In this flexible 2-4 day itinerary for Olympic National Park, we cover exactly how to see highlights like Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rainforest, and iconic beaches, as well as hidden gems and the best hikes, plus offer tips on camping, when to visit, and more!
Olympic National Park checks just about every proverbial ‘box’: it’s a dream for hiking enthusiasts and waterfall chasers alike, and also has rugged, undeveloped beaches, one of the largest temperate rainforests in the US—the Hoh Rainforest—and tons of local wildlife.
With such a diverse landscape, planning the perfect trip can feel overwhelming. That’s exactly where this itinerary for Olympic National Park comes in.
Whether you’re here for the hikes, beaches, rainforest, or all of the above, this flexible itinerary helps you make the most of your visit, highlighting the park’s best features over 2-4 days. We even included a bonus for people with more time to spend!
Olympic National Park Itinerary Guide
Whether you simply aspire to the visit the parks in your neck of the woods or want to hit them all, be sure to download our FREE national park checklist by clicking below to keep track of your progress!
Olympic National Park overview
- Open: Year-round (some seasonal closures from October – May)
- Entrance Fee: $30/vehicle, $25/motorcycle, $15/hiking & biking, or free as part of an annual America the Beautiful Pass
- Established: June 29, 1938
- Area: 922,650 acres
ONP’s 900,000-plus acres are uniquely spread out across detached inland and coastal areas. This offers visitors a tremendous variety of experiences, ranging from quiet walks through temperate rainforests to backcountry camping on remote beaches.
Amazingly, the park somehow feels both super remote and easily accessible, about three hours from Seattle, Tacoma, or Olympia by car or ferry (yes, you can reach ONP even without a vehicle!).
While four days isn’t quite enough to see it all, this 4 day Olympic National Park itinerary ensures you’ll hit the highlights.
Psst! Check out our complete guide to Olympic National Park on our sister site for all the info you need!
America the Beautiful annual park pass
If you’re planning to visit more than one of the US National Parks, we’d highly encourage you to look into getting an annual park pass. At $30 per vehicle upon entry, visiting Olympic National Park along with other national parks in the U.S. can get expensive.
For just $80 per year, you can purchase the America the Beautiful park pass. This pass grants you free access to all of the national parks. Plus it also covers your entrance to over 2,000 natural, historical, and recreational sites across the United States.
If you still need convincing, check out our article: National Park Annual Pass: Is it Worthwhile? + How to Buy
Olympic National Park itinerary overview
- Day 1: High Steel Bridge and Vance Creek Viaduct, Port Angeles, Hurricane Ridge
- Day 2: Lake Crescent, Spruce Railroad Trail, Marymere Falls, Mount Storm King hike, Sol Duc Falls
- Day 3: HOH Rainforest, Forks, La Push Beaches
- Day 4: Shi Shi Beach hike / camping
- Bonus: Enchanted Valley backcountry hike
Day 1: Supplies, Bridges & Hurricane Ridge
Ease your way into your Olympic National Park itinerary—literally. Make a few stops on your way to Hurricane Ridge, deservedly one of the most popular areas in the park.
High Steel Bridge and Vance Creek Viaduct
If time allows, stop at the High Steel Bridge, towering 375 feet above the Skokomish River. Not only can you drive across it, you can (safely) walk across it, too. Be extremely careful, as the barriers are very short!
Less than 10 minutes away, the Vance Creek Viaduct is an iconic, now-abandoned railway bridge. You can walk right up to it, but can no longer walk across. The best view is a 0.6-mile walk from the parking area, where you’ll see the full bridge from the side.
Port Angeles
Before getting into ONP, stop in this charming coastal town (which is actually the biggest on the peninsula!). It’s perfect for breaking up the drive, plus you can grab a bite to eat or stock up on groceries.
If you need wilderness permits for overnight backpacking or camping—or bear canisters, required in some areas of the park, you can also get them from the Port Angeles Wilderness Information Center.
Hurricane Ridge
Even the winding, scenic drive up to Hurricane Ridge is incredible! You’ll find several short trails, picnic tables, and the Hurricane Ridge Ski & Snowboard Area, one of just a few inside a US national park.
Good to know: The former visitor center/lodge burned down in a devastating 2023 fire. As of 2024, rangers staff an information station daily in the summer, with water and restrooms. There is no food or gift shop.
Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge
- Distance: 3.4 miles out and back
- Elevation gain: 826 ft
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- View the trail notes
If you have to decide on just ONE of the best Olympic National Park hikes, this is a great choice! On clear days, the moderate trail rewards you with panoramic views over the Puget Sound and Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Most of it is paved, although it’s not exactly easy, ascending 800 feet in just over 1.5 miles. Still, the 360-degree view at the top is well worth the relatively low time and effort.
