Olympic
Washington
Three parks in one: rugged coast, temperate rainforest, and glaciated peaks.
Photos
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Weather & forecast
Highlights
Hurricane Ridge
Road-accessible alpine meadows with views deep into the Olympic Range.
Hoh Rain Forest
A moss-draped temperate rainforest of Sitka spruce and bigleaf maple.
Ruby Beach
Sea stacks, tide pools, and driftwood on the wild Pacific coast.
Lake Crescent
A deep, glacial lake framed by steep forested slopes.
Famous routes & hikes
Hurricane Hill Trail
A paved-then-dirt climb to a ridge-top panorama of mountains and strait.
Hall of Mosses
The classic short loop through the Hoh Rain Forest’s hanging gardens of moss.
Kalaloch to Ruby Beach Scenic Drive
A string of Pacific beaches and overlooks on the park’s western edge.
Practical guidance
Best time to visit
July–September for drier weather; spring for waterfalls and fewer crowds.
Typical visit
3–5 days to sample mountains, forest, and coast.
Come prepared
- Plan driving time—regions are far apart
- Pack rain layers year-round
- Check road status to Hurricane Ridge
Good to know
- Coastal hiking requires tide tables
- Some mountain roads close in winter
Fun facts
Olympic protects three distinct ecosystems: mountains, rainforest, and wild coastline.
The Hoh Rain Forest can receive over 140 inches of rain a year.
The park was a World War II coastal defense site and later a UNESCO World Heritage Site.