Begin your journey at Hurricane Ridge, the park's most accessible mountain destination. Rising high above the Olympic Peninsula, the ridge provides sweeping views of glacier-covered peaks, deep valleys, and on clear days even the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Hurricane Ridge is widely regarded as the premier alpine destination within the park.
Olympic National Park: Rain Forests, Rugged Coastlines, and Alpine Peaks
2 Days
Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse national parks in the United States, protecting three distinct ecosystems within a single wilderness area: glacier-capped mountains, temperate rain forests, and the wild Pacific coastline. Unlike many parks, Olympic's highlights are spread across the Olympic Peninsula, making thoughtful planning essential. This itinerary groups destinations by geography, dedicating the first day to the northern mountain and forest regions and the second day to the rain forests, coastal landscapes, and western valleys. Along the way, you'll experience ancient forests draped in moss, turquoise lakes, roaring waterfalls, remote beaches, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the Pacific Northwest. Olympic is often considered a park best explored through its three defining environments: mountains, rain forest, and coast.
Day 1
Your first day explores the northern region of Olympic National Park, where alpine ridges, glacial lakes, waterfalls, and old-growth forests create some of the park's most accessible and rewarding scenery. From panoramic mountain summits to crystal-clear lake shores, today's route showcases the dramatic elevation changes that make Olympic unlike any other national park.
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The Hurricane Hill Trail offers one of the finest short hikes in Olympic National Park. The route gradually climbs through alpine meadows and ridgelines to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Olympic Mountains, surrounding valleys, and distant waterways.
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Continue along Obstruction Point Road, one of the most scenic mountain drives in Washington. High-elevation viewpoints reveal rugged ridges, alpine terrain, and unobstructed perspectives of the Olympic wilderness stretching toward the horizon.
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Descend from the mountains to Lake Crescent, a deep glacially carved lake renowned for its remarkably clear blue water. Surrounded by old-growth forest and steep mountain slopes, it is one of the most beautiful and photographed lakes in the Pacific Northwest.
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Follow a forested trail through towering trees and moss-covered landscapes to Marymere Falls. The waterfall descends gracefully through a rocky canyon and is among the most popular and accessible waterfall hikes within Olympic National Park.
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End the day in the Elwha River Valley, home to one of the largest river restoration projects in American history. Ancient forests, salmon habitat, and a powerful river corridor create a peaceful setting that highlights the park's ecological significance.
Day 2
Today's adventure explores Olympic's famous rain forests and rugged Pacific coastline. Moss-covered trees, wild beaches, remote headlands, and roaring surf create a landscape unlike anywhere else in the continental United States. This day captures the wild spirit of Olympic's western wilderness while providing opportunities to experience both rain forest and coastal ecosystems.
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Begin the morning beneath the towering canopy of the Hoh Rain Forest. Receiving extraordinary amounts of rainfall each year, this temperate rain forest is famous for its moss-draped trees, lush ferns, and primeval atmosphere. The Hoh River Trail extends deeper into the wilderness and serves as the primary route toward Mount Olympus.
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Mount Olympus, the highest peak within the park, dominates the landscape above the rain forest. While summiting requires a major expedition, viewpoints from the Hoh Valley provide impressive glimpses of the glacier-covered mountain that serves as the centerpiece of Olympic National Park.
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Continue to Sol Duc Valley, one of the park's most beloved forest destinations. The trail to Sol Duc Falls passes through dense old-growth forest before reaching a spectacular waterfall where the river plunges through a narrow canyon surrounded by lush greenery.
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Experience the rugged character of Olympic's Pacific coastline at Rialto Beach. Towering driftwood, pounding surf, offshore sea stacks, and endless ocean horizons make this one of the park's most dramatic coastal destinations. The nearby Mora region provides access to additional coastal trails and viewpoints.
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Venture to the Ozette region, home to one of the park's most remote coastal environments. The trail to Cape Alava leads through boardwalks, coastal forest, and windswept shoreline before reaching the westernmost point in the contiguous United States, where rugged sea stacks rise from the Pacific Ocean.
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Conclude your Olympic adventure by traveling south along the coast through Kalaloch and Ruby Beach, both known for striking sea stacks, driftwood-covered beaches, and unforgettable sunsets. Continue through the lush Quinault region before ending near Lake Cushman, where forested shores and mountain scenery provide a fitting finale to two days of exploration. Kalaloch, Ruby Beach, Ozette, the Hoh Rain Forest, and Quinault are among the park's most notable coastal and rain forest destinations.