guides and tips to make your next National Park experience even better. One thing that makes Olympic National Park unique is its diverse landscapes and ecosystems. In this one park, you can climb mountain peaks, hike through lush, temperate rainforests, and explore steep, rocky coastlines. In this article, we have collected the 17 best hikes in Olympic National Park … 17 great ways to explore this beautiful national park.
Additions to this list are organized by geographic location. Olympic National Park has four main regions: the northern part of the park (which includes Hurricane Ridge), the Pacific coast, the temperate rainforest, and the grassland. The most popular on this list is a multi-day backpacking trip to the park.
The Best Hikes For Kids In Olympic National Park — Big Brave Nomad
How to use this map: Click on the icons on the map to get detailed information about each hiking trail. Click the star next to the map title to add this map to your Google Maps account. To see it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places”, click Maps and you’ll see this map in your list.
While in Olympic National Park, please follow the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on trail, pack what you brought on the trail, dispose of trash properly, leave areas as you find them, and minimize impacts. Near campfires, be aware of other hikers and do not approach or feed wild animals.
If you’re visiting Olympic National Park with kids, this hike is our top pick at Hurricane Ridge. As you go along this wide trail up the mountain, it climbs gently, but nothing too steep. There are some switchbacks on the side of the hill as you climb to the final summit, but your reward is a spectacular view of Olympic National Park.
Getting to the Trailhead: Park in the lot at the end of Hurricane Ridge Road. Do not park near the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. This will add 2.4 miles to your hike. The trailhead is marked on the map above.
How To Drive Obstruction Point Road In Olympic National Park (+ See A Hidden Alpine Lake!) — Dirty Shoes & Epic Views
This hike begins on the High Ridge Trail near Hurricane Ridge’s main parking lot. Climb to a very nice lookout and then head east to Mount Angeles. Name at this point
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