Note that this area is still largely covered in snow into early summer. You may need snowshoes or microspikes well into June.
Day 2: Hit the Trail(s)
The second part of your 2 day Olympic National Park itinerary explores some of the park’s stunning waterfalls and trails, including everything from low-key lakeside walks to challenging summit climbs.
Lake Crescent
Start your morning at Lake Crescent, a glacially-carved lake known for its crystal-clear water. Several popular trails start here (some we recommend below!), and it’s a great place to have a picnic or rent a boat.
You’ll also find the popular Fairholme Campground, as well as Lake Crescent Lodge and Log Cabin Resort. Even if you’re not staying overnight, both lodges have lovely lakeside restaurants.
Marymere Falls hike
- Distance: 1.7 miles, out and back
- Elevation gain: 298 ft
- Difficulty rating: Easy
- View our trail guide
This short and sweet trail starts at Lake Crescent, leading you through an ethereal old-growth forest to 90-foot Marymere Falls, the tallest waterfall in ONP.
Mount Storm King hike
- Distance: 5.3 miles, out and back
- Elevation gain: 2,076 ft
- Difficulty rating: Challenging
- View our trail guide
Looking to add more intensity to your 2 days in Olympic National Park? This fairly short but steep, challenging ascent involves pulling yourself up a section with a rope. It’s not for the faint of heart, but the sweeping views and sense of accomplishment are worthwhile rewards!
Alternative: Spruce Railroad Trail
If Mount Storm King sounds a bit too intense, the Spruce Railroad Trail is a great alternative. The mostly easy, flat trail hugs Lake Crescent and has an offshoot to Devil’s Punchbowl, a gorgeous blue swimming hole.
Sol Duc Falls
- Distance: 1.6 miles, out and back
- Elevation gain: 255 ft
- Difficulty rating: Easy
- View our trail guide
As short and easy as Marymere but a totally different vibe, Sol Duc Falls is another popular waterfall hike. The trail passes through a mossy, verdant green rainforest and ends at the unique, multi-cascade falls.
Day 3: Rainforest & Beaches
With 3 days in Olympic National Park, you’ll really get to experience the magical contrast between the lush rainforests and rugged coastline.
HOH Rainforest & Hall of Mosses Trail
Most visitors, first-time or regulars, have the Hoh Rainforest on their itinerary for Olympic National Park. Understandably, as its dense vegetation, moss-draped trees, and near-constant drizzle feel straight out of a fairytale.
You’ll find the long Hoh River Trail here, as well as several popular short hikes. To get the most bang for your buck, take the aptly-named Hall of Mosses trail, a one-mile loop.
Forks
Next, head to Forks, best known as the setting for the Twilight movies. The super-small town is quiet without much besides gas and a couple of restaurants, but it’s a fun stop for fans of the series.
Beaches near La Push
Wrap up your 3 day Olympic National Park itinerary day on the iconic, quintessentially PNW beaches near La Push, not-so-creatively named First Beach, Second Beach, and Third Beach.
The beaches here, strewn with driftwood and dotted with sea stacks, are undeveloped but not uncrowded, drawing plenty of people thanks to their (relatively) easy access. You’ll have to hike a little over one mile to two, but you can drive to First Beach.
Like most Olympic National Park beaches, these three all have very different vibes. For example, black pebble First Beach is popular with surfers and was featured in Twilight.
Day 4: Shi Shi Beach
Cap off your 4 day Olympic National Park itinerary at one of the OP’s most remote and stunning beaches. If time allows, camp overnight…it’s unforgettable!
Insider tip: it’s pronounced “Shy-Shy,” not “She-She” (you’re note the first person to make that mistake!).
Shi Shi Beach Camping
Arguably one of the coolest places to camp in the PNW, Shi Shi Beach is not only gorgeous, but also remote, requiring some serious effort to reach.
First things first, you need multiple permits because Shi Shi Beach is on the Makah Indian reservation within ONP.
Start with checking availability for Wilderness Permits for the national park (available year-round). You’ll also need a Makah Recreation Pass, which you can buy on your way in at the Washburn General Store in Neah Bay.
Shi Shi Beach campers are also required to have a bear canister, which you can borrow for free from the Port Angeles Wilderness Information Center. Grab one when you pick up your permit on the way into the park on day one.
Shi Shi Beach Hike
Whether you camp overnight or you visit on a day trip, getting to the beach is an adventure. You’ll have to park about 0.6 miles from the trailhead (prepare to pay $10 per day), hike two miles to the beach…then hike another two-ish miles to the end of the beach.
