Olympic National Park
Three parks in one - glaciated peaks, a moss-draped rainforest and a wild Pacific coast of sea stacks, all in Washington State, a UNESCO site.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
UNESCO World Heritage
Olympic packs three wild worlds into one UNESCO park: glaciated mountains crowned by Hurricane Ridge, temperate rainforests where the Hoh and Quinault valleys drip with moss, and a rugged Pacific coast of sea stacks, tide pools and driftwood. Isolated on its peninsula, it holds species and rainforests found almost nowhere else.
What you actually see
- The Hoh Rain Forest - the moss-draped temperate rainforest of giant trees.
- Hurricane Ridge - the alpine viewpoint over the glaciated Olympic peaks.
- The wild coast - Rialto and Ruby Beach with their sea stacks and tide pools.
- Lake Crescent and hot springs - the deep blue lake and the Sol Duc valley.
When to go
Summer for the driest weather and full access, though the rainforest is green year-round and the coast dramatic in any season. Winter is very wet in the lowlands and snowbound in the mountains.
Honest expectations
The park is huge and its three areas far apart, so seeing them all means a lot of driving around the peninsula. The rainforest is wet, so expect rain even in summer. The coast has powerful surf and tides, so heed tide tables and warnings.
Nearby
Seattle is across Puget Sound; the coastal towns of Forks and the peninsula spread around.
What to pack for Olympic National Park
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
