Olympic National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the world and home to some of the largest trees on earth. If you’re looking for a relaxing weekend or a full on adventure, the park has something for everyone. Here are some of the things to know befor visiting Olympic National Park:

Olympic National Park is located in the shadows of the Olympic Mountains. It is the largest national park in the lower 48 and has 4 distinct areas with different weather patterns, plant/animal specials, and terrains! It is also home to many endangered species.

The area was originally inhabited by Native Americans before being claimed by European settlers in 1855. Some of the park is next to indigenous land so please keep an eye out when visiting the area. There are different rules and fees associated with indigenous lands.

When to Visit:

Summer is the busiest time of year in Olympic National Park with majority of people visiting between June and August. I visited in Fall shoulder season and some areas of the park were more crowded than others.

How to Visit:

If you have the time, I recommend making a roadtrip out of your visit! You can start wherever you want on the Olympic Peninsula and then route around the peninsula and visit each area of the park as you go. There are many different ecosystems within Olympic National Park that make it unique from other parks in Washington: coastal rainforests, temperate coniferous forest, alpine tundra, desert scrub vegetation community, and lush green areas! It is also a great place to see wildlife like bears, moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats!

Some highlights & pro tips from my visit:

Climb Mt. Eleanor - It is a bit of a trek driving in to the trailhead for this hike but it is a wonderful uphill climb with some areas of scramble. Bring extra water and foot and a jacket for the summit. On a clear day, you can see most of the peaks in Washington
Watch the sunset at Cape Flattery - This is the most northwestern point in the contiguous US and the last place the sun sets. There is a bit of a trail to get to the lookouts but it is well worth the views! This is on Indigenous land so please get appropriate permits in town before venturing out. All fees go toward maintaining the trails and area.
Visit Rialto Beach & Hike to Hole-In-The-Wall - Rialto Beach is a classic PNW beach with a lot of downed logs and pebbles on the beach. If you get there about 30 minutes before low tide, you can hike down to Hole-in-the-Wall and see the hole in the cliffside that only shows when tide is low. You can also walk out on the ocean floor which is really cool!
Visit Hoh Rainforest - If you are visiting the Hoh Rainforest within the park, I would recommend going during rainy season (late Fall). The rainforest looks a bit dusty and dry in the summer which I did not enjoy! But I stuck around and waited for the rain to come and when it did the rainforest was in its full glory with all the plants perking up. This is the ONLY time I have ever been happy to be rained on during a hike.

Olympic National Park is a beautiful and diverse place. You can visit any time of year, but I loved visiting in the fall when the weather was mild.