Once you get there, you can camp anywhere on the beach. The hike is fairly easy, BUT you have to walk through a lot of thick mud, adding both time and effort.
We have a complete guide to hiking and camping on Shi Shi Beach on our sister site!
Bonus: Hike to Enchanted Valley and camp overnight
If you have more time to dedicate to your itinerary for Olympic National Park, we highly recommend an overnight backpacking trip to Enchanted Valley.
The trail is 13.5 miles (one way; 27 miles total) to the historic Enchanted Valley Chalet and backcountry campsites. It follows the Quinault River and honestly isn’t very difficult at all, but because of the distance, you’ll want to dedicate a solid two days to the hike.
You’ll also need a backcountry permit, which are limited, so plan well in advance.
How much time do I need in Olympic National Park?
Ideally, you’ll have time for a 3-4 day Olympic National Park itinerary. Everything is spread out, so visiting this park involves quite a bit of driving. You CAN manage a quick two-day trip, but you’ll be making quick stops and likely won’t have time for any longer hikes.
Pro tip: if you only have a couple of days, secure lodging first, then mix and match from our itinerary to visit the highlights closest to where you’re staying.
Best time to visit Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is a true year-round destination, with each season offering something completely different. Because it’s basically all coast, the weather here is milder than inland Washington. That means winter is a great time to beat the crowds!
Spring and fall bring fog and drizzly gloom that lend the PNW its classic moodiness. If you’re hoping for dry-ish weather, plan a trip in July or August—but expect crowds, because everyone else does, too.
Although the park is open year-round, some park roads and services including visitor centers and campgrounds close between October and May. Be sure to double-check availability for your specific plans before heading out.
Where to camp at Olympic National Park
ONP has 14 developed campgrounds, as well as hundreds of backcountry sites throughout the park. Camping in Olympic National Park is unique compared to many other parks, as most sites here are first-come, first-served rather than requiring hard-to-get advance reservations.
Some sites do require reservations, though, so here’s a quick overview.
- Deer Park (FCFS, open June-October): 14 tent-only sites on the east side
- Fairholme (reservations required May-September, open April-September): 88 sites near Lake Crescent with flush toilets and a dump station
- Graves Creek (FCFS, open year-round): 30 tent-only sites in the Quinault Rainforest
- Heart O’ The Hills (FCFS, open year-round): 97 sites including a handful for 21- and 35-foot RVs, but in the winter, the road closes and access is walk-in only
- Hoh Rain Forest Campground (reservations required May-September, open year-round): 78 sites with flush toilets and potable water
- Kalaloch (reservations required May-September, open year-round): 170 sites, some overlooking the ocean, with flush toilets and a dump station
- Log Cabin Resort RV & Campground (call 888-896-3818 for reservations, open mid-May through late September): 38 sites with flush toilets, showers, and laundry; RV sites have full hookups
- Mora (reservations required May-September, open year-round): 94 sites on the coast, RVs welcome, flush toilets and dump station
- North Fork (FCFS, open year-round): small, remote 9-site campground
- Ozette (FCFS, open year-round): 15 sites; primitive status in the winter
- Queets (FCFS, open year-round): rustic campground with 20 sites
- Sol Duc Hot Springs (reservation only, March-November): 82 sites with full hookups for RVs
- South Beach (FCFS, open May-October): 55 popular sites on a bluff overlooking the ocean
- Staircase (reservations required May-September, open May-November): 49 sites with flush toilets and potable water
And if you need more information, or to see some of the lodging options available, check out our guide on where to stay in Olympic National Park.
What to pack for your Olympic National Park itinerary
- Navigation: we recommend using Alltrails+ to download the offline trail map
- Get your first week of using Alltrails+ for FREE when you sign up using our link!
- Hiking daypack
- Refillable water bottle and/or bladder for your Camelbak
- Bug repellant
- Sun protection: sunscreen, hat, sun glasses
- Headlamp
- Camera/tripod (this one’s our favorite for hiking)
- Hiking layers (here is a great resource if you’re wondering what to wear hiking)
- Rain jacket
- Comfortable hiking boots or shoes
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Plenty of snacks: check out our favorite hiking snacks here!
- Camping gear – if you are staying at one of the park’s campsites
You may also like…
- Best Hikes in Olympic National Park
- Best Olympic National Park Beaches to Explore
- Mount Storm King Trail Guide
- Hurricane Ridge: Olympic National Park Guide
Save this article on Pinterest for later!
We want to hear from you!
What did you think of our itinerary for Olympic National Park? Are you planning a trip to the OP and still have questions? Comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!